Tag: 2024

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 September 2024.

Minister for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury embarks on a week-long visit to Ghana and Senegal to bolster partnerships for growth.

• UK support to boost growth, clean energy, food security and women’s empowerment announced as Minister for Africa Lord Collins begins week-long visit to West African regional powers, Ghana and Senegal
• in Ghana, UK funds will help small businesses to access clean energy sources and in Senegal, the minister will lead a delegation of 40 companies to explore opportunities to deepen trade and investment ties
• new funding will also improve access to reproductive health services for women and girls in Senegal

Modern economic partnerships are high on the agenda as UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins for Highbury, embarks on a week-long visit to Ghana and Senegal to drive mutual growth and prosperity.

In Senegal, Lord Collins will meet Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Leading a delegation of 40 companies, he will explore opportunities for increasing trade and investment between the UK and Senegal with a focus on partnerships that deliver mutually beneficial, sustainable growth.

He will also highlight new UK Export Finance-backed investment in infrastructure worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and commit UK support for Senegal’s new industrial strategy.

Visiting the Port of Dakar, Lord Collins will see first-hand how UK investment will support Senegalese and intra-African growth and trade and create jobs; and ride the UK-funded Dakar Bus Rapid Transit System, the first electric bus network in sub-Saharan Africa.

Approximately £7.24 million of UK funding has also been announced to empower women and girls to have greater voice, choice and control over their reproductive health and rights in Senegal, through the new Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Dividend programme.

Subject to contract, the programme will be delivered by MSI Senegal, alongside Senegalese and international partners, the programme is expected to prevent almost 400,000 unintended pregnancies, 92,000 unsafe abortions, and over 550 maternal deaths. It is also estimated to save approximately £24.3 million in direct healthcare costs that would otherwise be paid for by families or the healthcare system.

Ahead of his visit, Lord Collins of Highbury said:

The UK is reconnecting with the world. We are deepening our relationships with our African counterparts based on genuine respect, focusing on partnerships that deliver mutually beneficial and sustainable investment and growth.

In Senegal, I’m leading a UK trade mission of 40 companies and announcing support to their flagship connectivity programme and their new industrial strategy. In Ghana, we’re unlocking access to a network of clean, green energy for small businesses through an innovative partnership with the private sector. These are the growth initiatives of the future.

But a country cannot grow sustainably without empowering its women. That’s why I’m also announcing new funding to empower women and adolescents to have more freedom to control their bodies and their future and to contribute economically.

Alain Christian Mbengue, MSI Senegal’s Country Director, said:

I want to thank the UK government, not only for this important investment, but for their longstanding partnership and support.

Through this funding we and our partners will be able to expand access to lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services that will support the Ministry of Health and Social Action to reach its ambitious targets and give women and girls from the poorest and most vulnerable communities the opportunity to follow their dreams and become our next generation of leaders.

During his time in Ghana, Lord Collins will meet with the President Nana Akufo-Addo and political leaders ahead of the country’s election in December 2024. The minister will also meet with the World Food Programme (WFP) to understand more about how climate change is contributing to food insecurity, launching a £500,000 food fortification programme, alongside new funding of at least £1 million to support Ghanaian communities suffering from drought and crop deprivation.

The UK, together with Shell Foundation, will also announce support for innovative energy firms Kofa and PASH Global to accelerate the green energy transition in Ghana. Backed by a commitment of £3.8 million, Kofa and PASH will help small businesses switch from petrol generators to sustainable batteries for powering appliances like refrigerators. The initiative also promotes the use of electric motorbikes, providing green energy solutions for everyday mobility.

The project is part of the UK’s Transforming Energy Access programme which works with countries to provide sustainable energy for millions of people, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods.

Background

• during his visit to Senegal, Lord Collins will also launch the British Council’s English Connects programme for 2024 to 2025 to increase access to learning English in Senegalese secondary schools
• subject to contract, MSI Senegal will lead a consortium, building on longstanding collaboration with international partners like IPAS, Options and Sightsavers. They will also bring in vital local knowledge and expertise from African organisations including RAES, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) to improve women’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services in Senegal, with a focus on reaching the poor, vulnerable and hard-to-reach, such as women living with disabilities
• during his visit to Ghana, Lord Collins will launch a food fortification programme alongside new funding of at least £1 million to support Ghanaian communities suffering from drought and crop deprivation
• he will also launch a new £1.9 million Sankore call for proposals to support research and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria. Sankore is part of the UK’s Africa Technology and Innovation Partnership (ATIP) Programme

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2024.

