Select Committee · Foreign Affairs Committee

The UK at the United Nations Security Council

Status: Closed Opened: 11 Mar 2025 Closed: 1 Dec 2025 25 recommendations 18 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry considers how effectively the UK uses its position at the UNSC (United Nations Security Council) to influence and bring about an end to global conflict, whilst advancing its goals for a rules-based international order. It will focus on countries for which the UK is a ‘Penholder’ at the UN. This includes (but is …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - The write to protect: Britain’s pen on the wor… HC 930 21 Sep 2025 43 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
12 Recommendation 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

Ensure retention of high-calibre staff at UK Missions to the United Nations.

The Government must ensure the retention of the high-calibre staff at the UK Missions to the United Nations and it should outline a clear strategy detailing how it plans to retain these staff. When the Government is clear on the structure and composition of the FCDO following its restructuring, it …

Government response. The government's response focuses entirely on its ongoing commitment to the Colombia Peace Agreement, outlining its diplomatic engagement, support for UN Verification Mission renewals, and financial contributions to the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund. It does not address the recommendation on …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
13 Conclusion 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

Reduced ODA budget diminishes UK global visibility, empowering adversaries in conflict zones.

With a reduced Official Development Assistance budget and a smaller budget allocation for conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, the UK is less visible on the global stage and in key conflict zones. This opens up the space to our adversaries and competitors to make significant inroads, particularly China, Iran and …

Government response. The government's response details its ongoing engagement and support for UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting settlement in Cyprus, highlighting its role as a Guarantor Power and its leadership in renewing the UNFICYP mandate. It does not address the committee's …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
14 Conclusion 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

Publish a timeline to restore ODA spending to 0.7%, including a protected conflict budget.

For the UK to continue being a lead actor within the United Nations Security Council, and a leading global actor in the prevention and resolution of conflict, it is critical that the Government sets out a pathway and 47 timeline as to how it will return to spending 0.5%, and …

Government response. The government's response details its past and ongoing efforts within the UN Security Council regarding Libya, leading sanctions, and renewing mandates. It does not address the recommendation to set out a timeline for returning to 0.7% GNI on ODA or …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
15 Recommendation 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

Explain how the FCDO's reduced budget maintains its leading multilateral actor role.

The Government should also, in its response, outline how the FCDO’s reduced operating budget will allow it to continue being a leading multilateral actor and fulfil the Government’s responsibility to push through efficiencies identified throughout the ongoing United Nations 80 (UN80) process to ensure it gets full UK support. (Recommendation, …

Government response. The government's response details its past and ongoing actions as UN Security Council penholder on Myanmar. It acknowledges the need for regular reporting but states there is insufficient support for it, and does not address how the FCDO's reduced operating …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
16 Recommendation 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

Detail interim private finance investments to plug ODA gap and safeguard UK conflict expertise.

It should also detail what interim investments it has made for private finance to plug the Official Development Assistance gap. This includes investment in civilian-led conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding. UK expertise, much of it currently concentrated in the Migration and Conflict Department, Integrated Security Fund and FCDO cadre of …

Government response. The government's response discusses its agreement with UN peacekeeping reform and its efforts within the UN80 process to advocate for efficiencies and a whole-of-UN approach to peacekeeping. It does not detail investments in private finance for ODA, safeguarding UK expertise, …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
18 Recommendation 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

Prioritise co-penholding with Elected UN Security Council Members for country and thematic files.

The Government should prioritise co-penholding with at least one Elected Member to the United Nations Security Council per country and thematic file, where appropriate, and where Elected Members are willing and able to contribute meaningfully. This would also provide a practical 48 and implementable reform mechanism within the United Nations …

Government response. The government's response discusses the challenges of securing UN funding for AU Peace Support Operations in Somalia (AUSSOM) and highlights the UK's £16.5 million commitment to AUSSOM and efforts to lobby other international partners for financial pledges. It does not …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
20 Conclusion 2nd Report - The write to protect: Brit… Deferred

UK must continue raising critical files at UNSC despite challenging geopolitical environment.

We recognise that the UK’s Mission to the United Nations is operating in an increasingly fraught and challenging geopolitical environment, but that should not preclude the UK from raising and debating files such as Myanmar and Sudan at the United Nations Security Council. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)

Government response. The government's response details its extensive work as penholder on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, including efforts to implement it across UNSC work, secure language on women's rights in mandates, and ensure women's strategic involvement in peace and …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
15 Jul 2025 Freya Jackson · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), The Lord Collins of Highbury · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) View ↗
1 Jul 2025 Martin Griffiths · United Nations, Richard Gowan · International Crisis Group View ↗
23 Jun 2025 Sir Mark Lyall Grant · United Nations View ↗