Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Photograph of stairs inside the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

About

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a worldwide network of diplomatic and development offices, including 280 embassies and high commissions, and employs over 17,000 people. Staff on our FCDO international ‘platform’ work for many different UK government departments and agencies.

The FCDO pursues the UK’s national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

The International Academy, previously the Diplomatic Academy, was launched in 2015 to build skills and expertise for all UK government staff working on international issues.