Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

9th October 2019 Tripoli, Libya

Avatar photo

by Nicholas Hopton

Head of UK Embassy to Libya

A letter to all Libyans

By way of introduction, I am Nicholas Hopton the new Chargé d’Affairs at the British Embassy Tripoli. I am delighted to take up this job at such a crucial time. There is a lot of important work to do to improve the situation in your country. The top three things I’m focussing on are: Ending […]

Read more on A letter to all Libyans | Reply

7th October 2019 Geneva, Switzerland

Avatar photo

by Bob Last

Head, UK Mission Political and Human Rights Team

Zombie Wonderland

Council sessions often drive a temporary wedge between delegates and their families. The heavy hours estrange us from our partners and children and conversations tend to become rushed and reduced to topics of basic functional necessity.  So I was slightly thrown when my son wouldn’t let me get out of the door early one morning […]

Read more on Zombie Wonderland | Reply (1)

7th October 2019 Vienna, Austria

Avatar photo

by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

“Our Planet: Our Business” – what you can do

What climate-induced catastrophes might a child born today experience?  Such a child might see the disappearance of insects and pollinators.  During the child’s lifetime, plant and animal species will be wiped out and crops could fail.  This child may watch the coral reefs bleach and die.  She or he will wonder why the adults of […]

Read more on “Our Planet: Our Business” – what you can do | Reply

7th October 2019 USA

William Janowski

SIN Officer, Houston

World cancer Research Day 2019: UK Encouraging Relationships with US Cancer Research Hotspots

World Cancer Research Day 2019: UK Encouraging Relationships with US Cancer Research Hotspots No matter your background, the social and economic impacts of cancer are far-reaching. The chances are that cancer impacts somebody you know or love. In the fight against cancer, cutting-edge research takes place both here in the UK and internationally in the […]

Read more on World cancer Research Day 2019: UK Encouraging Relationships with US Cancer Research Hotspots | Reply

4th October 2019 Geneva, Switzerland

Avatar photo

by Aidan Liddle

UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament

Disarmament blog: nuclear transparency in action

The three principles of disarmament are usually held to be verifiability, irreversibility and transparency. Transparency underpins the other two principles. You can’t tell whether what’s been done is irreversible unless you can verify it; you can’t verify it unless it’s transparent. As such, transparency, often in the shape of reporting by States Parties, is a […]

Read more on Disarmament blog: nuclear transparency in action | Reply

4th October 2019 Tokyo, Japan

Avatar photo

by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Japan welcomes the Rugby World Cup

Well, the Rugby World Cup is underway at last. With four teams to support: England, Scotland, Wales and – together with the Irish Embassy – the all of Ireland team; and 50,000 British fans here, it’s a really busy time for the whole embassy. And following Japan’s historic victory over Ireland, the whole country is […]

Read more on Japan welcomes the Rugby World Cup | Reply

3rd October 2019 Skopje, North Macedonia

Rachel Galloway

Rachel Galloway

British Ambassador

The hometown of Kocho Racin, a place of poetry, culture, history and tradition – my first visit to Veles

Last week, I travelled only a short distance from Skopje to visit Veles. It was a packed day as there was a lot to discuss and a lot of people to see and meet. Although Veles has a rich cultural history, our conversations were focussed on its future. Mayor Ace Kocevski talked about his plans […]

Read more on The hometown of Kocho Racin, a place of poetry, culture, history and tradition – my first visit to Veles | Reply

3rd October 2019 Vienna, Austria

Avatar photo

by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Brexit outreach events in Austria

You may have seen on social media in recent weeks that the embassy is organising another round of Brexit events around Austria. Previous events (we have done 17 so far) have been an important opportunity for us to share information with British nationals in Austria and to hear about your experiences. This next round of […]

Read more on Brexit outreach events in Austria | Reply

24th September 2019 Vienna, Austria

Avatar photo

by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

A Tam O’Shanter in Vienna

The headgear is a subtle grey with a bright blue bobble.  It sits aslant the head, keeping you warm and dry. I was delighted recently to attend the HQ of the London Scottish Regiment in Westminster to be awarded with a “Hodden Grey Tam O’Shanter”.  How did this happen? The story begins with my decision […]

Read more on A Tam O’Shanter in Vienna | Reply

23rd September 2019 London,UK

Paul Brummell, British Ambassador to Romania

by Paul Brummell

Head of Soft Power and External Affairs Department, Communication Directorate

Pleased as Punch

We missed Special Guest Star Bobby Davro, who had opened the Hotham Park Country Fair in Bognor Regis, but watching the Punch and Judy show at the fair felt like a rite of passage for our five-year old son, George, in the company of his parents and great aunt and uncle. The show was put […]

Read more on Pleased as Punch | Reply