Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

3rd December 2024

Enthronement of the first Serbian Bishop in London

Belgrade, Serbia

RENEWING OLD TIES: THE NEW BISHOP OF LONDON

by Edward Ferguson

British Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia

25th November 2024

Canberra, Australia

The climate crisis and gender-based violence

by Vicki Treadell

British High Commissioner to Australia

8th November 2024

Berlin, Germany

Ecolabels: A Catalyst for Sustainable Food Choices?

by Kate Robinson

Science and Innovation Advisor, British Embassy Berlin

19th November 2014 Singapore

by Claire Lewis

2015-2016 Bidding Round: Key Dates

As we look ahead to the open call for bids on the 24th November 2014, I’d like to share with you the key dates for the diary for the 2015-2016 SE Asia Prosperity Fund. More information on the open call will go live on the GOV.UK website on the 24th November, including information on how to bid, submission […]

19th November 2014 Mumbai, India

by Vijay Iyer

Senior Science & Innovation Adviser

Exploring UK-India collaborations in wave and tidal energy

In February this year, my colleague, Manjari, and I began deliberations to organise a 5-day UK-India programme on wave and tidal energy. Fast forward to 27-31 October 2014, those deliberations actually transpired! A delegation of six UK experts representing the member universities of the UK Centre for Marine Energy Research (UKCMER) as well as Scottish Association […]

19th November 2014 Yerevan, Armenia

by Katherine Leach

UNSCR 1325 in practice: Women in the military

One of the themes of this year’s NATO week was UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. On November 13 the MFA hosted a roundtable on Armenia’s approach to UNSCR 1325, with stakeholders from government (MFA, MOD, Ministry of Social Affairs, PM’s office), international organisations and NGOs. One of the themes of […]

18th November 2014

by Paul Brummell

Head of Soft Power and External Affairs Department, Communication Directorate

This post was published when the author was in a previous role

Lest we forget

It was a privilege for me to lay a wreath last Sunday at the Bucharest War Cemetery in Tâncăbeşti, on behalf of the British Government, in a ceremony honouring the British and Commonwealth servicemen and women killed in the First World War and more recent conflicts, as well as those from other countries who gave […]

We will remember them…

In a quiet corner of Ottawa by the junction of Sussex Avenue and Stanley Drive, there stands a fine memorial to the Canadian Officers loaned to Great Britain during the Second World War…

17th November 2014

by Bruce Bucknell

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata

This post was published when the author was in a previous role

Keep calm and carry on

Stereotypes about nations are dangerous things. I read recently that national stereotypes exist for a reason. Maybe, but they can breed prejudice – in the sense of “pre-judging” people or places based on a stereotype before you encounter them. What of stereotypes about Britain? I hope many of my previous blogs have challenged some of […]

17th November 2014 Singapore

by Benjamin Chew

Prosperity Fund Project Evaluations in Indonesia

Last month, I made a trip over to Jakarta to join in the evaluation of two Prosperity Fund projects that ran from 2011 to 2013. Aside from the perpetual traffic jams, this visit was extremely enjoyable for two very important reasons. Firstly, this was a perfect opportunity for me to see and hear the impact […]

17th November 2014 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

by Nikesh Mehta

Counsellor for Foreign Policy and Security

Digital Diplomacy: From Ferrero Rocher To Tweeting

I’m delighted that Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner (Designate) to Malaysia has allowed me to print in full a speech that she delivered to the press corps on 12 November 2014. The speech looks at the challenges faced by diplomats and journalists of remaining relevant in the digital age and the fantastic opportunities presented by […]

17th November 2014

by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

This post was published when the author was in a previous role

David Cameron visits Australia for Brisbane G20 Summit

You always look forward to your Prime Minister visiting the country you’re posted in, even though it means a lot of extra work for the whole team. David Cameron has just been back in Australia for the second time. He began his official bilateral visit on Friday with a stroll around Sydney’s beautiful harbour with […]

14th November 2014 Singapore

by Claire Lewis

What’s Coming Up On the Blog in the Next Few Weeks

It’s now been 2 months since we started this blog and we are gathering more and more stories to bring you from our work in the region. As we look ahead to the start of the South East Asia Prosperity Fund bidding round at the end of November, I wanted to give you a flavour […]