Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

24th September 2014 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

To Innovate or not to Innovate

It has been a hectic couple of weeks. Since returning from leave, I have already visited Wroclaw, Krakow and Gdansk. There have been two common themes: Innovation is GREAT and Culture is GREAT. In both Wroclaw and Gdansk, I visited impressive technology parks that are creating the right environment to stimulate the development of both […]

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24th September 2014

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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 […]

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23rd September 2014 Geneva, Switzerland

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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 […]

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23rd September 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan

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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 […]

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23rd September 2014 Gaborone, Botswana

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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 […]

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23rd September 2014

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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 […]

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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 […]

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