Author: HM Government

Today’s briefing occurs at an important time for the Mechanism.   In the first half of 2026 Council Members will engage in detailed discussions on the future of the Mechanism.   Whilst the details of those discussions will take place over the months ahead there are some general principles which, in our view, should guide the work […]

Good morning. It’s great to see you all today. The UN’s theme this year – “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials” – couldn’t be more timely. And it really resonates with me after my visit to Jamaica to see the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, just five short days ago. We often speak about our basic human […]

The UK remains a strong supporter of OSCE cooperation with the UN. This year marked 50 years since the signing of the Helsinki Final Act. It enshrined a set of principles on how states should treat each other and their citizens. The anniversary event in Helsinki should have celebrated decades of peace and stability these […]

[English translation of statement delivered in French.] I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States that are members of the Informal Group of Friends on the Safety of Journalists: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and my own country, France. […]

Governments, civil society and the private sector to gather in London next year to accelerate fight against corruption and dirty money, as details of major summit outlined by Foreign Secretary.   Foreign Secretary calls out illicit finance as the ‘lifeblood of crime’ on UK streets and promises to ‘take the fight to the corrupt’. New funding for […]

England and Scotland navigate football coming home as FIFA World Cup draw takes place in Washington DC today. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updates travel advice to help thousands of expected travelling football fans enjoy next summer’s tournament. Travellers urged to check visa requirements, arrange insurance and sign up for FCDO email alerts. As […]

Today is a moment to reflect on the plight of Ukrainian children who have become victims of Russia’s illegal invasion. We all have an obligation to protect children and must not allow Russia to use them as pawns of war.   According to the Government of Ukraine, corroborated by independent mechanisms, more than 19,500 Ukrainian children have […]

Introduction   The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (“the UK”) and the Netherlands are strong allies and close partners. We both value democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and cooperate closely on foreign and security policy. We will continue to strengthen and sustain a free, fair, rules-based global economic order. In their meeting of 6 February 2025, our Prime […]

Thank you it is a great pleasure to be here today and to be here among so many impressive leaders and so many women who, as pioneers, have refused to accept the world as it is and whose determination and courage have done so much to change it.    Women who have changed lives here and across the globe as a result of their strength and their determination.    And we’ve seen the hard won gains of that work that have echoed right through history as a result.   But now coming together as […]

Thank you, Professor Kapur. And also to the High Commissioners of India, Singapore and Australia for bringing us here with King’s College today. And a particular thank you to Your Excellency Stephen Smith. With your posting coming to an end, we are grateful to you for your huge contribution and indeed your thought leadership on the […]