Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

12th November 2013

by Peter Tibber

Ambassador to Colombia

Remembering the Fallen: Working to end Conflict

Every year since the First World War came to an end in 1918 at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, it has been a tradition on the Sunday closest to it to commemorate and remember all those lost as a result of conflict and its aftermath.   Sudan sadly is no […]

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12th November 2013 Chennai, India

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by Bharat Joshi

British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai

Royal Visit: Day One

It’s hard to describe the maelstrom that is a big, high-level visit. The calm before the visit is transformed instantly into high-octane excitement. Impressive convoys that had been sitting idle moments earlier roar into action. Massive crowds seem to suddenly materialise everywhere, many with hastily written welcome placards. The first visit was to the hugely […]

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11th November 2013 Madrid, Spain

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by Daniel Pruce

British Ambassador to the Philippines and to Palau

Business and Human Rights

How was your shirt made? We’ve been working closely with our Spanish contacts on business and human rights in recent weeks. Globalisation means companies are increasingly sourcing and manufacturing their products via complex trans-national networks of suppliers and factories. But business success shouldn’t come at the cost of human rights. I’ve been sharing with the […]

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11th November 2013 Chennai, India

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by Bharat Joshi

British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai

Royal Visit

We all woke up early a few hours to see the horrifying death toll in the Philippines. A reminder of the power of nature. The resilience of the people is humbling. And the impressive speed at which NGOs and Aid Agencies – including DfID – have moved is impressive and will save many lives. We’re […]

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10th November 2013 Warsaw, Poland

Martin Oxley, Head, UKTI Poland

by Martin Oxley

Director of UKTI Warsaw

Business is GREAT Poland – Global Export Week

Global export week starts on 11 November and we’ve got a Polish team in the UK all week promoting the GREAT opportunities on offer for British companies in this fast growing market. Over the course of the week they’ve got over 100 meetings. If you haven’t made an appointment don’t worry – I am sure […]

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10th November 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

by Nikesh Mehta

Counsellor for Foreign Policy and Security

Fashion, Food and Famous Celebrities: Get Ready for KL’s First GREAT Week!

I’m delighted that Alison Collingridge, our Prosperity Promotion Manager, has agreed to write a guest blog on the amazing events taking place in KL next week. Alison has worked tirelessly for over a year to bring the very best of British to Malaysia – the new London Routemaster bus, specially commissioned Minis, one of our […]

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10th November 2013 Chennai, India

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by Bharat Joshi

British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai

Visit to Kerala by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall

It’s really hard to believe that I’ve been in Chennai for 2 months: it still feels like a dream. Our departure from Cameroon was quick, with a one-week stop in the UK for a brilliant Course on South Asia at Kings. The perfect induction into Asia after 4 brilliant if challenging years in Africa. Working […]

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8th November 2013 Brasilia, Brazil

Size doesn’t matter

Yesterday, the people of the Falkland Islands elected a new Legislative Assembly. So what? Who cares? Well, as a fan of the Islanders and an admirer of their way of life, I do. And much, much more importantly, the people who live on the Islands do. The Falkland Islanders are resourceful, resilient people. They need […]

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8th November 2013

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by Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Diplomatic Cooperation at the Holy See: The Case of UK – Australia

Diplomats represent their country’s interests. Traditionally, this leads to barely veiled competition between embassies accredited to third governments: for access, for influence, for commercial contracts. We will occasionally pull together for a common cause – EU embassies often do so as a matter of course – but generally as ‘coalitions of the willing’ rather than […]

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