The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on 17 January 2023.
A year ago today the Houthis inflicted a deadly attack on the UAE, killing 3 innocent civilians.
The UK’s commitment to standing with our Emirati friends in the face of threats to their security is as strong today as it was then.
The speech made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in Abu Dhabi on 14 January 2023.
The UAE seems to be playing some part in my fate.
Last year, I found myself just 100 kilometres away from here.
But, far from the beaches and the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it felt like a different world.
There, in the middle of the desert, I saw a sparkling sea of a different kind.
The deep blue shine of millions of photovoltaic panels in the sun, generating hundreds of megawatts of renewable electricity.
Panels which will eventually become part of one of the largest solar plants in the world.
I had little idea then that fate would return me here only a year later as the Minister responsible for energy.
Today, some things remain the same; the UAE is still right at the cutting edge in generating low-cost solar power on a frankly stunning scale. Right here in Abu Dhabi, they’re breaking fresh records in solar technology at Al Dhafra and Shams.
But much has changed, and not just for me.
In many ways, we find ourselves in a different world.
The last time this forum convened, Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine was just beginning.
Now, we face a winter which, for many in Europe, is overshadowed by concern about falling energy supplies and rising prices…
…a winter when households have had to think twice before turning up the thermostat…
…when factories have been forced to pause production…
…when inflation has rocketed…
and growth has slowed.
It is also a winter that comes at the end of a year that saw flooding in Pakistan…
…heatwaves in the UK…
…and bomb cyclones in the US.
A year when we began to feel the likely impacts of climate change in earnest.
There is much about the last twelve months that I could not have foreseen back then.
And looking forward to 2023, the future is far from clear; I certainly wouldn’t want to make too many predictions.
But – putting matters of predestination aside – there’s one thing we can be sure of: energy matters now more than ever.
So where do we go from here?
Perhaps we are best off starting with the ways that world has changed for the better in 2022.
Off our Eastern coast, we completed Hornsea Two – the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
There, you will find over a hundred turbines.
At their very highest point, they are a dizzying 200m above the stormy seas below.
For those of you who have visited the Zayed Sports City Stadium, that’s almost the height of two football pitches stacked on top of each other.
Just a single rotation of one of these turbines generates enough electricity to power a home for 24 hours.
But Hornsea Two is far from our first success – because we’re home to the world’s second, third, and fourth largest wind farms, too.
Today, all of them are capturing the high winds of the North Sea, in a year when we beat our record for wind power generation three times.
And across the Atlantic in California, we’ve witnessed another extraordinary achievement.
Just a month ago, scientists at the Laurence Livermore National Laboratory announced one of the most significant energy breakthroughs in living memory.
Aiming 192 high-powered lasers at a tiny spherical capsule just 2mm wide, they were able to harness the same reactions that power the sun and stars to demonstrate fusion ignition, proving what until now had only existed in theory and paving the way towards what could be one day a near-limitless source of energy for the future. And back in the UK, we’re taking leaps of our own.
We’re not just developing our very own fusion power plant, a ‘spherical tokamak’ on the site of an old coal power station in the Midlands. We are also operating the Joint Energy Torus, the most powerful fusion facility in the world and taking the lead in regulating and commercialising fusion technology, working out the best way to get it out of the lab and into the real market place, and into the world.
These are stories of entrepreneurs and innovators, working together to deliver clean, secure energy for millions, and jobs for thousands more.
Stories that tell us that the fates of energy security, net zero, and the economic growth are inseparably intertwined.
Dependable supplies of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, have a crucial role to play in easing the energy transition, which we just heard about in the discussion on stage.
But it is only by harnessing the power of transformative green technologies that we can build a global energy system that is fit for the future.
Whether that’s in the UK, where we’re developing small modular reactors which promise to make nuclear easier, faster, and cheaper… and we have been running them in the sea for the last six days.
…or here in Abu Dhabi, where operations have begun at the Barakah nuclear power plant, the first nuclear power plant not just in the UAE but in the whole Arab world, expected to deliver up to a quarter of the nation’s electricity needs when fully up and running…
…and where, last week, ADNOC announced $15bn to accelerate its decarbonisation strategy, investing in everything from energy efficiency and electrification to carbon capture.
Now yesterday, I signed a Clean Energy Memorandum between the UK and the UAE to promote energy security and investment between our two nations.
Agreements like this matter. Because when it comes to climate change, the whole world has a stake. And none of us should have to settle for less.
So working together really matters…
…to deliver a low-carbon future that isn’t just more secure and more prosperous…
…but a future that is fairer is a future I think that is worth fighting for.
