The truce in Yemen provides an opportunity that must be seized: UK at UN Security Council

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Kingdom. I’d like to start by thanking Hans Grundberg and Martin Griffiths for your briefings, and to congratulate you, Hans, for your phenomenal efforts in brokering a truce. For the first time since 2016, Yemenis will feel what it is like to live in relative peace.

The UK commends all the parties in putting forward proposals, engaging in confidence-building measures to sustain this truce. We now need to make quick headway on getting the free flow of fuel, goods, and flights, and we need to pivot quickly to political negotiations.

The UK applauds, in particular, the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and the Government of Yemen in delivering serious consultations and significant political reform. The formation of the Presidential Leadership Council is a vital step. And, we commend President Hadi for facilitating the peaceful transfer of power.

We expect the Presidential Leadership Council to work seriously and quickly towards political negotiations with the Houthis. And we call on the Houthis to continue to engage with the UN Special Envoy, and so we welcome the Special Envoy’s visit to Sana’a this week – another step forwards.

Martin, as you so powerfully articulated, while we start to see progress on the political track, it is crucial the international community helps alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Sadly, the UN conference raised only around a third of the funding needed, as you said.

We, therefore, strongly welcome the Saudi-Emirati $3 billion economic package, designed to revive and support the Yemeni economy, and the $300 million in Saudi humanitarian aid. And, it is important that all donors disburse funding quickly if we are to avoid agencies making further cuts to programmes.

Ultimately, the truce provides a window of opportunity to make the lives of many Yemenis better, and this must be seized. In this context, defusing the ticking time-bomb of the Safer tanker becomes even more pressing. We therefore strongly support David Gressly’s efforts regarding the Safer tanker. The UK will contribute funding, and we urge the international community, including regional partners who will be directly affected by any oil spill, also to contribute.

I resume my function as President of the Council.



Veterans, service leavers and Forces-friendly employers descend on Silverstone for the annual Mission Motorsport National Transition Event

The event, now in its 3rd year, is centred on helping those who have left or are leaving the armed forces to successfully transition to a rewarding civilian career.

The event facilitates a forum enabling attendees to network with employers, sharing insights and best practice ideas to ensure a positive transition experience. In addition service leavers and veterans benefitted from LinkedIn, CV and interview workshops. Capping it all off was the opportunity to take part in passenger rides around the Silverstone circuit. Some of the famous faces taking to the circuit included Sir Chris Hoy, Jodi Kidd and Ben Collins (BBC’s Top Gear former Stig).

Steve Lees, Jaguar Land Rover’s Armed Forces Engagement Programme Manager, National Deputy Chairman of the Gold Award Association and the lead for Mission Automotive said:

The 2022 National Transition Event built upon the success of the event held in 2020, enabling forces-friendly companies to engage with service leavers, veterans and military spouses or partners exploring employment opportunities beyond service. In the Automotive Hall alone there were over 3,000 jobs companies are looking to fill.

Not only were employers able to meet individuals looking for employment, but also able to engage with other employers and speak to their veteran employees, sharing best practice and gaining insight as to how Armed Forces engagement can add value to their organisations.

Forces-Friendly employers attending the event included Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award holders such as Jaguar Land Rover, X Forces, Recruit for Spouses, BAE Systems, FDM Group and Black Country Chamber of Commerce. In addition two organisations, Lila Connect UK and MSS ltd, took the opportunity to pledge their support to the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

This year the event also hosted the launch of Mission Renewable, mirroring the positive impact and success Mission Motorsport has achieved within the motoring industry, Mission Renewable is aiming to make the renewable industry a destination of choice for service leavers, veterans and military spouses.

Speaking about the opportunities within the Renewable sector, RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Melanie Onn said:

The number of jobs in the offshore wind industry alone is set to rise by over 40,000 in the next four years alone; this includes a range of team leadership roles and opportunities for people to use their valuable experience to learn new skills, so we’re urging women and men with a military background to join us to build the energy system of the future. This will help us to reduce consumers bills faster while taking practical action against climate change.

