This week at the Foreign Office
A look at the work of the Foreign Office and its embassies overseas this week.
This week, Foreign Secretary William Hague chaired the first meeting of the new Human Rights Advisory Group, met Foreign Minister Qureshi of Pakistan in London to discuss intensifying the UK-Pakistan Enhanced Strategic Dialogue, and welcomed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Bahrain on his visit to the UK.
On 2 December, the Foreign Secretary made a statement to the House of Commons on the outcome of the investigation into the death of Linda Norgrove.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg led the UK delegation to the OSCE Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan on 29 - 30 November, which focused on security, democracy and human rights.
Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham represented the British Government at the third European Union-Africa Summit in Tripoli.
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery on 2 December, UN International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. Jeremy Browne also marked International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3 December with Work & Pensions Minister Maria Miller.
United Nations climate change negotiations began in Cancun, Mexico on 29 November. UK negotiators are striving for progress on issues affecting developed and developing countries. John Ashton, the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, represented the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
On 1 December the UK, US & Norway called for continued progress ahead of Southern Sudan Referendum.
Business leaders met at the FCO on Monday 29 November to discuss how the Coalition Government can work with British business to drive economic growth.
Michael O’Neill, Head of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team has written about his visit to Marjeh to hear about progress since Operation Moshtarak, the military operation that liberated central Helmand at the start of this year.
1 December was the launch of Twelve Blogs of Christmas. Twelve Foreign Office consular bloggers are writing about their experiences of helping Britons abroad, and sharing their tips for safe and enjoyable winter travel.