LATEST NEWSStay up to date with important announcements, policy changes, and diplomatic insights. Our news updates cover:
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13 October 2025
To mark the UK and European Anti-Trafficking Day, the CCL brought the London’s consuls together for the seminar ”Preventing Exploitation and Strengthening Protection at the border” delivered by the Border Force UK National Safeguarding and Modern Slavery Team. As part of the presentation, Border Force officers discussed about the vulnerabilities encountered at border points, the various forms of exploitation, the tools available to protect victims, as well as the international cooperation in this field. Hosted within the newly refurbished Community Hub of the Romanian Consulate General in London, the event reflected the Hub’s mission to foster dialogue, partnership, and collective action. The aim of the event was to strengthen the capacity of consulates to identify and manage cases of human trafficking and exploitation and to promote the exchange of good practices in this field. We thank our speakers, our partners for supporting CCL’s activities, and all attendees for joining us. |
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22 July 2025
The Consular Corps of London (CCL) hosted another informative session at the Cyprus High Commission, delivered by the Home Office – National Community Engagement Team (NCET). The event was opened by Mr. Robert Marin, President of the Consular Corps of London and Consul General of Romania in London, who emphasised the shared responsibility of consular offices and local authorities to safeguard our diaspora communities. The purpose of NCET is to safeguard the vulnerable, raise awareness of risks such as exploitation and harm, and ensure access to the right support. We were pleased to see that their mission also includes building trusted relationships between Immigration Enforcement and communities, and keeping communities informed about their rights and available support. We thank our speakers, our partners for supporting CCL’s activities, and all attendees for joining us. |
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16 June 2025
Our series of events continues. On 16 June, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Corneliu Bjola, Professor of Digital Diplomacy and Head of the Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group, for a thought-provoking discussion on “Consular Diplomacy in the Digital and AI Age.” Robert Marin, Consul General of Romania and president of CCL, opened the session by underlining the importance of integrating research and practitioners’ insights into diplomatic policy and consular service development. Professor Bjola addressed both the opportunities and challenges brought by AI and digitalisation in consular work: • Automating processes: appointments, virtual assistants, chatbots • Face recognition, geolocation: benefits versus GDPR limits, transparency and trust issues • Crisis response: balancing automation with the human element in emergencies • AI as a capacity builder: from crisis management to staff training It was an insightful dialogue at the intersection of diplomacy, technology, and ethics. We thank Professor Bjola for the eye-opening discussion, our partners for supporting CCL’s activities, and all attendees for joining us. Every CCL event offers the opportunity to meet colleagues, both career and honorary consuls, working in London, to discuss common consular issues, and to develop partnerships in the best interest of our communities. |
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30 May 2025
We opened the Consular Corps of London calendar of events for the summer with a session on the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) for Mass Casualty Events, presented by the Metropolitan Police. This was an opportunity to learn about MIPP, how it can assist in effectively managing mass casualty incidents, and how it supports victim identification. We thank the Metropolitan Police for the insightful session, our partners for supporting CCL’s activities, Foreign Law Enforcement Community and all attendees for joining us. Every CCL event is an opportunity to meet colleagues — both career and honorary consuls — working in London, to discuss common consular issues, and to develop partnerships in the best interest of our community. |
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19 March 2025
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status. Eligible Europeans can now apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025. Eligible non-Europeans already need an ETA to travel to the UK. Read more |
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31 January 2025
Consul General Robert Marin has been elected President of the Executive Committee of the Consular Corps of London, one of the most prestigious consular professional organizations in the world. During his term, Consul General Robert Marin aims to enhance inter-consular collaboration, promote the exchange of best practices, and develop strategic partnerships with British authorities, with a particular focus on initiatives dedicated to protecting vulnerable individuals and communities. This recognition highlights once again the professionalism and dedication of the Romanian Consulate in London in international diplomacy and in supporting the Romanian community in the United Kingdom. |