Recommendations & Conclusions
24 items
2
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The Government should outline its strategy for responding to and engaging with a rapidly changing multilateral system, in its response to this report. This should include a roadmap detailing the UK’s engagement with the ongoing United Nations 80 (UN80) reform agenda at the United Nations and ensuring that the UK …
Government response. The government states it is already committed to leveraging its diplomatic expertise and overseas network, actively countering disinformation and using UN platforms to denounce malign activity and champion rights. It highlights ongoing efforts to challenge Russian abuses within the UN …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The international community’s reluctance to address malign influence within the United Nations system risks the loss of the values- embedded and rules-based international order. If more countries ignore UN resolutions, it will become less and less effective. The UK has a leading diplomatic network, significant soft power, and is a …
Government response. The government outlines its ongoing leadership and engagement in international diplomacy and conflict resolution, including specific partnerships and UN Security Council actions. They commit to launching a second iteration of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action in 2026 to support a …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The Government should make full use of the whole United Nations system to advance its foreign policy objectives and further British values of democracy and tolerance to counter assertive behaviour by other countries within the 45 United Nations. The Government in its engagement should include publicly calling out countries who …
Government response. The government states it continues to be a leading player in the UN context, utilizing its skills to resolve conflicts and exercise leadership in line with international law. It provides examples of ongoing engagement with the US on UN Security …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
5
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
This Committee’s first priority will always be to push for the use of United Nations mediation, peace and security structures to resolve conflict: the international community is strongest together and a peace agreed by the consensus of the many is one which is firm and lasting. Nonetheless, we are cognisant …
Government response. The government states it continues to work closely with the US to resolve global conflicts and will continue to engage the wider membership of the UN Security Council. It specifically commits to hosting a conference at Wilton Park this autumn …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
6
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The Government should adapt to the changing conflict environment, recognising the existing geopolitical realities of conflict resolution, whilst continuing to push for multilateral efforts where possible. The Government should enhance its bilateral partnerships with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as Turkey, whilst ensuring it upholds its commitment to a …
Government response. The government commits to ensuring that UK missions to the UN will continue to be staffed at appropriate levels with high-calibre individuals. It notes that the FCDO is becoming a smaller, more agile organisation and is making strategic decisions to …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
7
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK is well placed to mobilise like-minded states and build regional and bloc-based coalitions to advance efforts to lead on the resolution of global conflict. This applies in particular to those organisations which have a regional remit for country files for which the UK holds the pen on the …
Government response. The government details its substantial contributions to UN budgets and reaffirms its commitment to restoring ODA spending to 0.7% of GNI when fiscal conditions allow. It plans to publish indicative ODA allocations for the next three years, prioritizing multilateral institutions, …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
8
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK Government should be more confident in its role at the UN, harnessing its status as a global convenor, and drawing upon the UK’s diplomatic expertise to engage like-minded states in resolving conflict in cases where it is not possible to reach agreement at the United Nations Security Council. …
Government response. The government confirms it is a leading advocate for UN reform and has a dedicated Management Reform and Finance team for budgetary issues. It outlines its roadmap for UN80 reform, focused on building support for greater impact, enhanced coherence, stronger …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
9
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK should continue to work closely with the US in the United Nations Security Council to advance the UK’s values-based approach to resolving conflict through multilateral organisations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 51)
Government response. The government outlines its continuous investment in UN peacebuilding and the UN-IFI Partnership Facility, and details existing FCDO resources, research programs, and partnerships focused on conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
10
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
Where agreement or consensus with the US may not be forthcoming, the Government must engage the US proactively, in behind-the-scenes and backdoor diplomacy. Simultaneously, the Government should have the confidence to develop robust alliances with Elected Members to the United Nations Security Council to advance British values including the belief …
Government response. The government states it already champions broad and thorough engagement when penholding, consulting widely and championing co-penning with relevant Member States, citing examples with African members and Sierra Leone. However, it rejects a 'one size fits all' approach to co-penning, …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
17
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
Sharing the pen allows for Elected Members to the United Nations Security Council to actively partake in the penholder process and to learn from the UK’s expertise as a convening actor in diplomacy and as a leader in the global resolution of conflict. Furthering such relationships would strengthen the UK’s …
Government response. The government's response explains its ongoing commitment and actions as a UN Security Council penholder to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law, stating its national interest aligns with these efforts. It does not directly address the benefits of co-penholding …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
19
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
Without debate, progress on a file and elevating the platform of a conflict to find diplomatic solutions forward is stalled. This stymies the core mission of the United Nations Security Council, which is to identify and spearhead solutions to restore global peace and security. (Conclusion, Paragraph 77)
Government response. The government states its work as UN Security Council penholder on Sudan has sought to improve visibility and push for aid access, despite Russian obstructionism. It describes continuing efforts to engage the UNSC, securing an accountability mechanism in the Human …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
21
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK must continue to put forward, raise and debate issues at the United Nations Security Council for files it holds the pen for, even if these are ultimately vetoed. It is essential that in situations of conflict where the UK has a responsibility, that conflict is seen to be …
