Andrew Mitchell: The latest spike in tensions in northern Kosovo is deeply concerning. Violent protests in northern Kosovo on 29 May resulted in injuries to at least 30 troops from NATO’s KFOR mission, along with 50 civilians, including journalists. Since then, the mood has calmed slightly, but tensions remain high. Daily protests are continuing around municipal offices in the four Kosovo Serb-majority...
Andrew Mitchell: The latest spike in tensions in northern Kosovo is deeply concerning. Violent protests in northern Kosovo on 29 May resulted in injuries to at least 30 troops from NATO’s KFOR mission, along with 50 civilians, including journalists. Since then, the mood has calmed slightly, but tensions remain high. Daily protests are continuing around municipal offices in the four Kosovo Serb-majority...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK is fully engaged in the ongoing negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council and Assembly in Kingston, Jamaica, to agree deep sea mining exploitation regulations. The UK's policy is not to sponsor or support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects unless and until there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on...
Andrew Mitchell: The G20 Third Tourism Working Group Meeting in Srinagar was attended by a delegation of UK officials based in India.
Andrew Mitchell: The G20 Third Tourism Working Group Meeting in Srinagar was attended by a delegation of UK officials based in India. This decision was in line with the high priority the UK places on the G20 as a forum to address pressing global challenges. Prior to attending, safety and security considerations were among factors that were taken into account. The UK Government's position is clear that any...
Andrew Mitchell: A range of HMG instruments contribute towards plans to mobilise up to £8 billion of UK backed financing a year by 2025 - including our development finance instruments and centres of expertise. We have not set specific private sector mobilisation targets to remain flexible and tailor our offer to the investment needs of our partner countries.
Andrew Mitchell: UK Ministers are looking forward to attending the 2023 UN General Assembly in September and will ensure high representation at the three global health high-level meetings (HLM) on universal health coverage, TB and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Universal health coverage is a priority for the UK and we are with partners, working to use the high-level meeting as an important...
Andrew Mitchell: Ending gender-based violence (GBV) is a priority for the UK and is a core pillar of the FCDO's International Women and Girls Strategy. We are investing up to £67.5 million in the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale programme, the first global programme scaling up proven approaches to prevent GBV. Through the programme we will work with girls and boys, for example in schools, to...
Andrew Mitchell: The FCDO is committed to addressing barriers to education. Through the UK-led Girls' Education Challenge (GEC), over 64,000 girls excluded from school due to becoming mothers are now in education. In 2022, the GEC conducted research with pregnant girls and adolescent mothers and then published the findings, setting out how to support them to thrive in school. This includes listening to the...
Andrew Mitchell: The FCDO does not have a fixed policy on whether to attend international meetings in disputed territories. Attendance is assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with UK interests.
Andrew Mitchell: Across Africa, the UK is investing in long-term mutually beneficially partnerships with African countries and institutions to build a freer, safer, more prosperous, healthier and greener future for UK and African citizens alike. We also enjoy a strong relationship with the African Union, collaborating effectively across a range of shared priorities. We are clear that Africa's voice must be...
Andrew Mitchell: The FCDO is committed to addressing barriers to education. A key part of this is engaging with children, particularly girls, on the issues that affect them. In May 2023, officials met with adolescent girls to hear about the barriers to education they are facing, including early and forced marriage, gender-based violence, poverty and conflict. Girls' Clubs, implemented through the UK's Girls'...
Andrew Mitchell: Since 25 April, the UK has supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals and dependants out of Sudan. The UK Government continues to provide limited consular assistance to British nationals still in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis.⯠British nationals who require assistance...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government is committed to the promotion, protection and realisation of children's rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We see meaningfully engaging with children and young people as a core part of this. For example, in 2022, my predecessor, Rt Hon Vicky Ford MP convened a roundtable with young people from conflict-affected countries to hear...
Andrew Mitchell: The FCDO recognises the importance that clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities has in preventing the spread of infection and reducing the need for antimicrobials globally. The UK helped found the WASH In Healthcare Facilities international taskforce, and we push forward this agenda through our programming such as our innovative hand hygiene partnership with...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK recognises that the multilateral system needs to change to accommodate new realities. As set out in the Integrated Review refresh, we support further African representation in multilateral institutions including the G20. We are clear that Africa's voice must be heard at the world's top tables and we welcome the proposal for an African Union seat at the G20. Decisions on G20 membership...
Andrew Mitchell: Prior to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the British Ambassador and Embassy in Khartoum had engaged intensively with the two military leaderships to encourage progress towards a final political agreement and the transfer of power to a civilian administration. We provided expertise to support and inform discussions between the SAF, RSF and...
Andrew Mitchell: ...has said, summary execution, rape and torture during armed conflict amount to war crimes and could, depending on the circumstances, amount to crimes against humanity. I [the Minister for Africa, Andrew Mitchell] have since also set out the need for human rights compliance to achieve long-term stability. The UK Government continues to emphasise our support for the UN Multidimensional...
Andrew Mitchell: The outcome of the October 2023 elections is for the people of Liberia to decide. The British Embassy in Monrovia engages with the Government of Liberia, political parties, civil society and other key stakeholders on issues of good governance, the rule of law and the importance of free, fair and peaceful elections. Our Embassy is working closely with international partners including the US,...
Andrew Mitchell: ...which sets out how we will develop technology solutions to global challenges through investment in mission-driven R&D. ODA R&D allocations for 24/25 will be announced in due course, but I [Minister Mitchell] can confirm that the UK's total direct funding for R&D will reach £20 billion a year by 2024/25 as planned. This is a cash increase of around a third compared to 2021/22, and the...