Learn more about the Mission Renewable initiative visit Find out more about Mission Motorsport Sign the Armed Forces Covenant



UK hits key Russian oligarchs with sanctions worth up to £10 billion

  • the Government announces UK has today sanctioned Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich
  • action against Roman Abramovich’s longstanding business associates will freeze assets estimated to be worth up to £10 billion
  • the measures, combined with others announced to date, cut key revenue sources for Putin’s war machine

The UK has today sanctioned Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich, bringing the total number of oligarchs, family members and associates sanctioned to 106 since February.

Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss announced the government will freeze assets connected with the pair estimated to total up to £10 billion, the largest asset freeze action in UK history.

This will prevent these assets from being repatriated to Russia and used to fund Putin’s war machine.

In addition a travel ban has been placed on Davidovich.

These sanctions have been co-ordinated with action taken by the Jersey authorities earlier this week to impose a formal freezing order on assets suspected to be connected to Abramovich himself, valued in excess of £5 billion.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

We are tightening the ratchet on Putin’s war machine and targeting the circle of people closest to the Kremlin. We will keep going with sanctions until Putin fails in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table.

Eugene Tenenbaum has described himself as one of Abramovich’s closest business associates. Corporate filings show that Tenenbaum took control of Evrington Investments Limited, an Abramovich-linked investment company, on 24 February immediately following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Tenenbaum, who is a director at Chelsea Football Club, is subject to an asset freeze.

David Davidovich has been described by Forbes as “Abramovich’s much lower profile right hand man”, and took over Evrington Investments from Tenenbaum in March 2022. He is subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.

Sanctions imposed by the UK and its international partners are having deep and damaging consequences for Putin’s ability to wage war. Analysis shows Russia is heading for the deepest recession since the collapse of the Soviet Union with £275 billion – 60% of Russian foreign currency reserves – currently frozen.

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

Transport sanctions

Recently introduced powers make it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK, and give the government powers to remove aircraft belonging to designated Russian individuals and entities from the UK aircraft register, even if the sanctioned individual is not on board. Russian ships are also banned from UK ports.

Individuals sanctioned

  • Eugene Tenenbaum, a Director at Chelsea Football Club and has described himself as one of Abramovich’s closest business associates. Corporate filings show that Tenenbaum took control of Evrington Investments Limited, an Abramovich linked investment company, on 24 February following the Russian invasion. Tenenbaum is subject to an asset freeze

  • David Davidovich, described by Forbes as “Abramovich’s much lower profile right hand man”. Davidovich took over Evrington Investments from Tenenbaum in March 2022. Davidovich is subject to a travel ban and asset freeze



Forestry Commission takes robust action to combat spread of tree disease

Image of resinous cankers on a small tree branch

Image of resinous cankers on a tree branch. Credit: Forest Research.

The Forestry Commission is urging woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry to remain vigilant following further findings of Phytophthora pluvialis in areas across England.

The UK Chief Plant Health Officer has confirmed findings in the parts of the country following extensive surveillance activities by the Forestry Commission and other parts of the UK Plant Health Service.

Phytophthora pluvialis is a fungus-like pathogen known to affect a variety of tree species, including western hemlock, Douglas fir, tanoak and several pine species (in particular radiata pine). It is reported to cause needle cast (where needles turn brown and fall off), shoot dieback, and lesions on the stem, branches, and roots.

Phytophthora pluvialis has been detected on mature western hemlock and Douglas-fir trees at the affected sites, and has been confirmed as the direct cause of the observed symptoms.

Forestry Commission, Forest Research and the Animal and Plant Health Agency are continuing to conduct further surveillance and diagnostic analysis to understand more about the pathogen and ensure that any required control measures are swiftly undertaken to stop its spread. This includes extensive ground and aerial surveillance as part of a UK-wide survey, and comprehensive research and modelling to explore factors such as climatic and potential species susceptibility and to help inform the management response. The introduction and extensions of demarcated areas help to prevent the accidental movement of tree pathogens.

Nicola Spence, the UK’s Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

We are taking robust and swift action against the findings of Phytophthora pluvialis at these sites, as part of our well-established biosecurity protocol for tree pests and diseases.

