11th May 2026
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: turning a global ocean agreement into UK law
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
21st November 2016 Mogadishu, Somalia
UK support to Somalia’s Justice System’ – governance and Rule of Law go beyond the justice programmes
Good governance, economic development and security forces that maintain order without repression are among the fundamental building blocks of a stable, peaceful democracy. But it’s the rule of law, and by extension, competent, capable and independent justice systems, that are the mortar holding it all together. The UK is driving a number of key justice […]
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21st November 2016 Tokyo
The network that puts British science and innovation on the map
From sniffer bees to inflatable incubators, shaking hands with robots and with royalty, a job in the UK Government’s global Science and Innovation Network is never dull. Made up of 90 staff based in British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates, the network helps build research and innovation partnerships with more than 30 countries around the […]
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18th November 2016 Holy See
The Universality of the Church
On 19 November the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will gather in the Vatican. This Consistory (from the Latin “con sistore” – to stand together) is traditionally the opportunity for the Pope to gather the views and concerns of the Cardinals from all corners of the world. It will also be the occasion to […]
18th November 2016 Kolkata, India
My TECH Summit
I’ve been converted to a new way of thinking. I may have used this thinking before, but I wasn’t conscious of it. I’m now a proponent of ‘T-bar’ thinking and ‘T-bar’ learning. I’ve had a quick look on the Internet and can’t find any obvious gurus on the subject. Perhaps I could patent it … […]
17th November 2016 Science Innovation USA
Week of Women: Women in Science
As a child, I never thought I was going to become a scientist. My story does not start with a major epiphany of looking up at the stars and realizing I was going to be an astrophysicist. Luckily for me I had an older brother who had an incredible affinity for math and science, so […]
17th November 2016 London, UK
Saving Pangolins
Around 100,000 pangolins are killed every year to satisfy demand in Asia for their meat and scales, making them the world’s most heavily trafficked wild mammal. Their meat is viewed as a delicacy and their keratin scales are falsely believed to possess medicinal properties. These unique animals – which resemble scaly anteaters – are taken […]
17th November 2016 Delhi, India
UK and India sign MoU on Intellectual Property Cooperation
November 7, 2016 marked the cementing of bilateral cooperation between the UK and India on intellectual property (IP) matters. The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) and India’s Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at undertaking bilateral activities to enhance and strengthen our respective IP systems. The […]
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16th November 2016 London, UK
Edging forward with the UK-Japan nuclear dialogue
The UK and Japan share certain characteristics. They are both proud island nations with a strong seafaring tradition. Their citizens are often considered somewhat reserved by others but are well known to enjoy the shared experience of team sports. Importantly for us, there has been a long tradition of seeking excellence in science and technology […]
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16th November 2016 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
RAF Typhoons visit Brunei
Yesterday, I accompanied the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF )on an inspection of 4 RAF Typhoon (Eurofighter) visiting Brunei at the end of a 6 week deployment in Asia. The 4 aircraft were an impressive sight, lined up next to each other at Rimba Air Base and with an accompanying Voyager refuelling […]
15th November 2016 Guatemala City
Supporting children in Guatemala
This week I visited a British NGO working in Guatemala City with children who live on the streets. Street Kids Direct ( www.streetkidsdirect.org.uk ) is a British-run organisation which offers a ray of hope to children who live in the markets and on the streets around Guatemala City’s main bus station, known as “La Terminal”. […]