Russia’s war of aggression remains a major concern for every State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear  Weapons

  • The ongoing war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine remains a major concern for every State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear  Weapons (NPT).

  • We, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria,  Canada, Chad, Cyprus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,  France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan,  Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova,  Monaco, Montenegro, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, North  Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino,  Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the  United States of American, Ukraine and the European Union reaffirm our unwavering  support to the legitimate and sovereign Ukrainian authorities, as well as to Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders.

  • We reiterate our strongest condemnation of the ongoing unprovoked and unjustifiable  war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. This constitutes a gross  violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter.

  • We reaffirm our commitment to the NPT as the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament  and non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear  disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

  • We deplore the Russian Federation’s dangerous nuclear rhetoric, actions and  provocative statements about raising its nuclear alert levels, which are inconsistent with  the recent P5 Leaders Joint Statement on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms  Races.

  • We are deeply concerned that the Russian Federation, a Nuclear-Weapon State, is  undermining international peace, security and stability, the international non-proliferation architecture and the integrity and objectives of the NPT by waging its illegal  war of aggression against Ukraine. We condemn the Russian Federation’s actions,  which are in complete disregard of its international obligations and commitments and a  betrayal of the security assurances that the Russian Federation provided to Ukraine  under the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 in connection with Ukraine’s accession to  the NPT, as a Non-Nuclear Weapon State.

  • We condemn the abhorrent actions of the Russian Federation, which have had the effect  of depriving Ukraine of control over Ukrainian nuclear facilities and disrupting its  exercise of its inalienable right to develop research, production and use of nuclear  energy for peaceful purposes.

  • We remain profoundly concerned by the serious threat that the seizure of Ukrainian  nuclear facilities and other actions by Russian armed forces pose to the safety and  security of these facilities, significantly raising the risk of a nuclear accident or incident  and endangering the population of Ukraine, neighbouring states and the international  community. These actions also undermine the IAEA’s ability to implement its important  safeguards mission in Ukraine and to continue to verify the peaceful nature of Ukraine’s  nuclear activities.

  • We recognize and praise the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian staff at Ukrainian nuclear  facilities, particularly at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and Chornobyl, who  continue to work tirelessly to ensure nuclear safety in Ukraine, despite working under  immense pressure in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against  Ukraine.

  • We condemn the interference of the representatives of the Russian Federation in the  ZNPP’s operations and efforts to extend the Russian Federation’s control over the plant.  We demand that Russia immediately withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine and hand  back full control of ZNPP as well as of all nuclear facilities within Ukraine’s internationally  recognized borders to the proper Ukrainian authorities in order to ensure their safe and secure operations. Ukraine operated these facilities safely, securely, and peacefully for  decades. Ukrainian operators and regulatory inspectors at ZNPP must have full access  and must be able to carry out their duties without intimidation, threats or pressure.

  • We welcome and support the Government of Ukraine’s and the IAEA’s efforts to  strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, and we thank the IAEA for its  steadfast commitment in this regard. We underline the importance of facilitating a  mission of IAEA experts to ZNPP to address nuclear safety, security and safeguards  concerns, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its territory and  infrastructure. We strongly endorse the importance of the IAEA Director General’s  “Seven Indispensable Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security” derived from the IAEA’s  nuclear safety standards and nuclear security guidance. We encourage all NPT States  parties to support the IAEA’s efforts.

  • We reiterate our call on the Russian Federation to end its brutal and premeditated war of aggression, and to withdraw immediately, completely, and unconditionally its armed forces and equipment from the territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized  borders.

  • We also condemn Belarus for its complicity in the Russian aggression against Ukraine. 14.We remain steadfast in our solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to supporting the government and people of Ukraine in their courageous defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in their fight for a peaceful and prosperous future.



    • There is no military solution to Libya’s crisis of legitimacy

    Thank you President.

    I would like to thank USG DiCarlo for her briefing, and Raisedon Zenenga and his team in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya for their continued work in difficult circumstances.

    I also thank Ambassador Kamboj for her briefing on the 1970 Committee and I welcome the participation of the representative of Libya in our meeting today.

    President, I will make three points.

    First, the United Kingdom condemns the violence perpetrated by armed groups in Tripoli on 26 and 27 August. The use of violence by armed groups – whether to acquire control of territory or local resources, or to end political stalemate – is unacceptable. As we’ve just heard, the actions of armed groups this weekend resulted only in innocent civilian casualties and the destruction of civil infrastructure. Our condolences go to the victims and their families.

    Such violence is a result of the presence of parallel governments and the misappropriation of state resources. The Libyan parties, and the international community, must acknowledge that there is no military solution to Libya’s crisis of legitimacy. Rather, all Libyan parties must engage constructively with a UN-brokered political process, supported by the wider international community, to agree a path towards free, fair and inclusive elections as soon as possible.

    We must also ensure that the resources of the Libyan people are managed in a transparent, responsible and accountable manner. The wishes of the Libyan people must be prioritised ahead of narrow self-interests.

