Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The UK has been clear that the outcome of the presidential elections on 28 July 2024 was neither free nor fair and that Nicolas Maduro's claim to power is fraudulent. The results published by the opposition appear to show Edmundo Gonzalez secured the most votes by a significant margin. Whilst the UK does not accept the legitimacy of the current administration put in place by Nicolás Maduro, we maintain limited engagement with Venezuelan officials where necessary.

We condemn the Myanmar military's continued use of airstrikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including healthcare facilities. We are particularly concerned by reports that the military has continued to attack healthcare facilities after the recent earthquake. Since the coup in 2021, the UK has announced ten sanctions specifically targeting the military's ability to procure aviation fuel.

At the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, the Falkland Islands and Saint Helena committed to implement fully public registers by April 2025. The British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands agreed to implement registers of beneficial ownership, accessible to those with a legitimate interest, by June 2025. It remains our expectation that the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will ultimately implement fully public registers, such as those that are already in place in Gibraltar and Montserrat.

Every Territory is making progress towards these commitments and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are in regular contact with counterparts in the Overseas Territories on their proposals for registers to ensure they meet the agreement made at JMC. The Cayman Islands has introduced an accessible beneficial ownership register. Officials are working together to ensure that this system offers the best possible level of transparency and accessibility.

The Minister of State, Stephen Doughty MP continues to raise this directly with elected leaders across the Overseas Territories including a recent conference call with all leaders and representatives - and has recently spoken to and written to the Premiers of a number of territories individually on this issue, and offered further assistance to the small number who remain off track from meeting their commitments.

In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent state. Several UN Security Council Resolutions and other multilateral agreements limit links between the UK and the north of Cyprus. However, we support measures aimed at reducing the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community within these constraints. This includes promoting rule of law, good governance, open societies, and positive inter-communal relations. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials regularly engage members of the Cypriot diaspora, including from the Turkish Cypriot community.

Working closely with the science, technology and research sectors is an integral part of our approach to conflict prevention. Since 2022, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has partnered with open-source investigation (OSINT) organisations that use remote technology to identify conflict risks and enable us to act earlier to help protect civilians. In regions where there are risks of violence, the FCDO has funded projects such as the Centre for Information Resilience's (CIR) Witness Project, which uses remote sensing technology to verify events in Sudan for the purposes of early warning of atrocities and to de-bunk denial and disinformation. We regularly engage with academic and research institutions to discuss the challenges and opportunities that technology poses to conflict prevention efforts. Most recently, we discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in conflict risk forecasting at a roundtable meeting with researchers from University College London and several other institutions at Chatham House in March 2025.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of the spending review.

We condemn Russia's barbaric assault against Ukraine's civilian population. From 24 February 2022 to 30 April 2025, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded 45,001 civilian casualties in Ukraine: 13,134 killed and 31,867 injured. April was the deadliest month for civilians since September 2024. The actual figures are believed to be considerably higher given the challenges of receiving accurate information from locations under Russian control.

Since 2014, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (through the Human Rights Monitoring Mechanism on Ukraine (HRMMU)) has maintained a comprehensive record of conflict-related civilian casualties in Ukraine, with data disaggregated by sex, age, place of incident, and type of incident or weapon involved. The UK has provided support to the HRMMU and, overall, we are among the top 10 donors to OHCHR.

We are working closely with our humanitarian partners in Ukraine to protect the most vulnerable and prevent the worst impacts of the conflict on people. This includes support to the Red Cross Movement who help identify bodies and exchange mortal remains of casualties of war in Ukraine.

The UK is aware that the Government of India has placed the Indus Water Treaty into abeyance due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. It is critical for all countries and international partners to work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Indus River system, a water system that is critical to both India and Pakistan. The UK Government stands ready to offer its support to India and Pakistan in their efforts to ensure the sustainable and equitable management of the Indus River system in the face of a changing climate.

The UK has announced up to £25 million in life-saving support for people affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar. The UK diversifies aid delivery through multilateral agencies, and local organisations, with almost 65 per cent of the UK's funding directed to local organisations on the ground in Myanmar.

