Andrew Bowes

British diplomat in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Previously 🇲🇾🇰🇪🇦🇴🇸🇹🇬🇧🇵🇹🇹🇱🇲🇿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Sarah Hulton OBE @ukambassadorph]

The upcoming BARMM elections will be pivotal for the Bangsamoro region.

Read my op-ed here: Friends of peace: Supporting Bangsamoro’s next chapter | https://t.co/AQMRoWqAwk

[Andy Burnham @andyburnham]

In a difficult and dangerous world, a decade on from Brexit, there is a risk that Britain loses the confidence to lead and stand up for its values.

I’m not prepared to let that happen. It is more important than ever that Britain stands for something.

We have called for years for a two-state solution in the Middle East, but we must recognise that those words are meaningless unless we back them up with action.

For too long, we have been hesitant to act, fearful of being accused of being anti-Israel.

Today we are announcing carefully judged, targeted steps that are not aimed at the Israeli people, but at the unacceptable policies of the current Israeli government.

The suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed in Gaza. And there is still a humanitarian crisis, with far too little aid getting in.

The scale of destruction is hard to comprehend. More than 70,000 people lie dead - at least 20,000 of them children. Families and communities have been torn apart. Millions displaced. And the population of Gaza is now penned into just one third of the territory.

I know that people across the UK feel very deeply about this issue - and so do I.

Before I became Prime Minister, I said our country’s response had been too slow and simply not good enough. That’s why I committed to changing the government’s approach.

I will not stand by as the horrific suffering continues to grow and the prospect of a two-state solution - the best hope for peace and stability in the region - comes under attack.

More settlements have been approved under the four years of this Israeli government than in the previous 20 years. The UN has reported more than 1,500 incidents of settler violence so far this year, aimed at driving out Palestinians. And the situation is growing worse, fast.

The Israeli government has now approved 104 new settlements since it took office in December 2022, and ahead of the October elections in Israel, it is allowing tenders for the construction of the E1 mega settlement to go ahead. This would cut a swathe through the heart of the West Bank - snuffing out the hope of realising a two-state solution. It cannot be allowed to happen.

That’s why we are announcing a new package of tough measures to put pressure on the Israeli government:

First, we will ban the trade in goods with illegal settlements in Palestine.

Second, we have formally changed the view of the British government to say for the first time that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful - independent of, but in line with, the conclusion of the international court of justice.

And third, we will sanction individuals and companies that support, facilitate or profit from illegal settlements. That includes any businesses or investors that take part in the construction of the E1 settlement.

In addition, we are announcing a new package of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.

We are taking these steps because it is the right thing to do.

I have condemned the monstrous terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 in the strongest possible terms - and continue to condemn Hamas. However, it does not justify the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza or the West Bank.

The measures we are taking are about targeting illegal settlements and increasing the pressure on the Israeli government to change course. We are not imposing sanctions on Israel as a whole, which would punish the Israeli people, many of whom disagree with their government’s position.

The Israeli people are not responsible for the actions of their government. And nor is the Jewish community in the UK. Blaming British Jews for the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is wrong, plain and simple. And it is antisemitism, plain and simple.

I met the representatives of the Jewish community just last week. I know the fear they live with day by day. My government will stop at nothing to ensure they are safe and to stamp out antisemitism in every part of our society.

The measures we are announcing today are about protecting the only solution that could see the Israeli and Palestinian people living side by side in peace and security - something that people up and down the UK desperately want to see.

The government I lead will keep working with our partners around the world to keep that hope alive.

[Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office @FCDOGovUK]

Protecting the viability of a two-state solution is the right thing to do.

[Ed Miliband @Ed_Miliband]

The UK will stand up for what is right.

[Royal Navy @RoyalNavy]

1,826 days away. 160,000nm sailed apiece. Over 120 port visits from great cities to remote Pacific islands such as Pitcairn or Vanuatu.

It's 5 years since @HMS_Spey and @hms_tamar left the UK to re-establish a constant RN presence in the Indo-Pacific.

https://t.co/8vtKp9X9MM

[Ed Miliband @Ed_Miliband]

Together we are resolute.

