17th December 2025
MAKING LIFE SAFER, FOR EVERYONE
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
9th December 2025
Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community
2nd December 2025
In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead
11th October 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A Sleep Out for World Homeless Day
There seems to be a burgeoning range of international days throughout the year designated to raise awareness of all manner of causes and initiatives. Many of these are accompanied by suggested activities, often with a fundraising scope, linked to the theme of the day. I am by nature susceptible to the lure of these. In […]
11th October 2016 Skopje, North Macedonia
Not being treated fairly? Maybe the Ombudsman could help
Last week I joined the Ombudsman of Macedonia and Sakam da Kazam to officially mark our three-way cooperation on a new project Speak Up for the Ombudsman. From this autumn until spring 2018 this project will provide one more channel to give voice to citizens of Macedonia who need help from the Ombudsman. The aims […]
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10th October 2016 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
World Day against the Death Penalty
Today is World Day against the Death Penalty. With more than 50 years of positive experience of abolition in the UK, we believe that the death penalty neither deters, nor keeps people safer. It is error-prone, and its use in the modern world if often arbitrary and in breach of international standards. It also risks […]
10th October 2016 Singapore
UK’s support on the Low Carbon Agenda in South East Asia
The #GlobalBritain campaign is now in full-gear and this week’s theme on environment features what the UK is doing on the low carbon agenda in South East Asia. It’s a perfect opportunity to introduce other work that the Cross Whitehall Prosperity Fund is supporting in South East Asia; where this year, over 30% of the […]
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10th October 2016 London, UK
Leading the Joint Expeditionary Force – the UK’s Swiss army knife of land, sea and air
Introduction Britain is a leading member of NATO and has strong and enduring defence relationships with partners around the world. In this blog Captain James Parkin RN writes about the capabilities of the UK Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) and its role in developing defence and security cooperation: Captain James Parkin I command HMS BULWARK, 176 […]
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10th October 2016 Vientiane, Laos
IS SMALL BEAUTIFUL?
In 1973, the Oxford-educated economist E F Schumacher published his seminal work, “Small is Beautiful”. It was an early critique of globalisation and a clarion call for sustainable development. Over the years, his iconic title has also stirred broader discussion about the comparative merits of smaller and larger organisations. Each has advantages, in my view. But […]
7th October 2016 Tripoli, Libya
Happy 1438!
The Islamic world celebrated the arrival of a New Year this week. It is now 1438. The New Year is not as big as the religious Eid holidays. Nor does it have the social significance of New Year events in other countries where cities compete with each other over the lavishness of their fireworks. In […]
7th October 2016 Vienna, Austria
Give peace a chance
I’m sitting around a table with numerous Ambassadors discussing nuclear security. But we’re not at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We’re at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP). And instead of sitting in one of the huge semi-circular conference chambers of the Vienna International Centre, we’re on the thirteenth floor of the […]
7th October 2016 London, UK
Taking action on Climate Change
Climate change is the greatest threat facing our generation. We urgently need to take collective action to halt the increase in global temperature and limit the risks posed to our economy and national and global security. I am proud that the UK has led the global transition to a low carbon economy. We were the […]
6th October 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
GOVERNOR’S FAREWELL MESSAGE – OPTIMISM, BUT A NEED TO SHARPEN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND RETAIN AN OPEN ECONOMY
With grandchildren in Grand Turk After three happy years in the beautiful country of Turks and Caicos Islands, Jill and I will be leaving with great sadness next week, on 10 October – and with great relief that the islands were, unlike others in the region, untouched by Hurricane Matthew. It hardly seems possible that […]
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