Author: HM Government

The United Kingdom thanks High Representative Christian Schmidt for his dedicated service supporting peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and for his contribution to implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement.  The Peace Implementation Council will now take forward the selection and appointment of a successor.  We reiterate our support for a fully empowered High Representative […]

Thank you Chair and thank you to all the panellists for their insightful remarks.    I would like to thank Federal Councillor Cassis and the Swiss Chairpersonship for convening us today, and for framing today’s discussions around responsibility and cooperation. In the context of rapidly evolving technologies, strengthening dialogue, reducing misunderstandings and developing common approaches are indispensable to building trust and securing the foundations for security.   We must however acknowledge […]

New UK sanctions target organisations and individuals who threaten international and UK security.  Action demonstrates UK commitment to countering Iranian threats to UK national security, regional stability, and the global economy.  Sanctions will deter attacks against dissidents overseas and disrupt illicit revenue generation for the Iranian regime. Organisations and individuals enabling hostile Iranian activity are amongst those being targeted under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, today (11 May). The measures come in response to Iranian action against global security and its use of […]

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is launching the next phase of its flagship economic development programme, the International Growth Centre (IGC). The IGC generates independent, rigorous research to inform economic growth policy making in low and middle-income countries. In September 2026, the IGC will enter a new phase to maximise impact and sustainability, characterised […]

This page lists the entities and individuals designated on 11 May 2026 under the UK’s Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.  Entities and individuals involved in the forced deportation, re-education, and militarisation of Ukrainian children:  Yulia Sergeevna VELICHKO  Nadezhda Nikolaevna BOLTENKO   Andrey Alexandrovich USTINSKIKH  Grigory Alexandrovich GUROV  Vladislav Nikolaevich GOLOVIN  Mikhail Yuryevich DRUZHININ   Olga Sergeyevna DRUZHININA  Iryna Viktorivna KRAVCHENKO   […]

The UK has sanctioned 85 individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children, alongside those driving Russia’s information warfare campaigns  In some of the toughest action to date, the UK is exposing and combatting hostile Russian activity across multiple fronts, including recent attempts to interfere in Armenian elections  An additional £1.2 million in UK funding will help identify and return Ukrainian children to their homes and communities The UK is today [Monday 11 May] exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile […]

Colleagues, at the outset, I want to underline UK concern at rising conflict in the region and beyond.  I also want to stress that peaceful co-existence between communities is essential.  The United Kingdom was shocked by the despicable antisemitic terror attack in London last week.  There is no place in our societies for racially motivated […]

8 May Statement from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) The UK government continues to work with international authorities in preparing for the arrival of British nationals to the UK from the MV Hondius cruise ship where an outbreak of Hantavirus […]

On behalf of the Democracy Defender Initiative, I would like to inform the Permanent Council of the following matter.   In 2016, the Democracy Defender Award was established to recognize the enormous contribution that civil society makes to defending and promoting democracy in the OSCE region.  The Award honours outstanding contributions to upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.   In […]

First, the United Kingdom underscores UNISFA’s critical role in protecting civilians and maintaining stability in a fragile environment.  It is essential that UNISFA is able to deliver its mandate in full.  We are concerned by continued restrictions on UNISFA’s freedom of movement, the limited progress by the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities against key mandate […]