    Second, I encourage all Council members to agree to the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General immediately. Increased tension and violence only illustrates the need for the urgent appointment of a Special Representative to lead mediation efforts. I call upon this Council to stand ready to support the Special Representative to deliver an inclusive and comprehensive political process.

    Finally, in recent weeks a number of diplomatic missions have faced restrictions on their movements within Libya. The Libyan authorities must allow full freedom of movement and travel within its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. We also emphasise the importance of allowing individuals and organisations delivering activity on behalf of embassies freedom to carry out their work.

    President, the United Kingdom reaffirms its readiness to work with Libyan stakeholders, the incoming SRSG, and all international partners to work towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Libya.

    Thank you.



    Future of London’s transport network secured with government’s multi-billion pound settlement

    • long-term settlement supporting nearly £3.6 billion of projects agreed with TfL
    • settlement includes just under £1.2 billion of funding, taking total government support to more than £6 billion
    • deal will secure £80 million every year for active travel schemes

    A settlement which will support almost £3.6 billion worth of projects and secure the long-term future of London’s transport network has today (30 August 2022) been agreed with TfL.

    The settlement, which includes just under £1.2 billion of upfront funding and brings government’s total funding to over £6 billion, matches the Mayor’s own pre-pandemic spending plans. It will ensure the network is not only protected against potential lost revenue caused by uncertainty of post-pandemic demand but will also enable the delivery of a number of projects set to revolutionise travel across London.

    This will include brand new Piccadilly line trains, as well as modernisations and upgrades across the District, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City and Circle lines for millions of Londoners.

    Specific upgrades include supporting the long-awaited repair of Hammersmith Bridge, the extension of the Northern Line and vital improvements to Elephant and Castle station – none of which would have been possible without this funding.

    The landmark deal will dedicate £80 million every year to active travel schemes, expanding  walking and cycling infrastructure which will reduce congestion and pollution across the capital. The deal also sees the establishment of an independent property company that will start on 20,000 homes on TfL’s land within 10 years.

    As part of the agreement, the government ensured the Mayor agreed to continue work on the introduction of driverless trains on London Underground, something the Transport Secretary believes is key in London maintaining its position as Europe’s greatest transport network.

    Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

    For over 2 years now we’ve time and again shown our unwavering commitment to London and the transport network it depends on, but we have to be fair to taxpayers across the entire country.

    This deal more than delivers for Londoners and even matches the Mayor’s own pre-pandemic spending plans but for this to work, the Mayor must follow through on his promises to get TfL back on a steady financial footing, stop relying on government bailouts and take responsibility for his actions. Now is the time to put politics to one side and get on with the job – Londoners depend on it.

    As part of the settlement the Mayor has also committed to:

    • submitting proposals to reform pensions, in line with TfL’s plans to become financially sustainable, by the end of September
    • continue to progress ongoing initiatives to modernise, reform and become more efficient
    • achieve the revenue generation proposals promised in February and progress proposals through public consultation

    The Mayor and TfL will be responsible for setting out and implementing areas where these changes can be made as well as accelerating crucial reforms to ensure TfL becomes financially sustainable by 2023.

    This latest settlement follows on from 4 previous emergency deals, over £5 billion of upfront funding and a pledge of over a billion pounds of investment per year at the most recent spending review at a time of significant financial pressure to ensure vital services remained running.



    New framework announced to tackle industrial emissions across the UK

    Pollution caused by industrial emissions is set to be reduced and environmental performance improved under a new framework of regulation that will better protect our air, water and land.

    The UK’s new Best Available Techniques framework will enable regulators and industry to work together to identify and apply up to date, challenging standards when it comes to reducing harmful emissions.

    Under the permits granted by environmental regulators to industrial facilities – such as textile and chemical industries – businesses must use the best techniques available to them to prevent or minimise emissions and their impacts on the environment.

    The new framework will see the UK government and Devolved Administrations (the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and DAERA) working with industry and local councils to identify these methods – known as ‘Best Available Techniques’ (BAT) – from across the UK’s largest industries. This process includes agreeing and setting emissions limits within environmental permits and determining the types of technologies and methods operators should use to reduce their environmental impact.

    Building on existing levels of environmental protection, it aims to develop higher standards for industrial emissions, as the UK moves away from the EU’s regulatory framework towards one that better caters to UK businesses and the wellbeing of local communities. The collaborative approach will also give industry greater certainty to support investment that will drive forward innovation in cleaner technologies.

    A new governance structure will also be established, with new independent bodies – called the Standards Council and the Regulators Group – consisting of government officials and expert regulators from all four nations of the UK. A UK Air Quality Governance Group will also be established to oversee the work of the Standards Council and the delivery of the requirements under this new framework. Interested parties from industry, academia and civil society will be able to engage in the running of the BAT system through an advisory group being set up by the UK BAT Team.

    Environment Minister Steve Double said:

    Tackling emissions is essential to reduce the damaging effects of air, water and land pollution on people and the environment. The new framework and collaborative approach will ensure higher standards for industrial emissions across the UK and a more effective governance structure to support industry in finding the best available techniques to meet these standards.

