News story

Foreign Secretary's Christmas message 2018

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt looks back over the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office over the past year.

Jeremy Hunt

The Foreign Secretary said:

“As 2018 draws to a close I want to look back at just some of the work the Foreign Office has been doing around the world to ensure the safety and prosperity of the UK, and to defend the values we all believe in.

From securing international backing to uphold the ban on chemical weapons to our support for a political solution to end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

British diplomacy has continued to respond to some of the biggest issues affecting the world today.

We have hosted landmark events at home too, galvanising international focus on ending the illegal wildlife trade this autumn, and reinforcing our bonds across the Commonwealth family with a hugely successful Summit in April.

Next year will of course bring further significant challenges with Brexit. I do not underestimate them, but we have faced bigger challenges in our history and will always find a way to thrive and prosper whatever the outcome.

As Christmas approaches I also think of all Foreign Office staff and members of the intelligence community working overseas to keep all of us safe. I want to thank them and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Watch the message:

Christmas message 2018

Published 24 December 2018