Martin Hewitt CBE QPM has been appointed to lead the UK’s new Border Security Command – marking a significant step forward in the fight against illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs.

• Martin Hewitt CBE QPM appointed as new Border Security Commander
• Prime Minister announces former NPCC Chair with “unique expertise” ahead of Rome visit
• Commander will lead a new international effort to destroy criminal smuggling gangs

Martin Hewitt CBE QPM has been appointed to lead the UK’s new Border Security Command – marking a significant step forward in the fight against illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs.

Signalling a new approach to securing our borders, the Border Security Command will be armed with enhanced powers and will coordinate the work of all our law enforcement and intelligence agencies to lead joint investigations with European counterparts to address organised immigration crime.

Martin Hewitt has over 30 years’ experience tackling serious crime and protecting national security. As former Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council he led strategic coordination across all UK police forces and played a critical role in shaping national responses to major security threats, including terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration.

His ability to bring together policing, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and government bodies in response to major security threats was key to his appointment. His leadership was most visibly demonstrated in managing the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating policing efforts.

The announcement comes as part of the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy, where he is continuing his drive to reset relations with key international partners and deliver tangible results for the British people on migration, trade and security for the UK.

As part of the visit Keir Starmer will discuss with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni her country’s success in tackling irregular migration. Italy has seen a 60 per cent drop in irregular migration by sea over the past year thanks to tough enforcement and international cooperation.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“No more gimmicks. This government will tackle the smuggling gangs who trade the lives of men, women and children across borders.

“Martin Hewitt’s unique expertise will lead a new era of international enforcement to dismantle these networks, protect our shores and bring order to the asylum system.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

“I am delighted to welcome Martin to this role. Following decades working at the top of law enforcement on national security, public safety and serious organised crime he has the experience and track record we need to lead our Border Security Command.

“Dangerous criminal smuggling gangs have been making millions out of small boat crossings, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk, and getting away with it for far too long.

Under this Government we have taken early action against the smuggler gangs including increasing British officers stationed at Europol and commencing recruitment of 100 specialist investigators to go after these criminal networks and their supply chains, including seizing boats and engines.

“With the Border Security Command we can go much further – building new law enforcement partnerships across Europe and getting new powers into place, to go after the gangs, tackle dangerous boat crossings and save lives.”

Newly appointed Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt said:

“I am honoured and excited to lead this new and groundbreaking Command. I am under no illusions of the challenges that lie ahead, but I am determined to face them head-on.

“For too long, the criminal gangs who smuggle people through Europe have abused our borders in the name of profit, and they are responsible for the deaths of scores of vulnerable, innocent people. We will dismantle them, bring them to justice and prevent them from using exploitation and deceit to fill their pockets.

“It is great to see that progress has been made in recent weeks, and we will build on this to forge deeper relationships with all of the organisations within Border Security Command, as well as our friends and partners across the world.”

The Prime Minister will be joined in Rome by the new Commander and will outline the UK’s strategy to work more closely with European partners to pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for this vile trade.

During the visit the Prime Minister and Mr Hewitt will tour the National Coordination Centre for Migration to see first-hand how Italy responds to irregular migration and discuss future cooperation.

The Prime Minister is leading a reset in the relationship with Europe, with work to increase security co-operation already leading to a 50 per cent uplift in the number of National Crime Agency officers stationed in Europol, working on organised immigration crime.

This month the National Crime Agency (NCA) hosted a summit of Cabinet ministers and law enforcement partners that discussed plans for further collaboration with European partners.

This renewed cooperation has already led to success, including co-operation with Bulgaria seeing more than 40 small boats and engines being intercepted in recent weeks – enough to have enabled 2,400 people to attempt the deadly crossing. This work is among 70 live operations the NCA is currently running with international partners.

The planned Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will bring forward intrusive state powers mirroring Counter Terror legislation, to allow law enforcement partners to disrupt, investigate and prosecute those facilitating organised immigration crime.

The Prime Minister is visiting Italy to forge stronger ties with one of the UK’s key European partners following productive trips to Berlin, Paris and Dublin.

