22nd December 2025
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
17th December 2025
MAKING LIFE SAFER, FOR EVERYONE
9th December 2025
Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community
12th August 2015 Oslo, Norway
Pluto, Paris and new horizons for our climate on Planet Earth
By HM Ambassador Sarah Gillett The space probe “New Horizons” recently reached the edge of our solar system, after a journey of 4.7 billion kilometres to Pluto. I was amongst the many following with admiration and excitement the “call home message”, the imagery, and the promise of fascinating extensions to our knowledge of the universe. […]
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12th August 2015 New Delhi, India
Remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Former President of India, Scientist extraordinaire, enthusiastic professor and writer, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam passed away on 27th July 2015 in Shillong, Meghalaya where he was to deliver a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong. Popularly known as the ‘People’s President’, Dr Kalam worked as a Scientist at Defence Research and Development […]
12th August 2015 New Delhi, India
Oliver Letwin: London committed in financing India’s journey to becoming an economic power
Investment, infrastructure, smart cities, bonds and financial services were the top agendas for Cabinet Minister and Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Letwin’s three day visit to India from 27-29th July. Mr. Letwin’s visit was the first visit by a British minister to India after the polls in the UK in May. Mr. Letwin carried the message […]
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12th August 2015 Canberra, Australia
How’s that?
The term “cricket tragic” is often heard in Australia. I consider myself to be more of a cricket melodramatic – basically a tragic, but with the occasional bout of euphoria thrown in. One such bout took place last week. Ask my wife. Last month we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. The wedding took place on […]
11th August 2015 London, UK
Peaceful and Democratic Transfers of Power: a Leaders’ Legacy
The UK has long valued democratic and accountable governance, not least in countries with which we have strong connections. As the Foreign Office and DFID Minister responsible for the UK’s relationship with Africa, one of my key tasks is to pursue this agenda in that continent. Recent scenes of discontent, strife and violence in Burundi […]
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11th August 2015 Delhi, India
Roundtable on exploring Indo-UK education cooperation and funding sources
British Deputy High Commission Chandigarh organised a roundtable meet on 4th August at Chandigarh with three clearly defined aims: increase visibility of UK excellence in Education, forge new partnerships based on mutual interest increase number of quality applications from Indian universities to UK funding sources The idea to hold this session floated from our experience […]
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11th August 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Outreach in Galle
I spent this weekend on the coast near Galle, an immediate reminder of what a wonderful place Sri Lanka is to live and work. But though pleasure and leisure kept me there, it was work that took me. I’ve written recently about how our Consular team support British tourists in distress. On Friday, the team […]
10th August 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
12 STOREY NAVAL VESSEL BOOSTS TCI’S SECURITY – AND SPORTING PROWESS
A visit by a large and imposing naval vessel to most ports is a memorable sight, and the arrival of the Royal Feet Auxiliary’s “Lyme Bay” ship was no exception, dominating Grand Turk’s skyline this month. Over 12 storeys, so nearly as high as the massive cruise ships arriving here, Lyme Bay carried over 150 […]
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10th August 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The Gallipoli Symphony: Hope, Peace, Friendship and Collaboration
As the last notes die away, the audience bursts into applause. Musicians playing instruments as diverse as a ney, a didgeridoo, a Taonga Puoro (a traditional Maori wind instrument) and a harmonica, as well as a full orchestra and choir, rise to their feet. The performance of the eleven-part Gallipoli Symphony in the surroundings of the 4th […]
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6th August 2015
Modern Slavery and the UK
The UK’s Modern Slavery Act came into force on 31 July This landmark legislation brought into law some important new provisions. These include mechanisms to seize traffickers assets and use those funds to help compensate victims, prevention orders to ensure that those who pose a risk of committing modern slavery offences cannot work sectors where they will […]