9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
22nd December 2025
Continuing to grow the global alliance for women and girls
10th May 2016 Guatemala City
Queen’s Birthday Celebration
This year Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her ninetieth birthday. Born in 1926, she became Queen in 1952 on the death of her father, King George V, and has been Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the last 64 years. Events to mark The Queen’s 90th birthday are being held […]
10th May 2016 London, UK
Email Triage: helping customers find what they need on GOV.UK
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s consular service supports British people around the world when they are most in need of our help. Consulates, embassies and high commissions publish their contact email addresses in the contact section of their pages. I hear that sharp intake of breath. How generous of them when most others hide behind […]
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10th May 2016 Geneva, Switzerland
Who Will Lobby For The Future?
One of the thorniest controversies in the WHO right now goes by the catchy acronym, FENSA. This stands for Framework on Engagement with Non State Actors. Beneath this bland surface lies one of the great dilemmas facing all international agencies. What is the appropriate role of business in policy making? Just to be clear, in […]
7th May 2016 Beirut, Lebanon
Local Elections of National Importance
Winston Churchill famously declared in 1947 that “democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” He was speaking from the floor of the House of Commons, the parliamentary chamber reserved for any “common” man or woman elected to represent the people of Britain. […]
6th May 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Pope Francis wins UK Green Ribbon award
The Green Ribbon awards are amongst Britain’s most prestigious environmental awards. They are awarded by The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the leading independent Chartered professional body for water and environment professionals, which promotes excellence within the sector. They have been presented since 1993, and aim to celebrate the greatest environmental achievements […]
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6th May 2016 Tripoli, Libya
The Beautiful Game
Leicester. Where’s that? And how do you pronounce it? Is it “Lye-Chest-er” or “Lester”. This Midlands town is now well-known all round the world after their team, Leicester City became the English football champions. It is a remarkable story of a team that was fighting for survival last year. The team – known locally as […]
5th May 2016 Havana, Cuba
A Cuban economist in London
Once again I have the pleasure to publish a blog by one of the fifteen Cuban Chevening scholars currently in the UK. Ricardo Gonzalez is a teacher and researcher from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Havana and is studying a masters in economics at Queen Mary University, London. Thanks to Ricardo for this […]
4th May 2016 Havana, Cuba
Building the right buildings
On Thursday this week Londoners vote to elect the next Mayor. London is a vibrant, global city with a huge population and a massive economy so the Mayor’s job is an important one with responsibilities ranging from transport to construction. In the last decade or so, the skyline of London has been transformed by some […]
4th May 2016
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Visit to Rostov-on-Don – shared history of World War Two and twinning with Glasgow
My latest regional visit took me outside of the North West Federal District to the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, a 2.5 hour flight from St Petersburg. I had always wanted to visit Rostov-on-Don, a city that is twinned with my home city of Glasgow in Scotland. I was delighted therefore when I was asked […]
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3rd May 2016 London, UK
Secret No More: living as my true self, and transitioning gender in the FCO
FLAGG member Sophie Green shares her personal story about her gender identity and transition. I joined the office over 13 and a half years ago, and, during that time, everyone has known me as Karl. However, as of now, I am going to be known as Sophie. I identify as transgender. Outside of the office […]
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