9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
22nd December 2025
Continuing to grow the global alliance for women and girls
26th March 2012 Geneva, Switzerland
Council Catharsis
For every Council delegate there is one resolution, above all others, whose success or failure takes over their life. It dominates their working hours and prays on their subconscious mind even during the little sleep it’s possible to squeeze in. For me, it was Sri Lanka. There was a huge amount riding on the United […]
25th March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
“Water, water everywhere…”
“… but not a drop to drink” said the old sailor adrift on the unforgiving ocean. There’s been plenty of water in Jordan in the last 3 months. Raindrops kept falling on our heads and we even had a weekend of snow in Amman. We should be happy because the dams are filling up. Maybe […]
23rd March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Ukraine’s 2012 elections: a welcome move
I blogged last week about how an early invitation to OSCE/ODIHR1 to send observers to the October 2012 parliamentary elections would be a “quick win” to help Ukraine show its commitment to democracy. I subsequently saw a tweet from Foreign Minister Hryshchenko on 19 March saying that he had just signed off such an invitation. […]
Read more on Ukraine’s 2012 elections: a welcome move | Reply
22nd March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Ukrainian economic success?
I am frequently alerted by commercial contacts to difficulties with the Ukrainian business environment; and have often blogged on this subject. So it was interesting to hear from a leading independent economist recently the view that there had been some progress on macroeconomic reform recently. The economist said this had included: – The 2011 Pension reform […]
22nd March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Art for development
The EVERY ONE Campaign Tour exhibition showcases the artistic journey which is creating widespread awareness about maternal and child mortality in Ethiopia. I visited it yesterday, with my colleague Betty. The EVERY ONE campaign, initiated by Save the Children UK, aims to help Ethiopia achieve the global Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 (reducing […]
21st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
GREAT campaign launch at Melbourne Grand Prix
Our Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson MP was in Melbourne this weekend to launch the GREAT campaign in Australia. This marketing campaign, which is running in ten countries around the world, aims to build on the fact that London and the UK will be a focus of world attention this year, with The Queen’s Diamond […]
Read more on GREAT campaign launch at Melbourne Grand Prix | Reply
21st March 2012 Harare, Zimbabwe
Taking up the reins in Helmand Province
I arrived in Lashkar Gah on 9th March and took up my new role at precisely 10.45 on 12 March during a “Transfer of Authority” ceremony as it is known in military speak. At the US HQ base in Helmand – Camp Leatherneck, General Toolan – the US Marine Commander – transferred authority to his […]
Read more on Taking up the reins in Helmand Province | Reply (1)
21st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Lviv awakes
There are many excellent cities in Ukraine. But I have always had a soft spot for Lviv since I spent two weeks staying with a family there to learn Ukrainian. It’s also where I started blogging. So I was delighted to visit the city again this month for meetings with regional and city politicians; to […]
21st March 2012 Bucharest, Romania
World Champion now also at the veladrome!
Eduárd Novák (36 yrs old) , cyclist from the Tusnad Cycling Team, Miercuri Ciuc, Romania has become world champion for the third time, after he took gold in the 4 km pursuit race at the veladrome, at the Para-cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles. Eduárd succeeded in defeating the Czech rider Jiri Jezek, the […]
Read more on World Champion now also at the veladrome! | Reply
21st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Doing business in emerging Europe
Britain is a trading nation. In most markets in the world – Asia, Africa, America, and the Middle East – the UK holds a disproportionately large share of inward investment and exports. But not, unfortunately, in central and eastern Europe. For whatever reason UK companies still lag behind their German, French and Austrian competitors in […]