The Foreign and Commonwealth Office launched its ten international strategic priorities for the UK in March 2006, in the White Paper “Active Diplomacy for a Changing World: The UK’s International Priorities”. The priorities were drawn up in consultation across Government and beyond. They are the focus for the UK’s activity around the world.

The ten strategic priorities are:

1. Making the world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction
2. Reducing the harm to the UK from international crime, including drug trafficking, people smuggling and money laundering
3. Preventing and resolving conflict through a strong international system
4. Building an effective and globally competitive EU in a secure neighbourhood
5. Supporting the UK economy and business through an open and expanding global economy, science and innovation and secure energy supplies
6. Achieving climate security by promoting a faster transition to a sustainable, low carbon global economy
7. Promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction underpinned by human rights, democracy, good governance and protection of the environment
8. Managing migration and combating illegal immigration
9. Delivering high-quality support for British nationals abroad, in normal times and in crises
10. Ensuring the security and good governance of the UK’s Overseas Territories