'The UK can be a global hub in the 21st Century. We are dedicated to playing our part in making it happen.'

David Miliband, Foreign Secretary and Peter Ricketts, FCO Permanent Under Secretary. Play the video clip to watch the launch of the FCO's strategy in April 2008.

Better World, Better Britain’ - from climate change to health pandemics, the UK's national security and prosperity depends on how we work with other nations.

This requires a modern and effective Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) that is clear about its role and focuses effort where it will make the most difference.

We break our work down into 3 parts:

1. Global network

Our unique and flexible global network of staff, embassies and offices around the world serves all of UK Government.

We will continue to shift resources to Asia and the Middle East to better deliver our goals and services and to reflect global economic and political trends.

Read more about the work of our global network.

2. Essential services

We help deliver 3 essential services:

• support the British economy
• support British nationals abroad
• support managed migration for Britain.

These are the direct services we provide to British citizens and businesses, often in partnership with other UK Government bodies, such as UK Trade and Investment and the Borders and Immigration Agency.

3. Policy goals

We have 4 policy goals to focus our work:

• counter terrorism and weapons proliferation, and their causes
• prevent and resolve conflict
• promote a low carbon, high growth, global economy
• develop effective international institutions, above all the UN and EU