Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

17th December 2025

Belgrade, Serbia

MAKING LIFE SAFER, FOR EVERYONE

by Edward Ferguson

British Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia

9th December 2025

Skopje, North Macedonia

Why We Need Data, Courage, and Community

by Tanja Ivanova

Chevening Scholar and President of NGO Reactor

2nd December 2025

Skopje, North Macedonia

In cybersecurity, there are no limits – only new voices ready to lead

by Martina Ackovska

Chevening Cybersecurity Fellow

29th March 2018 Gaborone, Botswana

Hooman Nouruzi

Head of Africa Communications

The Giants Club Summit: 5 things you need to know

Ahead of a global conference on the illegal wildlife trade in London in October, Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin attended the the Giants Club Summit in Kasane in northern Botswana to show the UK’s commitment to protecting Africa’s elephants. Here are 5 things you need to know about the summit, and the elephants that the organisers […]

29th March 2018 Science and Innovation Network

by Xolelwa Zulu

Science and Innovation Attaché - British High Commission-Pretoria

South African Wheat Scientists tame the ‘Beast from the East’ in the UK

Late in February to early March [26 Feb-2 Mar], I led a group of five (5) South African small grain researchers and enthusiasts on a UK Agritech inward visit. With the support of the UK Science and Innovation Network (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-science-and-innovation-network) in South Africa, the group set out learn more about the UK research offer in […]

28th March 2018 Vienna, Austria

Fabian Seshadri

Second Secretary, British Embassy Vienna

Trade and comparative advantage: why Harry Kane doesn’t mow his own lawn

As a British diplomat in Austria (I am Second Secretary for Economic and EU issues), I have found one of the most surprising things about Austrian politics is how people feel about trade. Austria’s export ratio (i.e. goods exports as a ratio of GDP) is high – 52%, compared to the High Income Country average […]

26th March 2018 Kolkata, India

by Bruce Bucknell

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata

Baked earth

The pile of bricks was sitting just outside the entrance to the site. The humble brick has been used for the construction of buildings for longer than recorded history. The myth of a ‘mother earth’ or ‘earth goddess’ is as old. Many ancient civilisations worshiped a female deity who represented the fertility of the soil. […]

Shall we dance

You may have seen the 1996 Japanese movie Shall We Dance, about a “sarariman”, or office worker, who found meaning in his humdrum life by taking up ballroom dancing classes. It was one of the most popular Japanese films ever to reach an international audience. I was delighted that its star, Tamiyo Kusakari, and its director, […]

“The Hare with Amber Eyes” and other Vienna treasures

What are the greatest treasures in Vienna? What can you see? And what is lost? I was privileged recently to attend a press conference at the Jewish Museum in Vienna at which Victor de Waal and museum Director Danielle Spera announced important news which connects the UK to Austria. The de Waal and Ephrussi families […]

19th March 2018 Geneva, Switzerland

by Bob Last

Head, UK Mission Political and Human Rights Team

The Chill Factor

Since the number of blog followers clamouring for a Council update has now reached single figures (thanks Nuala) I thought I’d better respond. It’s been busy. And cold. But mostly busy. As the 3rd week of the session came to end, UN staff voted to go on strike over impending allowance cuts, which suspended the […]

19th March 2018 Skopje, North Macedonia

by UK in North Macedonia

UK pulled Macedonia out of Brussels’ hostage and moved it to New York

Goran Mihajlovski is one of the journalists in Macedonia that has followed closely the relations between the UK and Macedonia since their early days. As part of marking the 25 years of relationship we asked Goran to give us his experience of the early 1990s and the British-Macedonian links. Amb Garrett: How do you remember […]

19th March 2018 Skopje, North Macedonia

by UK in North Macedonia

Британија ја извлече Македонија од заложништвото на Брисел и ја пресели во Њујорк

Горан Михајловски е еден од неколкумина новинари кои одблиску ги покривале настаните во раните 1990-ти кога Британија и Македонија воспоставувале дипломатски односи. По повод 25 години билатерални односи Британија – Македонија го прашавме Горан да се потсети на тие денови. Амб Гарет: Какво ти е сеќавањето за воспоставувањето на билатералните односи меѓу Британија и Македонија? […]

19th March 2018 Skopje, North Macedonia

by UK in North Macedonia

Mbretëria e Bashkuar e zhvendosi Maqedoninë nga Brukseli në Nju Jork

Britania dhe Maqedonia kanë marrëdhënie diplomatike nga viti 1993. Me rastin e 25 vjetorit e pyetëm Goran Mihajlovskin për kujtimet e tij mbi fillimin e miqësisë britaniko-maqedonase. Ambasadori Garet: Ç’kujtime keni për vendosjen e marrëdhënieve dypalëshe mes Britanisë dhe Maqedonisë? Mihajlovski: Në dhjetor të vitit 1993 isha gazetar në rubrikën politike të gazetës “Veçer”. Por […]