9th December 2025
Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
2nd December 2025
In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead
14th October 2025
Lost and Found (but mostly lost)
11th October 2019 Geneva, Switzerland
UK funded project on integrating conventional arms control with conflict prevention gets started
I am delighted to announce that the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) project that I mentioned in my previous blog on integrating conventional arms control into the UN’s conflict prevention and management activities got underway this month. The United Kingdom has provided seed funding to UNIDIR to get the project started. The project […]
Read more on UK funded project on integrating conventional arms control with conflict prevention gets started | Reply
9th October 2019 Tripoli, 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 […]
7th October 2019 Geneva, Switzerland
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 […]
7th October 2019 Vienna, Austria
“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 Science and Innovation NetworkUSA
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
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
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 […]
3rd October 2019 Skopje, North Macedonia
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
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 […]
24th September 2019 Vienna, Austria
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 […]