I urge all sectors to support efforts to tackle this pathogen by checking the health of western hemlock and Douglas-fir trees. Key symptoms to look out for are lesions on the stem, branch or roots. Any sightings should be reported to the Forestry Commission via its TreeAlert online portal.

The Forestry Commission is urging woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry to remain vigilant following further findings of Phytophthora pluvialis.

New measures in response to these findings include:

For behind-the-scenes insight into the ongoing science, surveillance and eradication efforts controlling the spread of Phytophthora pluvialis, read this blog.

Further information on tree pests and diseases, and how to identify them, is available here.

Woodland managers are asked to report any suspect trees via TreeAlert.

Published 25 February 2022
Last updated 9 June 2022 + show all updates

  1. Updated the section ‘New plant health requirements introduced to combat further spread of the tree pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis’

  2. The Forestry Commission is urging woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry to remain vigilant following further findings of Phytophthora pluvialis.

  3. First published.



UN Afghanistan pledging summit: chairs statement, 14 April 2022

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The chairs of the UN Afghanistan pledging summit have written a statement on the outcome of the conference, which was co-hosted by the UK, Germany and Qatar.

Statement by the chairs of the UN Afghanistan pledging summit, co-hosted by the UK, Germany and Qatar.

Today 31 March 2022, we the co-hosts from OCHA, Germany, Qatar and the United Kingdom led the Afghanistan pledging conference for 2022. We were joined by the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres, 38 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as distinguished representatives from 115 countries, organisations and International Financial Institutions.

This year the UN launched its largest ever humanitarian appeal recognising the unprecedented scale of the crisis in Afghanistan. More than 24.4 million people require humanitarian assistance to survive. Food security levels have plunged at a rate not seen elsewhere in such a short period, with half the population facing acute hunger, including 9 million people in emergency food insecurity – the highest number globally. Malnutrition is on the rise, and livelihoods have been destroyed. In response, today the international community confirmed its support for the people of Afghanistan at this critical time.

Whilst we have seen a reduction in armed conflict across the country, its legacy still impacts the Afghan population with an estimated 6 million people remaining internally displaced, and the continued risk posed across the country by unexploded ordnance.

The Afghan people deserve to live in dignity, peace and security, reflecting the last two decades of their political, economic and social achievements, in particular for women and girls.

We, the co-hosts paid tribute to the tireless efforts of humanitarian aid agencies and workers in Afghanistan who have remained steadfast during these challenging times, delivering critical humanitarian aid through a difficult winter period.

We expressed our gratitude to the distinguished representatives of Afghanistan’s civil society, who discussed the humanitarian situation on the ground, with a particular focus on women and children, for their tireless and courageous efforts in supporting the Afghan people.

Today’s conference showcased the spirit of global solidarity and our enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan:

  • pledges of $2.4bn in support of the continued humanitarian response
  • in addition, announcements were made by International Financial Institutions, including initiatives of $405m from the Asian Development Bank in support of basic services and agreement by the World Bank Board to make available $1.2bn from Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund
  • there has also been generous support from Afghanistan’s neighbours who provide vital in-kind assistance including food supplies, energy and infrastructure, and support for large numbers of refugees who have fled Afghanistan

We, the co-hosts committed to ensuring that humanitarian aid in 2022 is tailored to ensure that the distinct needs of women and girls are addressed in our support

The co-hosts expressed their appreciation to Martin Griffiths for his engagement with the Taliban to seek reassurance of their commitment to humanitarian principles and to continue to respect and facilitate the delivery of independent humanitarian assistance.

The co-hosts expressed their deep concern and disappointment at the Taliban’s decision to restrict access to secondary education for girls, despite earlier commitments to do so. They reaffirmed the right to education for all Afghans, including girls, and called on the Taliban to respect the right to education for all, and adhere to their commitments to reopen schools for all female students. The co-hosts also underscored the importance of the international community engaging in constructive dialogue with the Taliban to make progress on this and other important issues.

[ENDS]

Published 14 April 2022