Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

1st October 2026

Skopje, North Macedonia

A Year Too Big for Two Suitcases: Notes From a Chevening Scholar

by Rita Behadini

Chevening Scholar

11th May 2026

London, UK

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: turning a global ocean agreement into UK law

by Fahim Ahmad

Bill Officer, Ocean Policy Unit

9th April 2026

London

The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress

by Baroness Harman KC

UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls

14th August 2015 Dublin, Ireland

Gp Capt Simon Blake

Defence Attache Poland

Operation ‘Trzeci Most in 1944’

Last Sunday afternoon I found myself in the middle of a field in the middle of rural Poland in the mid-afternoon sun. Want to know why? Let me explain… The Armia Krajowa (Home Army) was responsible for many vitally important acts of espionage and intelligence gathering during WW2. This particular story concerns the hugely important […]

13th August 2015 Toronto, Canada

by John Preece

DementiaHack2015: Solving the challenges of living with dementia

Few people underestimate the scale of the challenge presented by dementia. The latest numbers are so large and terrifying that they start to lose meaning: 44 million people living with dementia worldwide, double this amount by 2030; a societal cost of £26 billion in England, treble this by 2030; 25 % of hospital beds in […]

12th August 2015 Chevening, UK

by Chevening Conversations

How can the youth of today shape the world of tomorrow

In a world full of social, political, and economic challenges that transcend geographic boundaries, the international community requires new and diverse perspectives to resolve urgent global issues. The 193 member states of the United Nations recently came to a consensus on 17 sustainable development goals that the international community will commit to tackling by 2030. […]

12th August 2015 London, UK

by Youth Inspiration Group

A fresh perspective on UK Foreign Policy

Youth to make the change: A fresh perspective to UK Foreign Policy

Taking a selfie on stage at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leadership conference in 2015 left us thinking perhaps we weren’t that photogenic! But, what we were was successful. After months of rehearsals, planning and speaking with some of the most senior voices across the office we had delivered a high impact, fun, energetic […]

12th August 2015 Oslo, Norway

by British Embassy

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. […]

12th August 2015 New Delhi, India

by Karanpreet

Science and Innovation Adviser

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

by Jagori Dhar

Head - Press and Communications, UK Trade, Investment & Prosperity

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 […]

12th August 2015 Canberra, Australia

by Tony Brennan

Deputy High Commissioner

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 […]

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 […]

11th August 2015 Delhi, India

by Shivani Sharma

Senior Adviser, Science and Innovation Network

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 […]