17th July 2025
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
15th July 2025
International Day of Women in Diplomacy: UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls visit to Geneva
1st May 2025
The UN Commission on the Status of Women: My first visit as UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls
14th March 2014 Brasilia, Brazil
The Islands with open doors
Last Tuesday, March 11, was the first anniversary of the referendum on the political status of the Falkland Islands. A year ago on that date, 99.8% of voters said yes to keeping their political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. As we mentioned previously, the Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly […]
14th March 2014 Washington DC, USA
We Stand #withSyria in DC
Saturday will mark the third anniversary of the start of the conflict in Syria. For me, Syria has been a big part of my working and personal life this week and for the last few years. In my day job we’ve been working with the US and others on ways to secure better access into Syria for […]
14th March 2014 Budapest, Hungary
Reflections on 25 Years Service with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Guest blog by Technical Services Officer Matthew Smith I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in late 1988 as an apprentice Telecommunications Technical Officer. With keen interests in travel and electronic engineering, this seemed the ideal job opportunity and the subsequent 25 years have not disappointed. The recruitment process had taken half a year […]
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14th March 2014 Warsaw, Poland
Say Cheese – Say Caerphilly
Say Cheese – We’ve been all the way to Wales to taste some Caerphilly Piesek P is on the lookout for GREAT British Cheese in Poland – as he finds it he’ll let you know – just smile. Often known as “The Crumblies” due to its texture, Caerphilly cheese was mainly produced on small family […]
14th March 2014 Havana, Cuba
Why on earth would an Ambassador in Cuba tweet?
A lot of my diplomatic counterparts in Havana look completely bemused when I talk to them about Twitter or tell them what my last blog was about. That’s not because they don’t know what Twitter or blogging is but because they don’t really see social media as playing a role in their daily diplomacy. Many […]
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14th March 2014 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Science
Last week Dr Eric Morgan, a scientist from Bristol University’s School of Veterinary Sciences, visited Tashkent for a round table with the Academy of Sciences in Uzbekistan. The topic was animal parasites and the impact on their prevalence and transmission of climate change. I spent a fascinating morning listening to Dr Morgan speaking about the […]
14th March 2014 Yerevan, Armenia
Crisis in Crimea
All of us who care about peace in Europe have been shocked by the events in Crimea over the past two weeks. On Sunday a referendum will be held in Crimea in which there is no option for those who wish to keep Crimea’s status as part of Ukraine unchanged. People may only vote to join Russia, or […]
14th March 2014 Science and Innovation Network
Our cities, our future
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody,” wrote the American urban theorist Jane Jacobs in 1961, “only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” Cities over the world face complex and rapidly evolving challenges. Ranging from climate, to poverty, economic downturns and demographic shifts, cities now need to confront an unprecedented […]
13th March 2014 Warsaw, Poland
Say Cheese – Say Cheshire
Say Cheese – We’ve been all the way to Chester to taste some Cheshire Piesek P is on the lookout for GREAT British Cheese in Poland – as he finds it he’ll let you know – just smile, Cheshire Cheese is thought to be Britain’s oldest named cheese. It was originally the generic name for […]
13th March 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
A Peek into the Photo Albums
by Alan Burner Alan Burner was 3rd Secretary at the British Embassy Sofia, 1970-1972, and Deputy Head of Mission, 1984-1987. In 1964, Alan spent a fortnight holiday with the family of Sir William Harpham, Britain’s first Ambassador to Bulgaria, at his Residence in Sofia. (Before that there were British Agents, Consul-Generals, High Commissioners and Political Representatives). Alan kept […]