Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Between 2021-22 and 2023-24 the amount spent on International Climate Finance was £4,111 million by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, £1,179 million by the Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero / Department for Science and Technology and £250 million by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs. Figures for 2024-25 and subsequent years will be published in due course.

The UK has met all of its climate finance targets to date.

As a ratifier of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UK Government is committed to the promotion, protection and realisation of children's rights at home and overseas. Whilst the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not have a dedicated Special Envoy on Children, Ministers and Senior Officials regularly raise and advocate for increased awareness and action on cross-cutting issues affecting children through diplomatic and international engagement.

This is a priority for the Foreign Secretary: in January, he launched a new campaign to advocate for family-based care for children around the world, recognising the specific vulnerabilities faced by children in need of care and protection. Further, in November Baroness Chapman, Minister for International Development and Latin America and the Caribbean, represented the UK at the first Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children.

The UK urges the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that those detained during September 2023's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. Our Embassy in Baku pays close attention to the cases and have sought regular updates to stay informed about progress. We have also been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war. The Minister of State Stephen Doughty raised these issues with Azerbaijan's Presidential Advisor, Elchin Amirbayov, during his visit to the UK in October. In a meeting with Azerbaijan's Principal Presidential Advisor, Hikmet Hajiyev, on 10 March, the Minister of State also urged Azerbaijan to seize the opportunity to sign an historic peace deal with Armenia. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have also conveyed these messages.

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UK has put in place an unprecedented package of sanctions.

The UK has locked most of the Russian banking sector out of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), frozen Russia's sovereign assets and adopted a wide range of trade and financial sanctions measures, covering most areas of the Russian economy with the exception of trade in humanitarian goods such as food and medicine.

We will continue to bear down on Russia, ratcheting up economic pressure until it ends its brutal invasion of Ukraine.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's John Bunyan Fund provides funding to overseas posts to support the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world. UK posts are invited to submit applications that support the central objective of the fund: to curtail FoRB violations and abuses. Diplomatic missions have full control over the exact design and scope of project work to best develop an intervention that suits their specific in-country context and priorities and is complementary to any other financing they receive.

Ministers meet regularly with mutual assistance networks during their visits to countries facing humanitarian needs. During his visit to the Chad-Sudan border in January 2025, the Foreign Secretary announced £20 million in additional funding to support people in Sudan and Chad, including support to mutual aid groups, such as the Emergency Response Rooms. The previous Minister for Development also met with these networks during recent visits to both Sudan and Ethiopia where they are involved in both relief and peacebuilding, and where we have allocated UK Official Development Assistance to peacebuilding programmes in Tigray. A major purpose of the Integrated Security Fund is to provide support to civil society actors in conflict environments. Similarly, the UK continues to invest in the Peacebuilding Fund, the UN's primary mechanism supporting conflict prevention and peacebuilding activity in over 40 countries including Sudan, South Sudan, West Africa, and the Sahel. The FCDO engages regularly with civil society working on conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, including on funding for programmes.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to strengthening support for British Nationals overseas, including through the appointment of an Envoy for complex detention cases. Further details will be announced in due course.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have monitored the case of Manahel Al-Otaibi and will continue to do so. We have raised the case with the Saudi authorities. The British Embassy in Riyadh has attempted to observe Ms Al-Otaibi's trials. We will continue to discuss human rights, including individual cases of concern, with the Saudi government.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

We recognise that the status quo in Cyprus creates serious challenges for the Turkish Cypriot community, including in relation to international travel. The Government believes a just and lasting settlement is the best way of resolving these challenges and improving the lives of all Cypriots. On 18 March, I attended talks in Geneva brokered by the UN Secretary General where I encouraged all sides to engage constructively towards a Cyprus Settlement.

The UK will assist Mauritius in implementing a new Mauritian Marine Protected Area in the Archipelago, which will extend to technical, financial, capacity-building assistance, fostering long-term sustainable management.  The parties will work with international conservation organisations to ensure the implementation of science-backed strategies for conservation.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) promotes economic development in Official Development Assistance-eligible territories primarily through budget support and essential capital programmes. These amounted to £100.53million in Financial Year 24/25 and, with advisory input, enables the development of diversified private sector economies.