My joint statement with the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

https://t.co/dortp6SmG8

[UK Mission to ASEAN @ukmissionasean]

Every child deserves the chance to learn, read, and reach their full potential.

On this #InternationalLiteracyDay, ASEAN and the UK reaffirm our commitment through the #SAGEProgramme to improve foundational learning and support children furthest behind.

#UKASEAN5

[Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro @SecLazaro]

The DFA convened today an Experts’ Forum on Critical Maritime Infrastructure (CMI), with over 160 policymakers and experts from 31 countries, to discuss best practices and new ideas to strengthen resilience and security of submarine cables, ports, and maritime energy infrastructure.

In my closing remarks, I outlined five ways forward: anchor resilience to whole-of-nation; turn dialogue into operational cooperation; institutionalize CMI in ASEAN; modernize multilateral governance; and focus on proactive resilience.

We co-hosted the Experts Forum with Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the USA, and the International Maritime Organization.

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

Cleaner energy, stronger UK-PH cooperation.

Great to welcome @ofgem to Manila for discussions with Philippine energy stakeholders on grid readiness & renewable energy integration. The UK is sharing expertise to support the Philippines' clean energy transition & energy security.

[UK Mission to ASEAN @ukmissionasean]

FCDO Chief Economist @DennisNovy just wrapped an insightful week in #SoutheastAsia!

Engaging with key partners on geoeconomic risks and economic resilience, these conversations reaffirm our shared commitment to secure, sustainable growth across the region. 🇬🇧🤝🌏

#UKASEAN5

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

Through our partnership with #M4GG, local leaders from across the Philippines collaborated to develop practical solutions to strengthen transparency, accountability and citizen participation in government. Here's to putting these ideas into action! 🇬🇧🇵🇭

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

The UK is strengthening economic cooperation with the Philippines through analytical diplomacy. In Manila, FCDO Chief Economist Prof. Dennis Novy engaged policymakers, businesses and partners on trade, investment and resilience.

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

As fellow island nations, the UK is proud to partner with PH in hosting the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies (SAFET) Conference in Cebu on 8-10 September. SAFET brings together UK and Philippine leaders to advance sustainable fisheries and blue economy development.

[UK Mission to ASEAN @ukmissionasean]

The knowledge, skills and networks you build through ASEAN Chevening can help drive change at home.

📢 Apply for a Chevening Scholarship by 6 October.
🔗 https://t.co/Q9ReGoMoDU

#ASEANChevening #StudyUK #ASEANUK5 #AdvancingTogether

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

@ForumSEC Speaking at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau today, UK Minister for Indo-Pacific Rosie Winterton announced this support for the PRF, a key ask from Pacific leaders and communities.

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

From Manila to London, the Philippines took the spotlight at #LTW2026, showcasing its vibrant tech ecosystem at Olympia London. We welcomed DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and stronger UK-PH collaboration. Watch the reel for highlights. 🇵🇭🇬🇧

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

📢 ANNOUNCED | A further £10 million of UK funding over the next three years will support the Pacific Resilience Facility to deliver locally led solutions that respond to climate change across the Pacific.

@ForumSEC

[British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 @ukinphilippines]

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Baroness Winterton was delighted to meet @forumsec host President Whipps at #PIF2026 in Palau. We stand w/ Palau and our other Pacific Partners working together on ocean protection, climate resilience & prosperity across the Pacific 🇵🇼 🇬🇧 #PIFFLM

[UK at the UN 🇬🇧🇺🇳 @UKUN_NewYork]

Russia's illegal invasion does not change Ukraine’s sovereignty, nor rewrite her borders.

We call on all states to uphold the UN Charter and reject Russia's illegal claims.

We support Ukraine’s call for a full, immediate ceasefire. And we urge Russia to commit to do the same.

[UK Mission to ASEAN @ukmissionasean]

The ASEAN-UK Analytical Dialogue brought together policymakers and economists from across @ASEAN to discuss how the region can navigate geopolitical uncertainty.

Key priorities: stronger data & analysis, improved risk assessment, scenario planning, & resilience through openness.