Through our flag-ship humanitarian programme, UK support through local organisations has reached over 201,000 people since the earthquake with essential humanitarian support. Overall, since the earthquake, UK-funded food, water, healthcare, and shelter has supported over 360,000 people so far.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to follow the guidance of the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) who advise His Majesty's Government on policies and procedures for the representation of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic. For names of international maritime features beyond any sovereignty, PCGN usually advises reflecting the common English conventional name, which for this body of water is the 'Gulf of Mexico'.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all Government Departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.

Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the 'Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship' (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.

Moreover, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are working on aligning our apprenticeship approach with our capability framework. For example, we are exploring new apprenticeship opportunities to scale our approach and build internal capability on Data and AI.

The UK and Canada's deep and broad relationship is strengthened by the large diaspora of each nation's citizens present in both countries. The existing UK immigration offer supports migration through a variety of different routes which enable Canadian individuals to live, work and study in the UK. Canadian visa applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as long as they meet the specific visa requirements and eligibility requirements for the route. However, the migration of UK citizens to Canada is a matter for the Canadian government.

We urge all States to ensure those in detention are treated in line with international human rights law. Discussions of non-British nationals in Guantanamo Bay are a matter for the US and the nations of those detained.

The China Audit will conclude shortly. In line with the Government's manifesto commitment, the Audit has involved extensive consultations with hundreds of individuals, organisations, academic institutions, businesses and public bodies, including all central government departments and the Devolved Governments. National security considerations are central to the audit. It will improve the UK's ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.

The Secret Intelligence Service does not comment publicly on internal policy decisions.

This is a critical moment for the security of Europe. We welcome European efforts to increase defence spending, through the ReArm initiative and proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. This must be a whole-of-Europe effort, in alignment with NATO, which remains the cornerstone of European security.

The UK and the EU have agreed an ambitious new Security and Defence Partnership as part of a wider package that delivers for the British people. The Security and Defence Partnership sets the framework for closer defence industrial collaboration, including potential participation in the EU's proposed €150bn Security Action for Europe instrument.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation process, following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. Decisions on individual programmes and thematic areas will be based on various factors including equality impact assessments.

The UK is committed to promoting and defending universal and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including safe abortion. The evidence shows that supporting comprehensive SRHR through proven evidence-based public health interventions saves lives and supports prosperity. The UK's commitment to defending and promoting SRHR has never just been about aid. We will use multiple levers: working to influence policy, through health and development diplomacy, as well as using our ODA budget, to advance SRHR for all.

By the end of the last financial year, the UK had provided over £477 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion. This support included funding for the Humanitarian Action through Volunteers, Enablers and Networks (HAVEN) vital work in frontline areas. During a visit to Lviv on 9 May, the Foreign Secretary announced almost £25 million of new humanitarian funding for Ukraine which includes an additional £10 million for the HAVEN consortium, enabling them to continue providing essential frontline assistance this financial year.

On 9 May, the Foreign Secretary travelled with European partners to Lviv, where they formally endorsed the legal texts required to establish a Special Tribunal to hold those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to account. On 12 May he hosted Foreign Ministers from the Weimar+ group of key European allies to discuss our joint efforts to strengthen European security and secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The Prime Minister attended the Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders' Summit in Oslo on 9 May and travelled to Kyiv on 10 May alongside President Macron, Chancellor Merz, and Prime Minister Tusk, where he met President Zelenskyy and co-chaired a virtual meeting of leaders from the Coalition of the Willing. These discussions continue. The Prime Minister also announced in Oslo our largest ever package of sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet raising the total number of ships designated for transporting Russian energy past 250, including 233 oil tankers - the highest by any country.

