David Riley

British Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Formerly of @UKinUSA and @FCDOGovUK in London.

[BASIC @BASIC_int]

Join BASIC and the University of Stirling (@ustirhistpol) to explore insights from the working paper at a #RevCon side event taking place on Friday 8 May 1:15 - 2:15 EDT in Conference Room E at the UN Headquarters.⬇️

[Eleanor Sanders @ESandersFCDO]

On world press freedom day, we remember that media freedom is an integral part of democracy.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Took time this week to meet the Mayors for Peace from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Nagasaki Youth Delegation. Human-centred education and advocacy play a vital role in supporting progress with arms control and disarmament. @UKinJapan

[UK at the UN 🇬🇧🇺🇳 @UKUN_NewYork]

Free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a cornerstone of global security and prosperity.

Along with 90 countries and partners, @SDoughtyMP joined Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani to call for the urgent and unimpeded opening of the Strait.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

@catherinejmag Congratulations, Catherine!

[David Riley @rileyfo]

If @CarlsbergUK did “you’re still on mute”.

[Blue Georgia @BlueGeorgia]

Ok, this was funny.

Comms: We hear them but it does not appear they are hearing us. Houston copies and Reid, just to confirm, you are pushing the PTT on the radio.

Mark Kelly: Oh! They're asking, are you actually pushing the push-to-talk?

Anderson Cooper: That's something I would say to my mom.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Great to see this news ahead of the #NPT Review Conference. Huge thanks to @KhadraDuale for her cooperation and commitment in delivering this moment. Entry into force of the CSA and AP will unlock important opportunities for Somalia in the area of peaceful nuclear science.

[Rafael Mariano Grossi @rafaelmgrossi]

Delighted that Somalia’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol have entered into force today, the legal basis for nuclear verification by @IAEAorg.

I thank @MOFASomalia’s Foreign Minister @AbdisalamDhaay for this important step, reaffirming 🇸🇴’s commitment to non-proliferation. This brings us closer to the universalization of the CSA as required by the NPT, key to trust and confidence in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Mind. Blown. 🤯

[Titanic New York @TitanicNewYork]

114 years on, Belfast witnesses a full-scale drone Titanic depart into the night...a powerful tribute.

#titanic #rmstitanic

[David Riley @rileyfo]

@Dicker_JJ I’m going to have to disagree with you. I remember the great joy I found in reading a cable from New York on Morris Dancers having attended a debate on indigenous affairs at ECOSOC.

Ps - the instructor’s vibe is not unlike me after delivering my first right of reply at the UN.

[RUSI @RUSI_org]

Are you a student in the UK with an interest in European defence?

The Defence Department of the French Embassy in London has launched the French Defence Attaché’s Prize, recognising outstanding academic work that deepens understanding of Franco-British defence cooperation.

We are proud to share that RUSI will be part of the award jury and will be publishing the winning essay, offering a unique platform to showcase your research.

Submission deadline: 1 May 2026
For more information on how to submit, visit the page: https://t.co/OPnNTC5EsO

[David Riley @rileyfo]

@Ziya_Meral I was involved in a “summoning” in London (you can also “invite” an Ambassador to the Ministry to express displeasure). As a point of principle, we didn’t trail to the media in advance & we offered use of a more discreet entry point. Not all States are as considerate.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Remarkable technology & innovation. And a symbol of the growing challenge of orbital congestion. Some estimates suggest 300k new satellites will be launched in the next decade. Underscores the need for better space situational awareness & for developing new standards.

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Our 16th Transporter rideshare mission is targeted to launch tomorrow from California and will deliver 119 payloads to orbit → https://t.co/jNNWZwQ7Jc

[David Riley @rileyfo]

But the skiers are cock-a-hoop

Riley, 2026

[David Riley @rileyfo]

“The trees are afraid to put forth buds,

And there is timidity in the grass.”

Hardy, 1917

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Great to have the FCDO’s Clive Hughes back in Geneva, for the launch of @VCDNP ‘s Space Norms Atlas - a fantastic resource for informing our debates later this year on the OEWG on #PAROS. Huge thanks to @louisreitmann for his continued partnership with FCDO.

[Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer]

I condemn in the strongest terms the overnight Iranian strike on a Qatari gas facility.

We are working towards a swift resolution to the situation in the Middle East, in the best interests of the British people – because there is no question that ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

On the 15th anniversary of the Syrian revolution, the UK was proud to support the new Syrian government's continued efforts to rid Syria of the Assad regime's chemical weapons programme. #SYRIA #OPCW

[UK at the UN 🇬🇧🇺🇳 @UKUN_NewYork]

The new Syrian government is working tirelessly to rid the country of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme.

Through the new Breath of Freedom Task Force, we will continue to work with Syria, the OPCW, and other partners to eradicate the regime’s deadly legacy.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Goodbye little man. Taken too soon. But had a good life. Enjoy that big ball of wool in the sky.

[David Riley @rileyfo]

Wordle Bot is just trolling me today….

(If you know, you know)

#wordle

[David Riley @rileyfo]

@_AlexBywater The kick I understand. Henry should have just tucked the ball up. Saw glory.