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UK Presidency of the Security Council

The United Kingdom takes on the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of June. The Presidency is a role that rotates among Members of the Council on a monthly basis.  During our time as President, the UK will preside over meetings of the Council and is responsible for coordinating when the Council meets and what it discusses.

This video introduces the key priorities the UK has set out for its Presidency in the month of June.

For real-time developments, visit the Twitter hashtag #UKPres.

The United Kingdom will play its part. We will aim to ratify within the year and we will spare no effort to ensure this Arms Trade Treaty makes a real difference to the people that need it most, for finally I have signed for the innocent, caught up in conflict instigated by the wickedness of others, I sign for lives needlessly lost, in the hope that by making it more difficult for illicit arms to cause misery, an extra chance may be allowed for peaceful resolution of conflict, so that the world of my children and granddaughter will be that bit more bearable.
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt’s remarks on the UK signing of the Arms Trade Treaty (via ukun-newyork)

Today marks the International Day of Peacekeepers. The UK pays tribute to over 100,000 UN personnel currently serving in 14 peacekeeping missions today. The British Government is proud to join others around the world to thank the men and women of UN peacekeeping for the essential role they play, and have played over the last 65 years since the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission, in protecting those most vulnerable across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe. Without their presence, their dedication and determination, many more people would face displacement, sexual violence, destruction of their livelihoods and their communities, and other devastating impacts of violent conflict.

We also take time to remember the many sacrifices made by peacekeepers in the pursuit of peace, honouring those who have died protecting others and those who still bear the scars and memories of serving in some of the most challenging environments around the globe.

The UK is strongly committed to supporting the UN’s vital contribution to world peace and stability, and will remain steadfast in that support.

Mark Simmonds, Foreign Office Minister for Conflict Issues

       

Source: gov.uk

Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative: Foreign Secretary marks first anniversary

Foreign Secretary William Hague discusses the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, which he launched on 29 May 2012 with UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie. A year on from the launch, he discusses the actions the UK has taken and work still to be done to tackle sexual violence in conflict.

The protection and promotion of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is an integral part of the Government’s wider international human rights agenda. Unfortunately, this position is not universally shared.

Internationally, the LGBT community continue to experience abuse of their human rights, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, restrictions on their freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and discrimination in employment and access to health services and education. They continue also to be subjected to violence and hate crimes.

On International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), our clear message is that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To render consenting same-sex relations illegal is incompatible with international human rights laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Foreign Secretary William Hague marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

       

Source: gov.uk

ukun-newyork:

World Press Freedom Day 2013

Freedom of expression is a universal human right. The UK supports these rights and believes they apply both offline and online.

On World Press Freedom Day, we asked UN Correspondents to talk about what press freedom means to them and their colleagues. In this video you’ll hear from correspondents from AP, AFP, BBC, and Reuters.

UK Mission joins Tumblr

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The UN is an important place where global decisions are made. We think what happens at the UN is exciting and should be shared. We’re joining Tumblr to provide you more dynamic content on developments at the UK Mission to the UN. Join us for videos, infographics, key quotes, audio files, photos, and more.

You can also follow us on Twitter and check our website for announcements. 

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