The UK's Counter-Terrorism strategy, CONTEST, seeks to reduce the risk from terrorism to the UK, its citizens and interests overseas, so people can live freely and with confidence. The UK, thus, prioritises international terrorism that affects us and our interests. The overwhelming majority of the terrorist threat to the UK is from non-state actors such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda. However, the lines are increasingly blurred between state and non-state threats. The UK has multiple tools to reduce terrorism risk under the four CONTEST pillars of Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare, and these can be applied in certain cases in a threat agnostic manner. Accountability measures come under Pursue: to disrupt and degrade. We work with and through bilateral and international partners to build capacity to support the investigation and prosecution of terrorists in a rule of law and human rights compliant manner, in efforts to hold them accountable by bringing them to justice. Another tool in Pursue is multilateral (UN Security Council Resolution 1267) and sovereign 'CT2' sanctions, which we use to build international solidarity and to disrupt terrorists' activities. Significant international terrorist threats to the UK, regardless of ideology, are listed under the CT2 regime.

We will publish the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Official Development Assistance allocations for Financial Year 2025/26 in the Annual Report & Accounts in July.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has established comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability among its ambassadors. These guidelines are designed to mitigate conflicts of interest and maintain high ethical standards. Ambassadors are required to declare any personal or business interests that may influence their judgement in performing their duties. They must also report any gifts and hospitality they receive. The FCDO maintains an internal register for these declarations, which is regularly reviewed to uphold the integrity of the diplomatic service.

As previously stated, I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikova's disappearance. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials continue to follow the case closely. Our understanding is that her daughters are currently in Belarus with their father. As the situation regarding the circumstances of Ms Melnikova's disappearance remain unclear, I have not raised this with international counterparts.

Recent violence against the Druze community in Syria was appalling. In our statement on 3 May, we publicly urged the Syrian government to take steps to shield civilians from violence and hold those responsible to account. The protection of all civilians and their full inclusion in the transition process is vital for peace in Syria. This will continue to be a priority in our engagement with the Syrian government.

We continue to engage with our allies across the world on defence, trade and foreign policy relations. It is the long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on matters of national security and private diplomatic meetings. I refer the Rt Hon Member to the read outs available on gov.uk.

We regularly engage with Israel, including to discuss recent events in Syria and the importance of refraining from actions that could risk aggravating tensions between Syrian communities. We will continue to work with the Syrian Government and international partners, including Israel, to advocate for the protection all Syrians.

At this time of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has taken the decision to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product from 2027, funded by reducing Official Development Assistance to 0.3 per cent of gross national income.

We are currently working through the details of the Prime Minister's announcement, including engagement with a range of stakeholders.

The UK is a major humanitarian donor to Sudan with £226.5 million provided in financial year (FY) 2024/25 and a further £120 million in support this current FY which the Foreign Secretary announced at the London Sudan Conference on 15 April. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, millions of Sudanese civilians have benefitted from UK-funded humanitarian programmes including survivors of sexual violence. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office officials are now determining how funding for FY 2025/26 will be allocated and further information will be provided in due course.

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions on ODA allocations.

The UK is committed to empowering women and girls around the world through our international work.

According to the United Nations Financial Tracking Service, as of 9 May the UK has contributed $260.4 million to UN-coordinated appeals in 2025 so far. Of this, $198.9 million went to Humanitarian Response Plans and Needs and Response Plans. This data is gathered and reported by the UN; The UK's official Statistics on International Development, covering the whole of 2025, will be published in autumn next year.

The UK will continue to play a key humanitarian role, including in Sudan, in Ukraine, and in Gaza. For example, last month we announced £120 million in new support for Sudan, which will target over 600,000 people with lifesaving assistance.

The UK remains committed to ensuring justice for Ukrainian survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). We will continue to provide capacity building support to respond to CRSV through the UK Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI), to help embed international guidance and best practice, including on survivor-centred approaches, into the work of Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors.

As the Prime Minister has said in Parliament, we will continue to support Ukraine's humanitarian needs. Funding allocation decisions for the current financial year are ongoing, and we will prioritise support for those most in need. We continue to work with international partners and non-governmental organisations to respond to those urgent needs. The second phase of the Spending Review is currently underway and will inform spending plans for 2026/27 onwards.

Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have reaffirmed the need to support Ukraine's needs over the long term as a priority for our future development assistance. Detailed decisions on how the Official Developmental Assistance budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments. Funding allocation decisions for the current financial year are ongoing and will prioritise support for those most in need, including for Ukraine.

Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have reaffirmed the need to support Ukraine's needs over the long term as a priority for our future development assistance. Detailed decisions on how the Official Developmental Assistance budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments. Funding allocation decisions for the current financial year are ongoing and will prioritise support for those most in need, including for Ukraine.

Tackling the climate and nature emergency is a priority for this Government. The UK has strong regulations to protect the environment and contravention of many of these is a criminal offence. At the international level, we are aware of the proposal by Vanuatu to recognise ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute, in addition to the environmental protections the Statute already provides during armed conflict. We welcome the leadership shown by Pacific Island States on environmental issues and will consider this proposal in cooperation with all of our international partners.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has estimated that the Voluntary Exit Scheme could result in annual savings of £35-40 million. The Scheme is still in progress, with exits taking place by the end of this Financial Year. We do not yet know how many staff will accept Voluntary Exit, or the profile of the staff who will leave, which will have an impact on the savings achieved.

We are proud of our fast, flexible, and responsive support to Ukrainians living through Russia's invasion. The UK has provided £477 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion. The Prime Minister has recently said in Parliament that we will continue to support Ukraine's humanitarian needs. Funding allocation decisions for the current financial year are ongoing, which will prioritise support for those most in need. We continue to work with Ukrainian government systems, local organisations, international partners, and non-governmental organisations to respond to those needs.

The UK condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. Our thoughts are with those affected, their loved ones and the people of India. The UK and India have a long-standing security relationship, including on counter-terrorism and we work together both bilaterally and through multilateral mechanisms. We continue to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation to take decisive and concerted action against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities. India hosted the sixteenth meeting of the UK-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi in May 2024. We look forward to hosting the seventeenth Joint Working Group this year in London.

Ensuring the utmost safety of British nationals - and the protection of British interests - in India will continue to inform our deepening relationship with the Government of India.

Recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine is estimated to require a total cost of $524 billion over the next decade. Given the scale of the damage, the UK's aim is to use its Official Developmental Assistance resources to deliver impact directly, mobilise other financing and facilitate the UK private sector to engage in supporting the recovery process.

Through initiatives like the Foundations for Infrastructure and Recovery (FIRE) programme, we are helping the Government of Ukraine to lay the foundations for a robust approach to infrastructure identification, appraisal, project preparation, design, and delivery in support of Ukraine's reconstruction.

Through the UK-led multi-donor programme Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU), we support local Ukrainian authorities with direct assistance to enable the repair of critical services in regions on the front line. In its first phase, PFRU completed 401 rapid recovery interventions to improve service delivery across eight oblasts in front line areas, enabling more than 2 million residents to regain access to priority services such as healthcare, education, power, and water supplies. Our funding remains prioritised to those in greatest need.

The UK is a leading bilateral donor to Ukraine. In 2022-23, UK Official Developmental Assistance (ODA) spend for Ukraine was £210.11 million and in 2023-2024 it was £222.95 million.

The UK allocated £236.7 million of ODA financing for Ukraine in the 2024/25 financial year. The final outturn and future planned allocations will be published in the 2024-25 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report and Accounts in summer 2025 (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-02-06/hcws421 5 February 2025).

Once the treaty is signed it will be put before both Houses for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way.

Prior to the UK's departure from the EU, in December 2018, the UK wrote to all 27 EU Member States signalling willingness to enter into bilateral agreements to ensure continuity of local election voting and candidacy rights (VCR) for each other's citizens.

Some EU countries already grant local voting rights to UK nationals, and we have bilateral agreements with other EU Member States.

A number of EU Member States have constitutional barriers which prevent them from entering into bilateral agreements.

Russia's increasing recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in its illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates its underlying weakness. We have noted recent reports of Chinese citizens deployed by Russia in Ukraine. We have seen no evidence of state sponsorship in relation to these recent reports, but we continue to monitor the situation.

We are unable to provide an estimate of the overall costs of diplomatic engagement with any single country. Diplomatic engagement takes place through a range of different activities and forums, and may include bilateral in-person engagement, virtual meetings, or visits; activities in multilateral forums or public events; or the operations of UK embassies and High Commissions. It may also include a wide range of timescales, geographic locations, interlocutors, and government departments.