The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has 268 overseas missions operating in 168 counties and territories and is the voice of the UK government across the world. Take a look at some of the biggest priorities we’ve been working on this year.
EU Referendum
On June 23rd, the British people voted to leave the European Union. This was followed by a change in Government leadership, including a new Prime Minister, Theresa May, and Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.
As we prepare to leave the EU, the message we take to the world is this: Britain remains open for business and active on the world stage. The Prime Minister has undertaken landmark visits to both India and the Gulf, and has represented the UK at the G20 in China and the UN General Assembly in New York.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has visited 23 countries and met over 50 world leaders since his appointment in July, forging enhanced diplomatic relationships with the world, as a truly global Britain.
Supporting Syria and the Region
In Syria, a humanitarian catastrophe is taking place before our eyes. In a conflict that has now lasted longer than the First World War, and claimed the lives of over 400,000 people, the need for a negotiated political solution that establishes a democratic Syria and brings peace for all Syrians is desperately needed. The UK is continuously supporting diplomatic efforts to bring an an end to the violence in Syria and secure a lasting political settlement.
We are also providing over £2.3 billion to those affected by the Syrian conflict both inside Syria and neighbouring countries – our largest ever response to a humanitarian crisis. In February, the UK co-hosted the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference which brought together world leaders from around the globe to raise over $12 billion in pledges to help millions of people whose lives have been torn apart by the devastating war.
Defeating Daesh
Daesh poses a threat to UK national security as it seeks to expand its terror network, and has claimed responsibility for some of the most devastating terrorist attacks seen in recent years. But it is a fight they are losing. The UK is a leading member of the Global Coalition – a unified body of 68 international partners dedicated to defeating Daesh. Members are committed to countering Daesh’s global ambitions and dismantling its networks through targeted military action, cutting off finances and reducing Daesh’s propaganda online.
Military progress in Mosul and the liberation of Dabiq and Manbij in Syria demonstrate that our strategy is working. Daesh continue to lose territory in Iraq and Syria and the flow of foreign fighters has fallen by up to 90%. As well as military support the UK is providing humanitarian assistance to all those affected by Daesh’s brutality – since 2014, the UK has donated £170m to Iraq.
Protecting British people abroad
Unfortunately this year once again saw a number of major international incidents that have affected British people and other citizens overseas. The Foreign Office has continued to quickly and effectively respond to these events. Our crisis centre and emergency response teams have helped British nationals caught up in a variety of crises – from the terror attacks in Nice, Brussels, Istanbul and Berlin, to political upheavals in South Sudan and Turkey, and the devastating Hurricane in Haiti. Our global network is ready 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to respond to calls for help from British people overseas. This year alone we responded to over 300,000 Consular telephone enquiries from British nationals.
2016 saw the Foreign Office step up their efforts to help Brits stay safe overseas, making them Travel Aware. By embracing new partners and digital technology we have provided guidance to Brits travelling to the world’s major sporting events, including the Rio Olympic Games and Euro 2016.
Promoting Human Rights and Democracy
The promotion of human rights is a core part of the everyday work of the Foreign Office and is the responsibility of all British diplomats around the world. Human rights are a fundamental value and core to the UK’s national interests.
The Foreign Office successfully campaigned for the UK’s re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council in October and we have also doubled our Human Rights and Democracy fund to £10.6 million. We prioritise our support on three human rights themes: democratic values and the rule of law, human rights for a stable world and working to strengthen the rules-based international system. We focus this activity in 30 countries where we believe the UK can have the most impact on human rights.
Reflecting on these themes, the UK has been pivotal in supporting human rights on the international stage, including taking a lead role at the UN on combating early and forced marriage, protecting freedom of religion or belief, countering extremism and working for global abolition of the death penalty.
Britain on the world stage
In September, the 193 countries of the United Nations came together in New York for the annual General Assembly – the biggest diplomatic event of the calendar year. As one of only 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council and the only major power that meets both UN development and NATO defence targets our commitment to extensive cooperation with international partners remains steadfast.
The UK delegation, led by the Prime Minister, hosted summits on modern slavery, ending sexual violence in conflict and bringing Daesh to justice. The UN Security Council also unanimously adopted a UK drafted and ground breaking resolution to tackle global aviation security threats.
Throughout the year the UK played a leading role at other major multilateral events including the NATO Summit, G7 and G20. In November, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson ratified the Paris Agreement, the first ever truly global climate change agreement which the UK was instrumental in helping to secure.
Colombia State Visit
In November President Juan Manuel Santos, winner of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize, visited the UK on an official state visit, the first ever by a Colombian President. The UK has strong ties with Colombia, and a longstanding relationship built over 200 years. The two countries work closely on a range of issues, including trade, investment, security and climate change.
Colombia is emerging from the longest running internal conflict in the Western hemisphere, and has recently ratified a peace deal between the Government and the FARC. The UK has played a central role in supporting the process, and the two countries will continue to work together closely as Colombia moves towards a lasting peace.
Promoting Britain
The Foreign Office has continued to play its role in championing British business, culture and innovation around the world.
Our embassies and overseas missions have been pivotal in celebrating the UK’s cultural institutions including Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday and the legacy of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of his death. Through the GREAT campaign they have promoted Britain as great place to visit, study and do business and they shared Team GB’s historical Olympic and Paralympic success in Rio alongside the best of British brands.
2016 was another record-breaking year for our Chevening Scholarship programme with 1,900 new scholars and fellows offered places at British universities as well as 25% increase in places for our US facing Marshall Scholarship programme – cementing long-term partnerships with the world’s next generation of leaders.