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 July 2016 Geneva, Switzerland
Continuity And Change Following The Referendum
As Britain’s ambassador in Geneva I have often been asked in recent days about developments in the UK. There has been much uncertainty and some anxiety. I have sought to explain, but also to reassure. On 23 June the British people voted in a referendum to leave the European Union. It is clear that some […]
Read more on Continuity And Change Following The Referendum | Reply
8th July 2016 Los Angeles, USA
FUNDING: Lead Agency Agreement between EPSRC and NSF
This post is meant to highlight a new lead agency agreement between the EPSRC and NSF for international collaboration. The lead agency agreement model allows researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal with a joint funding decision, informed by a single lead agency review. This review process will follow the usual process for the lead agency. […]
Read more on FUNDING: Lead Agency Agreement between EPSRC and NSF | Reply
7th July 2016 Skopje, North Macedonia
British Council – 20 years of building cultural relations between Macedonia and the UK
The British Council in Macedonia marks its 20th anniversary in 2016. We celebrate two decades of building cultural and education relations between Macedonia and the United Kingdom. It is the time when we reflect back and see the fruits of our work in creating links and understanding between British and Macedonian institutions, professionals and communities […]
Read more on British Council – 20 years of building cultural relations between Macedonia and the UK | Reply
7th July 2016 London, UK
Climate change: The opportunity of our age
This week, our Ambassadors and High Commissioners have returned to London for Leadership Week. I took the opportunity to speak with them, alongside my fellow peers in the House of Lords, about the agreement reached at the Paris climate Conference of Parties (COP21) and to provide reassurance about the Government’s commitment to tackling global climate […]
Read more on Climate change: The opportunity of our age | Reply
7th July 2016
Ask our Ambassador in the Holy See
On Thursday 14 July at 10:30-11:30 am (UK time), our Ambassador Nigel Baker will be online to bid farewell to the numerous followers of @UKinHolySee Twitter handle, after five exciting years as British Ambassador to the Holy See. You can tweet your questions in advance to #AskHMA about the depth and importance of the modern […]
7th July 2016 Canberra, Australia
Uncovering lost stories of WW1
For many in the UK, the first day of the Battle of the Somme looms large in our island story – it was the first time a mass, citizen army drawn from the population as a whole, rather than professional soldiers, was committed into an industrialised theatre of war. It was to be a terrible, […]
6th July 2016 Calgary, Canada
Discovering the British beat in Canadian music
Elton John composed his first five albums on a trusty old piano. And where is that piano now (must be worth a bit)? It is actually to be found in Canada’s new National Music Centre .
Read more on Discovering the British beat in Canadian music | Reply (1)
6th July 2016 Beijing, China
Looking back and moving on
Tomorrow is my last day in the China Science and Innovation Network. It’s been fun. It’s been hard work. It’s been a privilege. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from an amazing team during my three years in what might just have been the best job in the Foreign Office. December 2013: During the […]
4th July 2016 Ottawa, Canada
From Mogadishu to Ottawa
A diplomatic life is often one of contrasts. One year you can be working on climate change, another you’re promoting human rights in North Africa. That’s what makes this career so varied and challenging.
4th July 2016 Berlin, Germany
Late night science in Berlin
What a great tradition to have: the long night of the sciences! London museums have late-night openings, but imagine if it wasn’t just one museum but research institutes, universities and museums all at once. This is exactly what happens in Berlin and Potsdam once a year on the “long night of science”. For inquisitive SIN […]