Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Today we mark VJ Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in 1945. We remember all those who served in Asia and the Pacific, and reflect on the relief and celebration felt by millions as six years of conflict came to a close.

Wishing Indians in the UK, in India and around the world a very happy 80th Independence Day 🇮🇳

🚨 A criminal network thought it could operate in the shadows. It was wrong. Swipe to see how UK sanctions and cooperation with Kosovo helped disrupt the criminal gangs profiting from people smuggling.

"I thought I was going to be a rock star" 🎸 Dreadlocks. Lip ring. Punk band. Not the typical route to becoming a British Ambassador. Hear Nic Bowler's story ⤵️

What does it take to turn cutting-edge research into economic growth? The latest partnership between Oxfordshire-based Tokamak Energy and US firms Type One Energy and AECOM highlights how international collaboration can help bring emerging clean energy technologies closer to commercial reality. While fusion energy is often discussed in terms of its future potential, its economic impact is already being felt today through investment, skilled jobs, research partnerships and growing supply chains. As countries seek to strengthen both energy security and economic resilience, collaboration between government, industry and international partners will remain critical to turning innovation into growth. Read more ⬇️ 

More than 3,500 businesses across the UK have already engaged with the Diplomatic Advisory Hub. From exploring new markets and navigating sanctions to understanding developments in the Middle East, businesses are using diplomatic insight to help inform decisions in an increasingly complex international environment. Read more about how diplomatic expertise is helping organisations navigate global challenges 👇

Enough British tea bags to brew 1 million cups of tea. That's one of the milestones reached since UK food distribution specialist Curatyx secured a deal to bring British grocery products to stores across the Philippines, following support from the UK's diplomatic network. A great example of how our teams overseas help UK businesses reach new markets, drive exports and support growth at home. Read more  👇

The ocean is one of our planet’s greatest treasures. From today, a landmark international agreement to protect it comes into force in the UK. This is an important step towards protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.

Get ready with the UK’s Ambassador to the Holy See 🇻🇦🇬🇧 As the UK's new Ambassador to the Holy See, Tammy Sandhu MBE will work with the Vatican on global challenges from peacebuilding to humanitarian action, AI ethics and supporting women and girls worldwide. It's a role that combines centuries of diplomatic tradition with some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

This is why the UK-US partnership matters 🇬🇧🇺🇸