This week on the Foreign Office Global Conversations blog
Afghanistan, Middle East and the United Nations were amongst the topics discussed by Foreign Office bloggers.
Foreign Office Minister, David Lidington published a video blog about his recent visit to the United Nations.
Ambassador to Iraq, John Jenkins welcomed the opening of the new Basra Museum noting that ‘Honouring Iraq’s heritage embodies hope for Iraq’s future’.
UK Ambassador to Egypt, Dominic Asquith looked ahead to the forthcoming election campaigns in Egypt that will he says take place “against a background of tough economic conditions, risk deepening the divisions that seem to be opening up”.
Head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Michael O’Neill based in Lashkar Gah discussed the Nowruz festivities that mark the New Year in Afghanistan. He also condemned “The shocking attack on the UN in Mazar-e-Sharif is a stark reminder of the volatility and threats that exist across this country - and of the risks faced by all those working to create a better future for Afghanistan, both civilian and military, international and Afghan.”
Catherine Barber who is the Head of the UK Diplomatic Mission in Sofia commenced her blog with an overview of ‘Digital Diplomacy in Bulgaria. Additionally Ambassador John Duncan reflected on ‘The Challenge of Social Media in Modern Diplomacy’.
The Human Rights Report was the subject for the UK Ambassador to Bolivia, Nigel Baker he notes that the report “shows that women continue to face discrimination around the world, and expresses the commitment of Her Majesty’s Government to advance women’s rights and tackle violence against them. The report also highlights concerns about restrictions to freedom of expression on the internet.”