While non-aided Overseas Territories (OTs) are responsible for their own public finance decisions and economic policy, the FCDO provides technical assistance and project funding to improve diversification. This has included, but is not limited to, funding a financial adviser, contributing to the airport redevelopment in Anguilla and providing infrastructure expertise available to all OTs. The FCDO continues to engage with the OTs on matters related to diversification.

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) has some of the most biodiverse waters on the planet with over 220 species of coral, 855 species of fish and 355 species of molluscs. Since its designation as a Marine Protected Area in 2010, the BIOT Administration has managed environmental policy across the archipelago, with marine conservation efforts supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Blue Belt Programme. The agreement between the UK and Mauritius will be supported by an enhanced partnership on conservation under which the UK will support Mauritius to establish a Marine Protected Area that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Archipelago.

All UK International Climate Finance (ICF) supports developing countries with capital investment, technical assistance, and capacity building to help drive the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient and nature positive development paths. Since 2011 UK ICF programmes have directly supported over 110 million people adapt to the effects of climate change; reduced or avoided over 105 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and provided over 82 million people with improved access to clean energy.

I recognise there are human rights issues in both India Administered Kashmir and Pakistan Administered Kashmir. We raise issues, where we have them, directly with the governments of India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan are important friends of the UK, and we have strong and deep bilateral relationships with both. It is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

China remains the decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine through its large-scale support for Russia.

On 13 February the Foreign Secretary met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, underlined the UK's ironclad commitment to Ukraine and urged China to prevent its companies supporting Russia's military. The Foreign Secretary made it clear that we would continue to sanction Chinese companies which are providing the vast majority of dual use components to Russia.

The House will also wish to note that in light of the continued flow of these components from China to Russia this Government is now minded to refuse licenses for controlled goods on the Common High Priority list exported for stock to China. Guidance for UK exporters has been updated to this effect.

The UK Government condemns any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief, regardless of the country or faith involved. Concerns about the rights and opportunities of some religious minorities and communities in India are widely reported, and our High Commission in New Delhi and network of Deputy High Commissions across India track these issues closely.

Dialogue concerning freedom of religion or belief is an important aspect of the UK-India relationship, and where we have specific concerns, we raise them directly with Indian authorities. Our network in India also meets regularly with religious representatives from different faith communities.

Since July 2024, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has had no staff seconded from Hakluyt.

We will retain full control over Diego Garcia with robust provisions to keep adversaries out. These include unrestricted access to and use of the base for the UK and US, including control over the electromagnetic spectrum; a buffer zone around Diego Garcia; a comprehensive mechanism to ensure no activity in the other islands threatens base operations; and a ban on the presence of any foreign security forces. The details will be set out when the treaty is laid before Parliament.

As stated in the reply to PQ 25391, the US presence and operations in the British Indian Ocean Territory are governed by a series of international agreements, which set out that the whole Territory should be made available for UK and US defence purposes. In 2016, the UK and US agreed to extend the provisions of the 1966 Exchange of Notes for an additional 20 years. The 1966 Exchange of Notes and other additions to the Notes are available at the United Nations Treaty Database Website.

Russia has sought to undermine fragile democracies and fan ethnic tensions across the Western Balkans. This threatens hard-won peace and stability in the region and the ambitions for greater European integration chosen by states. We will continue work to counter other Russian hybrid threats in the region, including through support to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners and programming on cyber security and counter-disinformation. Furthermore, the UK will host the 2025 Berlin Process, to support wider efforts for stability, security and economic co-operation across the Western Balkans region (including Albania).

By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.

Our military activities at the Sovereign Base Areas are central to the UK's humanitarian and hostage rescue efforts, support the UK's efforts with international partners to de-escalate conflict and reinforce stability. The use of the military bases is in line with international humanitarian law and with our humanitarian objectives.

The Atlantic Declaration was agreed with the Biden Administration under the previous UK government. Since entering office last year, we have taken a case-by-case approach to its initiatives in support of this government's missions. This included a meeting of the UK-US Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation in August 2024 and the second Strategic Technologies Investment Council in November 2024. As the Prime Minister said, we are committed to pursuing an economic deal with the new US administration with advanced technology at its core.

Europe's security is critical to our own and we recognise the contribution of many of the EU's military operations and missions to regional security. We see the European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) as vital for peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We are open to discussions about opportunities for the UK to cooperate more closely with EU missions, considering UK engagement on a case-by-case basis. We will continue to support security and stability in BiH through our bilateral contributions in support of their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

UK officials, including staff from our Embassy in Tirana, are working with international partners on monitoring plans ahead of May's Parliamentary elections in Albania, and the UK will be contributing monitors to join the scheduled Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) International Monitoring Mission.

