Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

24th September 2014

Avatar photo

by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Applying for British Passports overseas

During the last few months, our consular teams in Australia have been doing several things to help British nationals who need to travel urgently, but have been affected by longer processing times at HM Passport Office (HMPO) following a surge in demand for British passports: We have been issuing Emergency Travel Documents, which enable travellers to […]

Read more on Applying for British Passports overseas | Reply

23rd September 2014 Geneva, Switzerland

Avatar photo

by Bob Last

Head, UK Mission Political and Human Rights Team

Nations United

It’s been an interesting week to be a Brit at the UN. No matter what else has been going on in the rest of the world, all anyone wanted to talk to me about was Scotland. Mostly people just wanted to hear my prediction of what the result was going to be, as though I have […]

Read more on Nations United | Reply (2)

23rd September 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan

Avatar photo

by Tracey Tett

Head of Communications, British High Commission, Pakistan

Shaping the future: What matters to young Pakistanis

Ayesha* is nine years old, Ali* is eight. They live at the SOS Village in Rawalpindi, Islamabad’s Twin (although, in reality, much bigger) neighbouring City. They are two of around 100 young boys and girls who, for whatever reason, have no one to look after them at home and who are now cared for by […]

Read more on Shaping the future: What matters to young Pakistanis | Reply

23rd September 2014 Gaborone, Botswana

Avatar photo

by Nick Pyle

British High Commissioner to Botswana

Botswana Global Joint Action Day on Climate Change

Early this month the British High Commission went to Mogoditshane Primary School where the students had been learning about climate change thanks to a project run by WENA Environmental Education and News Trust and funded by the High Commission. The event was graced by representatives from the Department of Waste Management, the Ministry of Education as […]

Read more on Botswana Global Joint Action Day on Climate Change | Reply

23rd September 2014

Avatar photo

by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

All eyes on New York this week

British and Australian leaders will no doubt be seeing each other around New York this week, amidst the frenzied activity which comprises the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) Ministerial Week. Tony Abbott, David Cameron, Julie Bishop and Philip Hammond will be there, together with ministerial colleagues and around 130 Heads of State or Government. Inevitably countering extremism and the threat […]

Read more on All eyes on New York this week | Reply

22nd September 2014 Brasilia, Brazil

by Kate Thornley

Ukraine Crisis: New EU Sanctions against Russia  

For the last nine months Europe has been gripped by the crisis in Ukraine. For years Europe and Russia have enjoyed increasing economic and political co-operation, but in March 2014 Russia illegally annexed Crimea, breaching the sovereignty of Ukraine and escalating tensions in the region. This represents a loss of 4,5% of territory – the equivalent […]

Read more on Ukraine Crisis: New EU Sanctions against Russia   | Reply

22nd September 2014 Madrid, Spain

Avatar photo

by Daniel Pruce

British Ambassador to the Philippines and to Palau

Flexible working: it’s not unusual

Logo courtesy of www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Joint blog with Peter Abbott, DHM Lisbon This week in the UK it is National Work/Life Balance Week. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and its global network of posts, is committed to helping ensure its staff achieve a good balance between work and life outside of work. Something that can help people achieve that is flexible […]

Read more on Flexible working: it’s not unusual | Reply