The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) launched a strategic framework on 01 April 2008 that is centred on the mission statement: "Better World, Better Britain". The framework sets out four policy goals to guide the FCO's work. These are:

• Counter terrorism, weapons proliferation and their causes
• Prevent and resolve conflict
• Promote a low carbon, high growth, global economy
• Develop effective international institutions, above all the UN and EU

These four goals constitute the FCO's priorities in advancing the UK's foreign policy, through which it seeks to shape the international environment, in order to protect citizens, promote the economy, and spread values. The FCO uses a network of more than 260 embassies and consulates in over 140 countries as a platform for the delivery of these priorities and to provide essential services. The essential services carried out by the network are: support for the British economy; support for British nationals abroad; and support managed migration for Britain.  The FCO is dedicated to playing its part in helping make the UK a global hub in the 21st century. Find out more by visiting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website