The role of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is to coordinate and pursue UK policies abroad. The Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs is assisted by three Ministers of State, a Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Business (jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as well as a Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State (jointly with the Ministry of Defence).

Science plays a major role in the UK foreign policy. Scientific advice to the FCO is provided through the Chief Scientific Adviser who provides advice to the Foreign Secretary, Ministers and officials on science, technology and innovation. The work of the CSA strengthens the scientific and engineering capacity within the FCO and ensures the FCO's work on key science and technology issues, such as climate change, energy, food security, counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation undergoes proper scientific challenge.

The FCO also has joint responsibility for the Science and Innovation Network (SIN) with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. SIN is a network of more than 95 science and innovation officers based in nearly 40 UK embassies and offices around the world, including India, China and Brazil. It was established by the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 2000 in response to the growing importance of science, technology and innovation for the UK's future.

SIN's purpose is to:

• promote access to and sharing of scientific expertise, resources and facilities through international scientific collaboration and exchange
• strengthen the UK's capacity to innovate through international research and development (R&D) investment, R&D partnerships and technology transfer
• inform effective domestic and international policy making and leadership based on the best available science
• use science and innovation to influence in an increasingly globalised world and to forge strategic alliances