The 2030 target to halt and reverse forest loss, which was agreed by over 140 states at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP26 is coming more sharply into view.  The UK is committed to working with all our partners, including specialist organisations such as the European Forest Institute, to make it a reality. […] The post Forests in focus on International Day of Forests first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

First printed in the physical edition of La Prensa on 27th of  February 2024. Twenty-five years ago I had the good fortune to be living in Russia. My wife and I spent almost four years in Moscow. We felt so lucky to be able to travel all around that most extraordinary country. In many ways, […] The post Russia – 25 years of broken hopes and smashed dreams first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

Almost a decade ago, the world agreed that by 2030 we must achieve gender equality and empower ALL women and girls. But, in 2024, we are nowhere near achieving this. Why?  Rather than countries coming together at the United Nations to make progress, a vocal minority are actively trying to undermine gender equality through the UN.   The post Gender equality is non-negotiable first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

Being part of the educational process in each country requires a person to have a set of different skills among which being a leader and influencing community changes through policy-making and future generations. Working as a professor means being a researcher at the same time, and those two areas are the ones that complement one […] The post There are no borders in knowledge, those are just contours of new horizons and possibilities first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

World War I was a defining moment in history, a global conflict that changed the course of nations and lives forever. It touched every corner of the world, including this very country where I have the privilege to serve as His Majesty’s Ambassador. Here, under the Macedonian sky, lies a significant site that has a […] The post Remembrance of WW1 Veterans in Skopje: Lessons for a United NATO Alliance first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

Over the 20 years since the UNCAC was adopted we have learned a lot about what enables the Convention to drive change - for the UK it comes down to two key principles: transparency and inclusion of civil society. The post Why we need partnership with civil society to tackle corruption   first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

If anyone sensible was trying to design a system to get countries from across the world to reach agreement on tricky, highly sensitive issues, then they wouldn’t do it like this. First, call a very long meeting. Let’s say five weeks long. But make sure it comes hot on the heels of two other very […] The post Exhausted Nations first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

Innovation and invention will help us to overcome some of the most important challenges facing the world today. That’s why I’m so excited that the team here in Australia is launching its Science and Technology Season. Over the next ten weeks we will run trade missions, attend trade shows, host visits and events all focused […] The post UK in Australia launch Science and Technology Season first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is one of the most significant organisations in the UN system. When I started my internship, I found both the IAEA and the UK Mission in a flurry of activity. Preparations were underway for the IAEA’s General Conference, a central event in the Agency’s calendar... The post Atomic Diplomacy: What I Learnt Interning at the UK Mission first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more

Hi, I’m Layla and I’ve taken over Judith Herbertson’s role as Head of Girls’ Education Department for the day. I’m 16 years old, currently studying my A levels in geography, history and politics. I’m interested in a career in international development because I want to make a difference by helping others.  I’ve taken over Judith’s […] The post Being the Head of Girls’ Education Department for a day first appeared on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs ..read more