Our International Climate Finance has already provided an astonishing 58 million people with improved access to clean energy since 2011.
But we are delivering on our pledge to double it up to at least £11.6bn from 2021, reaching tens of millions more.
Because the Green Industrial Revolution must not leave anyone behind.
After all, you can’t just shut down your power stations and be done with it, leaving millions without energy or employment.
That’s where Just Energy Transition Partnerships come in. They are mobilising billions to support the transition from coal power to clean growth in key economies like South Africa and Indonesia.
And, by investing in new green energy supplies, electric vehicles, and hydrogen, they are providing security and opportunity for communities across these countries.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have to say it is fitting that we are here in the UAE, 2023’s COP28 President elect Sultan Al Jaber and his great leadership and speech this morning. Because it is here that we are seeing and building on the extraordinary progress that has been made since Glasgow, built on in Egypt, but this year we will have to see those real developments, in this stocktake COP taking place in November and December.
We face challenges the likes of which no generation has ever faced before.
Let me just take you briefly back to that solar sea in the desert that I talked about visiting last year.
Today, they’re building the tallest solar tower in the entire world.
Concentrating the heat reflected by tens of thousands of moving mirrors onto a single point, it will be a shining a beacon hundreds of meters above the ground – and a lighthouse above the blue beneath.
Innovations like these -creating powers in new ways – must be an inspiration for us all, guiding us towards a better energy technology of tomorrow.
But none of this can be done alone. None of it can be done alone.
I have talked today about fate, not just my fate but also your fate – or our joint fates.
And I said before that we could only be certain of one thing: energy matters more today than it ever has done in the history of humanity.
In the face of great challenges, we have no oracles to turn to…
…nor do I have any Delphic maxims to offer.
But, without climbing the steps of Mount Parnassus, or any other high mountain, I think there is one thing that we can be absolutely sure of…we will succeed as humanity in doing this.
One thing I can’t be certain of is my fate, other than to say, I know the UAE will continue to be a big part of it and I can predict with absolute confidence that I will be back here in December. I look forward to seeing you all at COP28. Thank you very much.
The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on 14 January 2023.
The execution of British-Iranian Alireza Akbari is a barbaric act that deserves condemnation in the strongest possible terms. Through this politically motivated act, the Iranian regime has once again shown its callous disregard for human life.
This will not stand unchallenged and we will be summoning the Iranian Charge d’Affaires to make clear our disgust at Iran’s actions. Our thoughts are with Mr Akbari’s family.
The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on 13 January 2023.
The Iranian regime should be in no doubt. We are watching the case of Alireza Akbari closely. Iran must not follow through with their brutal threat of execution.
The statement made by David Rutley, the Minister for Americas and the Caribbean, at the UN Security Council on 12 January 2023.
Thank you, Mr President. I am grateful to our briefers for their valuable contributions today.
The UK has long been an advocate for the rules-based international order as the foundation of international peace, development and human advancement, and we remain deeply committed to it today.
At the heart of this order, is the UN Charter.
Since its inception in 1945, 193 countries have ratified that Charter, committing to work together to save future generations from the scourge of war, promote human rights, and uphold international law.
And within that Charter, Articles 1 and 2 are of particular importance to today’s Security Council discussion. These Articles provide the foundations for global peace and security. They include an express commitment by Member States not to threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. And they oblige Member States to settle disputes by exclusively peaceful means.
These are principles we have all made a commitment to. And for all the tragedies and bloodshed of the last 8 decades, the remarkable truth is that global commitment has made a difference, with the number of deaths in state conflicts as a share of global population falling by 95% between 1946 and 2020.
And yet, while many countries – indeed the vast majority – have demonstrated how seriously they take their commitments under the UN Charter, a handful continue to show their disregard for the rules-based international order, and the Rule of Law.
Mr President, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is a particularly stark example. Through its unprovoked invasion, sham referenda and illegal attempted annexations, Russia has shown contempt for its obligations under the UN Charter. Russia has clearly violated the prohibition of the use of force and the principle of non-intervention in contravention of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is made more egregious by the fact Russia is a permanent member of this Council, which brings with it a particular responsibility.
Elsewhere too, we continue to see certain Member States act in a way which demonstrates a disregard for the rules-based international order.
Iran’s nuclear programme has never been more advanced than it is today. It is threatening international peace and security and undermining the global non-proliferation system.
In North Korea, the unprecedented launch of 70 ballistic missiles in 2022 violates multiple Security Council Resolutions also continues to threaten international peace and security.