Government response. The government agrees with the committee's recommendation regarding Yemen, stating it will continue to use its interventions at monthly UN Security Council meetings to highlight the human cost of the conflict, push for the safety of women and girls, and …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
22
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK has demonstrated strong leadership in its management of the penholder file ‘The UN Office for Central Africa’, and should continue this work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 82)
Government response. The government implicitly accepts by confirming its close engagement with relevant regional non-permanent Security Council members on UK penheld files, including UNOCA.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
23
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK is to be commended for its role as penholder for Colombia at the United Nations Security Council and continuing to push for stability in a volatile region. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)
Government response. The government agrees with the committee's commendation, detailing its ongoing commitment as penholder, support for the 2016 Peace Agreement, and significant diplomatic and financial engagement in Colombia, including over £80 million in programming since 2015 and leadership in renewing the …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
24
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
We urge the Government to outline the steps it is taking as penholder to seek to ensure the long-term consolidation and enforcement of the peace process in Colombia. This should include a summary of the actors it is engaging with on the ground, including civil society and women-led groups and …
Government response. The government agrees, outlining its firm commitment to Colombia's peace process through diplomatic engagement, multilateral coordination, and UK-drafted press statements. It details its support for the UN Verification Mission, engagement with partners and civil society, and its role as the …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
26
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK should continue to uphold its commitment to the resolution of the stalemate in Cyprus, utilising jointly its role as penholder and as one of the parties to the Treaty of Guarantee. The Government should detail in its response to this report what steps it is taking to ensure …
Government response. The government agrees and outlines its actions as penholder and Guarantor Power, including leading the unanimous renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate, supporting UN-led settlement efforts, and actively engaging all parties to encourage a return to formal talks.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
27
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
Libya is a neglected item at the United Nations Security Council and the UK has not taken sufficient action to raise it. Despite controversy relating to the UN Security Council-backed intervention which the UK participated in, our evidence suggested the UK was the only candidate of the UN Security Council …
Government response. The government agrees with the importance of Libya but outlines numerous past and ongoing actions at the UN Security Council, including leading sanctions renewal, calling for elections, and renewing the UNSMIL mandate, to demonstrate its continuous engagement and challenge the …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
28
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The Government should demonstrate the actions it is taking to promote peace and security in Libya’s borders as its penholder. (Recommendation, Paragraph 96)
Government response. The government agrees and details its actions as penholder for Libya, including consistently using the UN platform, leading the renewal of the Libya sanctions regime with significant changes, advocating for elections, and leading the recent renewal of the UN Support …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
34
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The Government should ensure that it is taking all possible steps to ensure that civilians in armed conflict are protected and given access to shelter, food and healthcare. The Government should use the offices of the UN to urge warring parties to respect protected spaces such as schools and hospitals. …
Government response. The government disagrees with the implicit premise of the recommendation, stating it already steadfastly commits to upholding international humanitarian law and protecting civilians in conflict. They detail ongoing efforts as penholder, consistently pressing for humanitarian access in the UN Security …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
38
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
We commend the UK’s tenacity and leadership on the Sudan file but urge it go further to promote peace and security in Sudan, both at the United Nations Security Council and bilaterally. We are cognisant that the UK is operating in a difficult, fractious and complex geopolitical environment and is …
Government response. The government partially agrees, detailing extensive ongoing efforts and future plans to promote peace and security in Sudan. These include continued UN Security Council engagement despite obstruction, securing an accountability mechanism and special HRC session, designing FCDO programmes for sexual …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
40
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
The UK has historically demonstrated strong management and leadership as concerns the Women, Peace and Security file, however it can and must go further. (Conclusion, Paragraph 133)
Government response. The government agrees with the committee, outlining its ongoing commitment and active work as penholder for resolution 1325 to implement the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. They detail current efforts including securing specific language in mandate renewals and the …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
41
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
We recommend: a. The Government should outline in its response to this report what work it is pursuing as penholder for Women, Peace and Security to include women and women-led organisations in mediation and peace negotiations. The UK Mission to the United Nations in New York should lead by example …
Government response. The government agrees, outlining that the UK Mission in New York includes women at every stage of the WPS penholding process and consults women experts. It details its strategy to defend and strengthen WPS language by deploying expert negotiators and …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
42
Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
There has been criticism that the UK’s penholdership of the Yemen file was compromised due to UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia who were at war against Houthi terrorists in Yemen. However, Saudi Arabia has now largely withdrawn from Yemen. We agree that the UK remains the best-placed Permanent Member …
Government response. The government agrees with the conclusion, affirming its leading role as UN Security Council penholder on Yemen and the largest donor to the humanitarian response. They detail ongoing diplomatic efforts, monthly UN Security Council interventions, and exploration of options to …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
43
Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit…
Accepted
We encourage the Government, through the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, to continue to push for long-term peace and security in Yemen, with particular reference to upholding maritime security, the 53 protection of civilians in armed conflict and the safety of women and girls. It must …
Government response. The government agrees and confirms its leading role as UN Security Council penholder and largest donor, committing to continue pushing for long-term peace and security in Yemen. It will use monthly UNSC meetings to highlight human costs, advocate for women …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office