Russia is making extensive efforts to circumvent sanctions in order to maintain its military machine. Our focus is on stopping these critical goods from reaching Russia and deprive Russia from generating revenue to fund the war. That includes ensuring our sanctions are as effective as possible. We are coordinating closely with G7 partners on our efforts to tackle circumvention risks across a number of priority countries including Serbia, and our support has ranged from technical assistance to diplomatic engagement at all levels.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.

The UK Government remains committed to supporting the Overseas Territories, and is funding programmes to increase long term capacity and capability in the Overseas Territories in receipt of Official Development Assistance (ODA). The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and ODA. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of the Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) remains a consistent supporter of efforts to tackle corruption in Albania, through diplomatic engagement and programmes funded by the UK's Integrated Security Fund (ISF) and FCDO Official Development Assistance (ODA). Ongoing support includes working with Albania's security and justice institutions to strengthen accountability and transparency, support to lawmakers to improve the effectiveness of legislation, and empowering journalists to act as effective watchdogs for corruption in public procurement and appointments.

The Foreign Secretary is in regular contact with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Allies as well as Ukraine on how to achieve a just and lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine's security and sovereignty. The Foreign Secretary attended the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Canada from 12-14 March 2025, which discussed security support for Ukraine. The UK has been clear that when this war ends, Ukraine will need robust security guarantees to ensure against future Russian aggression. The UK is playing a leading role alongside France to build a coalition of countries willing to play a role in supporting Ukraine's future security.

The Blue Belt Programme, which is funded by the FCDO, has provided £1,230,562 since 1 April 2022 to support the British Indian Ocean Territory manage its Marine Protected Area. This includes measures to prevent illegal fishing through satellite monitoring and joint surveillance with Sri Lanka and India, as well as a coastal monitoring plan.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides money for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration for the good governance of the territory, including environmental protection. The FCDO does not itself spend money for maintaining the BIOT Marine Protected Area, outside of the Blue Belt programme. The Blue Belt Programme, which is funded by the FCDO, has provided £1,230,562 since 1 April 2022 to support BIOT manage its Marine Protected Area.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Home Office, which leads on addressing malign information activity aimed at UK audiences, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) which leads on online safety and information threats in the UK. The FCDO is responsible for understanding and addressing information threats relating to third countries, deterring hostile activity globally and building a global ecosystem through partnerships to collectively challenge the threat.

The Foreign Secretary recognised the importance of 'stepping up action with allies on Kremlin Disinformation' in his January 2025 Locarno speech.

We have dedicated resources to identifying foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and taking action against Russian networks. This includes sanctioning the Social Design Agency (SDA) for attempting to undermine and destabilise Ukraine; exposing Russia's attempts at electoral interference in Moldova and exposing how RT (formerly Russia Today) engages in covert influence on behalf of the Kremlin.

We are driving a collaborative international approach - the G7 pledged to 'strengthen our coordinated efforts to better prevent, detect and respond to FIMI threats'. In January 2025, the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism exposed ongoing deceitful activity of RT and the SDA to advance Russia's interests.

We have a range of programmes to build societal resilience in third countries to protect against deceptive information campaigns, and we will continue to provide factual narratives to global audiences.

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

Both the Foreign Secretary and his officials are speaking regularly with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and his officials about the future of the UK-US Trade partnership. To echo the Prime Minister's remarks during his meeting with President Trump on 27 February 2025: we will go further and work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core. We will set out more details as discussions evolve.

The agreement will be supported by an enhanced partnership between the UK and Mauritius on conservation. This partnership will prioritise high conservation standards, with the UK supporting Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago. This will extend to technical, financial, capacity-building assistance, fostering long-term sustainable management.

A just and lasting peace is vital for Ukraine and for wider Euro-Atlantic and international security and prosperity. Russia has sought to undermine fragile democracies and fan ethnic tensions across the Western Balkans. This threatens hard-won peace and stability in the region and the ambitions for greater European integration chosen by states. We will continue to counter Russian interference in the region, including through supporting North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners, programming on cyber security and counter-disinformation and wider efforts to promote stability and security.