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RENEWING OLD TIES: THE NEW BISHOP OF LONDON
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
25th November 2024
The climate crisis and gender-based violence
8th November 2024
Ecolabels: A Catalyst for Sustainable Food Choices?
2nd October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Russia and the OECD
Gareth Ward’s blog about Russia joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) caught my eye last week. It brought back fond memories of working on economic and trade issues as a diplomat in Beijing in 2001, when it was China who was joining the WTO. I remember how WTO accession was a lightning rod for China’s reform […]
2nd October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A Grand Final to Remember
In Australia, sport doesn’t get any bigger than the AFL (Aussie rules) Grand Final. In British terms it’s like the Premiership and FA Cup rolled into one. 99,683 of us were gathered in the cauldron of the Melbourne Cricket Ground -“the G” – last Saturday. I had been invited by my friend Paul Sheahan, former […]
1st October 2012 Washington DC, USA
Nic Hailey blogs from Afghanistan
I wanted to bring your attention to the following blog posts by Nic Hailey, the new Deputy Ambassador at the British Embassy in Kabul. Nic writes in his blog about a visit the Embassy had from the British Library’s India Office Archives and got some fascinating insights into the UK’s role in Afghanistan’s past. Including […]
1st October 2012 Washington DC, USA
Still united against terror
The following is a guest post by Lieutenant General Nicholas Carter, who was given responsibility for leading the UK’s Army 2020 Team to design the future Army. From October 2012 he will be Deputy Commander HQ ISAF and the UK’s National Contingent Commander in Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Nicholas Carter was visiting Washington last week and in this guest […]
1st October 2012 Geneva, Switzerland
Little to cheer, something to fear?
Human Rights Council sessions rarely end up being either a resounding success or an unmitigated disaster. They rather tend to be a mixed bag with some good things, some bad and a few which leave you scratching your head, wondering what it meant and why it happened in the first place. The September session was […]
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1st October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A drive into the future
Last month, I hosted a reception with Inchcape Motors. This is one of the oldest British companies in the automotive business, and here in Romania it is the distributor for Toyota and Lexus. The international automotive industry has great potential to deliver growth for Britain’s economy, and so the reception was to introduce Lexus’ new […]
30th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Diplomacy, Security and Investment
I was promised (or warned?) that a posting to Sudan would not be dull. And so it has proved so far. My first full month here has been a mix of traditional diplomacy, concern for the security of the embassy and my staff, and investment in the future of Sudan. Diplomacy The “high diplomacy” has […]
28th September 2012 Warsaw, Poland
Commercial Diplomacy in Action – a week packed full of engagement for UK Business in Poland
If you thought last week was busy – we’ve been even busier this week. A great message to tell. A trade and investment relationship that’s growing strongly. Huge opportunity across Poland and the broader Emerging Europe region-100 million consumers and a tapestry of EU countries modernising their infrastructure. Emerging market opportunity right on our doorstep. […]
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28th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Weekends in Mumbai
Weekends in Mumbai, once the monsoon has passed, can involve a variety of activities: walks along the 5km Marine Drive past the art deco buildings and the landmark Oberoi hotel, brunch in one of the expanding range of cafes and restaurants around the town, a round of golf on what must count as one of […]
28th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A new portrait of Her Majesty
Australian painter Ralph Heimans has just produced a wonderful new portrait of Her Majesty, depicting the Queen standing in the spot in Westminster Abbey where she was crowned. I was delighted to attend the launch of this spectacular painting at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, by Her Majesty’s representative in Australia, Governor General HE […]