And in Syria, the targeting of schools, hospitals and emergency first responders – by the Regime and Russia – are flagrant violations of international law and, indeed, basic human decency. Rape and sexual violence have been widely used as a weapon of war, notably by Regime pro-government forces.
Today’s discussion is timely. Any breach of the UN Charter and its fundamental principles, which underpin global peace and security, represents a threat to us all. And so now, more than ever, the International Community must come together to reiterate our support for the UN Charter, and the Rule of Law; commit to work together to strengthen the rules-based international order and the Rule of Law, and to send a clear signal that we will not tolerate efforts to undermine the rules-based international order. The United Kingdom looks forward to working with you all to do so.
Thank you, Mr President.
The statement made by David Rutley, the Minister for Americas and the Caribbean, at the UN Security Council on 11 January 2023.
Thank you President, Special Representative Massieu.
The UK Government remains committed to supporting the consolidation of peace in Colombia through the full implementation of the peace agreement with the FARC.
We welcome the Colombian Government’s commitment to implement the 2016 agreement as a fundamental part of its work to secure a broad and lasting peace.
We have been pleased to see renewed momentum over the past three months, including the government purchase of 3 million hectares from the Cattle Ranchers Association; the reactivation of the National Reintegration Council, and the concluding resolutions passed by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
We welcome today’s Council’s decision to expand the mandate of the UN Verification Mission, to cover progress on the rural reform and ethnic chapters of the peace agreement. It is clear that progress on these two chapters is vital.
As the Secretary-General set out in his recent report, violence remains the greatest threat to the consolidation of peace in Colombia.
We welcome the decisive action taken by the Government to strengthen public security forces in new reintegration areas, and the Vice-President’s announcement of increased funding to safeguard women leaders and human rights defenders.
We share the Government’s concern about attacks on human rights defenders, environmental advocates, and other civil society activists. We are committed to tackling these threats together in order to secure a better future for the Colombian people. We also welcome the continued close cooperation between Colombia and its international partners on tackling drugs and organised crime.
In this context, we welcome Government-led efforts to secure a ceasefire, in order to reduce insecurity and alleviate the suffering of conflict-affected populations.
We also welcome Special Representative Massieu’s support for the Government’s ongoing dialogue with the ELN.
President, Colombia remains an example to the world of the transformative potential of dialogue and leadership. I’ve seen that commitment first-hand on a recent visit.
As the Colombian people seek to overcome the remaining barriers to a broad and lasting peace, the UK is proud to stand with them.
The statement made by Jesse Norman, the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, in the House of Commons on 9 January 2023.
The Government have taken action, under powers within the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984, to limit the risk of covid-19 infections from travellers originating from China.
The Government have announced these precautionary and temporary measures to improve the UK’s ability to detect potential new variants of covid-19 from China, following an increase in cases there and the easing of their border measures from 8 January.
The decision has been taken due to a lack of comprehensive health information shared by China. The situation remains under review and if there are improvements in information sharing and greater transparency then the temporary measures will be amended.
On 30 December 2022, the Government announced that they would require people flying directly or indirectly from mainland China to England to provide proof of a negative pre-departure test, taken within two days of departure. This came into effect as of 4 am on 5 January 2023. This applies to transiting passengers, as well as those whose final destination is England.
In addition, we announced that the UK Health Security Agency will launch surveillance that will see a sample of passengers from China, arriving at Heathrow airport only, undertaking PCR tests for covid-19 on a voluntary basis. UKHSA activated this process on 8 January in readiness for the first flights arriving later this week. All positive samples will be sent for sequencing to enhance existing measures to monitor for new variants.
The UK joins a growing list of countries across the world, including the US, France, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Malaysia and India, in announcing measures designed to help to detect and assess any new covid-19 variants.
While public health is a devolved matter and these measures currently apply only in England, the Government continue to work closely with the devolved Administrations.
The Government recognise the impact that these temporary health measures may have on businesses and passengers. The situation remains under constant review and the UK is working with industry and closely monitoring the situation on the mainland while encouraging China to provide greater transparency on their covid data.
The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 11 January 2023.
In the past 12 months, we have written the next chapter of the relationship between the UK and Japan – accelerating, building and deepening our ties. We have so much in common: a shared outlook on the world, a shared understanding of the threats and challenges we face, and a shared ambition to use our place in the world for global good, ensuring our countries prosper for generations to come.
This Reciprocal Access Agreement is hugely significant for both our nations – it cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific and underlines our joint efforts to bolster economic security, accelerate our defence cooperation and drive innovation that creates highly skilled jobs.
In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic societies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we navigate the unprecedented global challenges of our time.
The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on 7 January 2023.
The execution of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini by the Iranian regime is abhorrent.
