Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

11th October 2024 Vienna

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by Corinne Kitsell

Ambassador and UK Permanent Representative to IAEA and CTBTO

Busting the gender myths – women and organised crime

UNODC

We all hold biases and stereotypes. Whether we realise it or not. And it’s good to question ourselves on what we believe to be true! Especially when it comes to gender roles and norms. In my work as Ambassador to the UN in Vienna, I see this in the way different countries do or don’t […]

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11th October 2024 Belgrade, Serbia

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by Edward Ferguson

British Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia

One Year In

­ My family and I arrived in Serbia a year ago, and we feel so lucky to be able to call this beautiful country home. We have travelled a lot.  We have learned a lot.  And everywhere we have gone, we have met amazing people doing amazing things. I see so much potential in this […]

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11th October 2024 Canberra, Australia

Vicki Treadell

Vicki Treadell

British High Commissioner to Australia

International Day of the Girl Child: Enabling Girls to Shape Their Own Futures

Group of women gathered for a photo.

As we celebrate International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October, we are reminded of the extraordinary potential, strength, and resilience of girls around the world. This year’s theme is ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’—a future driven by the voices of girls themselves. This vision calls for more than just an acknowledgment of the […]

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4th October 2024 Canberra, Australia

World Space Week – Celebrating the Partnership between the UK and Australia

Taking place annually from October 4th-10th, World Space Week is celebrated internationally in support of space exploration and technology innovation. In acknowledgement of this event, we reflect on the achievements of the UK and Australia and the collaborative ambition to strengthen both space sectors. Signed in 2021, the United Kingdom and Australia established the UK-Australia […]

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25th July 2024 Geneva, Switzerland

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by Bob Last

Head, UK Mission Political and Human Rights Team

Wearing Thin

Among my blessings in life is having an Irish mother-in law and I’m just back from a post-Council trip where my wife did some digging into her family history.  A good number of her relatives were refugees fleeing persecution in both Eastern and Central Europe from the late 19th Century.  Ireland was where they were […]

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1st July 2024 Kyiv, Ukraine

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by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

Crimea: a place to remember, learn from and return to

Crimea is a special and, in many regards, unique place in Ukraine. It has a distinctive climate, breathtaking views of sea and mountains that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. It has a multi-layered history with a rich heritage stretching from ancient to modern times. This is the context that created an incredibly […]

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17th May 2024 United Kingdom

Lord Herbert of South Downs

by Nick Herbert

PM's Special Envoy on LGBT+ Rights

Reflections on IDAHOBIT: International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

The world is increasingly polarised on LGBT rights.  There is progress to celebrate, but concern is also growing over a rollback of rights which is accelerating, not just in Africa and the global south, but also in parts of the global north. In the past year, we have seen increased attempts to introduce anti-LGBT legislation […]

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13th May 2024 Canberra, Australia

Vicki Treadell

Vicki Treadell

British High Commissioner to Australia

Value with Values: UK Commitment to Climate Partnership

British High Commissioner to Australia Vicki Treadell addresses attendees at the Australian British Chamber of Commerce's Energy Transition and Investment Summit in Sydney.

The UK is committed to strengthening the UK-Australia climate partnership and collaborating internationally to tackle climate change and ensure energy security. With rising temperatures and worsened extreme weather events leaving people hungry and forcing them from their homes, these challenges cannot be ignored. Last week, I addressed key players across industry and government at the […]

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25th April 2024 Canberra, Australia

Brigadier Nigel Best OBE

Brigadier Nigel Best OBE

Defence Advisor, Australia

Reflect & Remember: Anzac Day 2024

Over the past two years I have had the privilege of attending Anzac Day services in Canberra and Perth. Each year it’s an opportunity to reflect and remember those who have served and lost their lives to defend our freedom. There is a long tradition of our armed forces marking this important day together. On […]

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23rd April 2024 Panama

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by James Dauris

British Ambassador, Panama

Good English – A Key to Panama’s Future Success

Speech delivered on April 23, 2024 at the Launch of National Teachers Network & Training of Trainers Programme  It’s a pleasure to be with you at this launch of the National Teachers Network & Training of Trainers Program. Congratulations to everyone involved in getting this exciting initiative to this point, and to everyone who is […]

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