The new UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

1 September 2020

Government

The new UK Government Department, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is officially launched on Wednesday 02 September.

The FCDO will unite development and diplomacy in one new department that brings together the best of the UK’s international effort into one government department. It will continue to demonstrate the country’s role to act as a force for good in the world.

The UK is acknowledged as a world leader in international development, helping overcome extreme poverty in developing countries by tackling medical challenges including coronavirus, saving lives in humanitarian crises and promoting education and sustainability.

The objectives of the new overseas department and a reset of the UK’s international priorities will be shaped by the outcome of a major assessment underway across the UK government, known as the Integrated Review. It is expected the Review will conclude before the end of 2020 and represents the biggest review of foreign, defence and development policy since the Cold War. The UK overseas territories will remain an important component of the UK’s international interests.

Of the change, the Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook said:

"The FCDO will continue working with the Ascension Island Government to deliver effective governance, public services and improved infrastructure as well as protecting the island’s environment and heritage."

Members of the public can continue to contact FCDO officials in the Governor’s and Administrator’s Offices through existing email addresses and telephone numbers. All FCDO officials in the Governor’s and Administrator’s Offices will also be contactable through an additional email address from 02 September using the format first.surname@fcdo.gov.uk.