The UK is strongly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and the Iranian regime has done further lasting damage to its reputation at home and overseas with yet another disproportionate response to the Iranian people protesting legitimately against their oppression.
We have and will continue to make our views clear to the Iranian authorities – Iran must immediately halt all executions and end the violence against its own people.
The statement made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2008.
Between 8 and 12 August, Russian and Georgian troops clashed in Georgia’s separatist region of South Ossetia. The resulting conflict led to a tragic loss of civilian life, and the displacement of over 100,000 people.
From the start of the conflict, the UK and its international partners have been involved in intensive discussions, including through the UN, EU, NATO, G7 and OSCE, to agree a ceasefire and to find a durable and peaceful way forward. I spoke to Russian President Medvedev and to other Heads of State, including Presidents Bush and Sarkozy, to try to find a way forward. My Rt hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (David Miliband), visited Georgia where he met President Saakashvili and members of his government.
On 12 August, the EU and OSCE were able to broker a ceasefire between the parties and agreement to a way forward. This agreement included six key principles:
Despite this plan, on 26 August, Russia unilaterally recognised the independence of South Ossetia and of Georgia’s other separatist region, Abkhazia. Russia also refused to withdraw its forces from Georgia and in some cases moved to reinforce them.
It was in this context that I and my Rt hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended the Extraordinary European Council on 1 September, convened by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his capacity as current Presidency of the EU, to discuss the current crisis in Georgia.
At this meeting the European Council unanimously condemned Russia’s decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; and expressed its grave concern about the consequences of the conflict and Russia’s disproportionate military action. Russia’s actions were in clear breach of international law and of successive UN Security Council Resolutions.
In response to Russian actions, the Council decided to conduct a comprehensive review of EU-Russia relations. This evaluation has begun and will continue in the run up to the next EU-Russia Summit scheduled to take place in Nice on 14 November 2008. The EU has decided to suspend negotiations with Russia on the new EU Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) until Russian troops withdraw from Georgia to their pre-conflict line. We strongly support this decision. As I made clear during Council discussions, although the EU should continue discussions with Russia on areas of interest and concern to the EU, it cannot be “business as usual”. This review will allow us to take a considered decision about the future of EU-Russia relations.
Russia’s actions in Georgia illustrate the need for Europe to intensify efforts to ensure its long-term energy security. The European Council tasked the EU with examining initiatives to be taken to this end. We should explore all options for the diversification of energy supply in the EU, including increased support for infrastructure that diversifies energy sources, an increased commitment to renewable energy, measures to improve energy efficiency and measures to improve the internal market.
The international community must support Georgia in rebuilding the damage caused by the conflict. The European Council made clear the EU’s commitment to supply humanitarian aid and support for Georgia’s long-term reconstruction efforts, including in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Council and the Commission have been tasked to start preparations for an international conference to bring focus to reconstruction efforts. The UK will play its part. We have already committed £2million to Georgia in humanitarian aid. The EU has pledged to step up its relations with Georgia, including through visa facilitation measures, appointing an EU Special Envoy and the possible establishment of a full and comprehensive free trade area as soon as the conditions are met.
At the European Council, the EU unanimously called on the parties to implement the EU/OSCE peace plan in full. On 8 September, President Sarkozy, EU Commission President Barroso and EU High Representative Solana travelled to Moscow to press Russia to abide by its commitments. I welcome the agreement reached during this meeting that Russia will withdraw its troops from Georgian territory outside Abkhazia and South Ossetia and that Russia will commit to international discussions on future security modalities. This is a good first step towards peace and security. But it is only the start; Russia must now implement these commitments and must engage fully in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
The international community will support efforts to ensure lasting peace and security in the region, including through the presence of observers on the ground. In line with the EU Council Conclusions and the 8 September Moscow agreement, the European Union will contribute to these efforts. EU Foreign Ministers will discuss the deployment of EU monitors at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on Monday, 15 September. It is vital that international monitors are given free and unfettered access by all sides to carry out their mandate.
The EU’s response to this crisis must also consider the implications for the EU’s common neighbourhood. On 27 August my Rt hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary travelled to Kiev where he made a speech on the need for closer ties between the EU and the region. I am pleased that the Council agreed that the EU should strengthen its relations with the region, including Ukraine. I welcome the successful EU – Ukraine Summit which took place yesterday (9 September). I look forward to the Commission’s proposals for enhancing EU relations with the region, due in December this year.
The UK will continue to work with international partners to ensure that effective support is given to Georgia and that a lasting, peaceful solution is reached as soon as possible.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will continue to keep the House informed of developments.