    This builds on the wide range of actions we are already taking through our existing legal framework to drive down pollutants and improve public health and the environment.

    Local councils currently play a major role in regulating industrial installations in England and Wales and have a clear interest in the impact emissions have on the health of local communities and the environment. The new regime will bring local councils into the BAT framework for the first time by involving them in the governance and standard-setting processes.

    Some sectors in the UK had already begun a separate review process under the old EU BAT framework. These sectors will complete the BAT process, drawing on UK data submitted to the EU as a starting point, then tailor the BAT to meet UK circumstances.

    Air pollution at a national level continues to reduce significantly. Through this new framework government is setting higher standards for the country’s largest industries and going further to prevent and minimise harmful emissions being released into the environment.

    This builds on work already underway as part of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy – the most ambitious air quality strategy in a generation – which aims to halve the harm to human health caused by air pollution by 2030.



    HRT Taskforce presents recommendations to support future supply

    • Recommendations are to be taken forward by Department of Health and Social Care to help ensure continued HRT supply meets demand
    • Forms part of wider work to support menopausal women access the health and care they need and tackle the gender health gap

    Action will be taken to make supplies of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) more resilient as Head of the HRT Taskforce Madelaine McTernan presents her key recommendations to support future management of the supply chain.

    The recommendations will inform the work of the department and the UK wide menopause taskforce as Ms McTernan has returned to working full time as the Director General of the Vaccine Taskforce as preparation for the autumn booster campaign ramps up.

    Improving access to HRT forms part of the government’s wider commitment to tackle the gender health gap, including support for menopausal women. The Women’s Health Strategy, published earlier this year, includes the menopause as a key area.

    Access to HRT has improved following decisive actions to increase supply and manage demand including issuing Serious Shortage Protocols on HRT products to limit dispensing to three months’ supply and allow specified alternative products to be supplied if necessary.

    Following positive engagement across the supply chain, suppliers have also moved to secure additional stock and expedite deliveries of HRT products experiencing supply issues. Suppliers are building future capacity to support continued growth in demand.

    These combined actions have resulted in improvement in supply of products including Oestrogel gel. The number of packs of Oestrogel delivered to the UK in July was double the monthly average for the first quarter this year demonstrating a very substantial increase.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    Women’s health is a priority for this government, and we are ensuring everyone who needs HRT is able to access it.

    Madelaine’s work and that of her taskforce and the department has been vital, and her recommendations will ensure progress in HRT supply continues.

    Core recommendations from the HRT taskforce include:

    • Continued dialogue with industry both via continuing the successful model of regular industry roundtables as well as individual engagement
    • Continued use of Serious Shortage Protocols when appropriate to manage shortages as steps are taken by suppliers to increase production
    • Continued assessment whether NHS formularies may be impacting access to HRT

    Taking steps to action these recommendations 12 of the 13 Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) in place for HRT have been extended to help provide ongoing stability as HRT products that have experienced supply issues increase stock levels. The department has also established quarterly industry roundtables with key suppliers to ensure continued dialogue and help industry to plan for the future.

    Outgoing Head of the HRT Taskforce Madelaine McTernan said:

    I am pleased to see the situation with HRT supply is improving across the country. I want to thank suppliers and manufacturers for their engagement and positive action to tackle this serious issue.

    I have presented my key learnings on how the department can continue to manage HRT supply and work with the industry as it continues efforts to meet rising demand.

    Further recommendations to help ensure continued HRT supply to meet rising demand:

    • Improved access to data on prescriptions to more easily see where there are shortfalls between HRT packs prescribed and HRT packs supplied by manufacturers; and
    • Taking lessons from the HRT supply chain work to inform broader medicine supply work

    Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:

    We are taking steps across the board to tackle the gender health gap and ensure women can access the health and care services they need – including access to HRT.

    I thank Madelaine and her team and I look forward to taking forward her recommendations as part of the ongoing work of the department.

    The taskforce has held two roundtables and has ongoing discussions with key suppliers to understand issues and engage on plans to meet demand.

    It has issued Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) to restrict dispensing of certain products to three months and allow pharmacists to substitute certain products for alternatives. 

    Following a return to good availability, Premique Low Dose is no longer subject to an SSP.  The MHRA, have delivered workshops to ensure manufacturers and pharmacists are aware of guidance to help them manage stock levels and worked with the NHS to understand and communicate the role of formularies (a list of recommended medicines) in terms of access to HRT.

    Government has also taken action to reduce costs of HRT. The creation of a prepayment certificate will mean women can access HRT on a month-by-month basis if needed, easing pressure on supply, paying a one-off charge equivalent to two single prescription charges (currently £18.70) for all their HRT prescriptions for a year. This system will be implemented by April 2023.

    The Menopause Taskforce, which meets every two months, will continue to tackle issues surrounding the menopause including increasing access to treatment, and ending the taboos and stigmas that still surround conversations about the menopause, including in the workplace.

    Dame Lesley Regan has also been appointed the first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England to support in the implementation of the Women’s Health Strategy and improve women’s experiences of the health and care system in England.