1st October 2026
A Year Too Big for Two Suitcases: Notes From a Chevening Scholar
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
11th May 2026
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: turning a global ocean agreement into UK law
9th April 2026
The Gulf, Berlin and the Commission on the Status of Women: building global alliances to advance women’s progress
19th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Jobs: Oasis or Mirage?
You can debate whether the pressure for change in the Arab world is driven by the demand for political change or by economic factors. My view is that the demand for jobs is a central reason for the frustration witnessed on the streets, starting with Mohammed Bouazizi who was prevented from selling his fruit in […]
16th September 2011 London, UK
The UK and Norway: a wide-ranging partnership
During my visit to Oslo this week, I was reminded of the strength and depth of our relationship with Norway, and the wide range of issues where we have shared interests. The UK and Norway are partners in NATO in Afghanistan, we have a longstanding energy relationship, and a common interest in developing regional trade. […]
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16th September 2011 New York, USA
Reflect, Remember, Rebuild: The Tenth Anniversary of September 11th
September 11th is an immensely emotional date for New York. This year, being the Tenth Anniversary, was especially so. Our priority this year—and every year—was to support the family members of the 67 British victims. My day started in Lower Manhattan, where I joined BBC Radio 5 Live’s Peter Allen as he broadcasted the main […]
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16th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Brilliant British Business in Ukraine #9
The sun is setting magnificently over the skyline of Kyiv. All around, commercial deals are being planned, connections established and views on business conditions exchanged. We’re at a major gathering of the British business community in Ukraine at my residence on 14 September. Supporting British business in Ukraine and attracting investors to the UK is […]
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16th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Kyiv: art, football and Charles Dickens
One of the most striking buildings in Kyiv is the Mystetskyi Arsenal, or “Art Arsenal”, whose opening I attended back in August 2009. Built between 1783 and 1801, it has been restored to provide over twenty thousand square metres of dramatic exhibition space arranged in massive, high-arched rooms and is always worth a visit whatever […]
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16th September 2011 Chevening, UK
Looking forward to a Chevening experience
Our new Chevening scholars from Peru, Patrick, Mariana and Celia comment on their experiences during the Chevening Scholarship application process, their expectations for their chosen programme of study and life in the UK. Three Peruvian Chevening Scholarship winners will take up postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom in the fields of environment, urban development planning […]
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15th September 2011 Ottawa, Canada
British Day at Spruce Meadows
Last weekend I had the honour of taking in my first British Day at Spruce Meadows. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUREzQkcaQE
15th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Understanding the famous Triangle
The following is a guest post by Spencer Mahony, HM Consul & UKTI Regional Director for the South East US. There are many famous triangles in the world: the golden triangle in India, which takes in Delhi, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur; the golden triangle of Oxford, Cambridge and London which has […]
15th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Anniversary of Pope Benedict’s Visit to Britain
The Papal Visit to the United Kingdom last year, exactly one year ago this week, was an extraordinary moment in the relationship between my country and the Holy See. It was the first State Visit by a Pope, and in the Prime Minister’s words “an incredibly moving four days for our country”. It emphasised the […]
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15th September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Democracy
Today is International Day of Democracy. In the UK we believe that democracy rests on respect for every individual in society, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other status. In fact this forms an indivisible part of our foreign policy. Through the work of the FCO we support not only electoral processes but […]