Italy is a pivotal NATO, G7 and EU player and the UK’s 9th largest trading partner with bilateral trade flows worth over £50 billion.

While in Rome the Prime Minister will focus on building an ambitious partnership with Italy that will deliver for the British and Italian people. He will meet with business leaders to explore ways to unlock further trade potential between the two countries and discuss closer co-operation with Prime Minister Meloni on defence and security.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 September 2024.

The UK government has announced £1 million of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to support the initial phase of the response to the impact of Typhoon Yagi.

• the UK government is providing £1 million of humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam. It will provide emergency supplies, cash assistance and critical services, such as health, water and sanitation to those affected
• Typhoon Yagi is the most powerful storm to hit the South China Sea in 30 years and has caused widespread damage and loss of life in multiple provinces
• this vital humanitarian assistance will support the initial phase of the response, including life-saving interventions and early recovery via humanitarian partners

The UK government has today announced £1 million of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to support the initial phase of the response to the impact of Typhoon Yagi. The vital assistance will be allocated to humanitarian partners and will reach individuals directly through providing emergency supplies, cash assistance and critical services, such as health, water and sanitation.

Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam with sustained winds of 142 mph and heavy rainfall. [As of 14 September] 351 people are reported to be dead or missing, and over 800 people have reported injuries following landslides, falling trees, and widespread flooding. Furthermore, over 188,000 houses are damaged, destroyed or flooded and there has been significant damage to power infrastructure, bridges, and educational facilities.

Vietnam is one of the world’s most climate vulnerable states. The UK is at the forefront of climate cooperation with Vietnam as co-leaders of the Just Energy Transition Partnership. In addition to supporting the initial phase of the typhoon response, this funding will help to boost Vietnam’s ongoing resilience to climate change.

Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said:

The UK government stands beside the people affected by the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam.

We have coordinated closely with the Vietnamese government and humanitarian partners to identify where our support can have greatest impact.

The funding announced today will reach those most in need, providing emergency supplies, cash assistance and critical services, such as health, water and sanitation to those in the worst affected areas.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 September 2024.

Statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, condemn in the strongest possible terms Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles.

Evidence that Iran has continued to transfer weaponry to Russia despite repeated international calls to stop represents a further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has used Iranian weaponry such as UAVs to kill Ukrainian civilians and strike their critical infrastructure. Russia’s aggression constitutes a flagrant violation of international law including the UN Charter.

Iran must immediately cease all support to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine and halt such transfers of ballistic missiles, UAVs and related technology, which constitute a direct threat to the Ukrainian people as well as European and international security more broadly.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to hold Iran to account for its unacceptable support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine that further undermines global security. In line with our previous statements on the matter, we are already responding with new and significant measures.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 September 2024.

Joint statement by the governments of the United Kingdom and United States on the occasion of the UK-US Strategic Dialogue in London.

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in London to open the UK-US Strategic Dialogue.

The Strategic Dialogue – led by the Secretaries of State of the United Kingdom and United States – celebrates and deepens the long-standing and special relationship between the United Kingdom and United States.

The dialogue, held 10 to 11 September 2024, covered the key elements of the UK-US partnership, including unwavering support for Ukraine, the promotion of peace and security in the Middle East including through a ceasefire in Gaza, cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, and alignment on secure, resilient and sustainable growth.

At the dialogue, the United Kingdom and United States emphasised the interconnectedness of the security and economies of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific.

Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the enduring support of the United Kingdom and United States for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They discussed next steps to mobilise military and financial resources for Ukraine, restrict Russian revenues, put pressure on the Kremlin’s war machine, and restore Ukraine’s energy networks. They condemned strongly Russia’s recent air strikes that devastated Ukrainian civilians.

They decided to work together to support the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans, highlighting Ukraine’s irreversible path to NATO membership. The dialogue expressed particular concern about China’s support to Russia’s defence industrial base.

Both leaders noted the importance of addressing security and stability in Europe; addressing threats from foreign disinformation, malicious cyber actors, and organised crime; and encouraging stable, inclusive, and prosperous societies.

Secretary Blinken confirmed intelligence findings that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran. Both Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken recognised the significance of this escalation and the concerning trend of Iran’s ever closer military support to Russia.

They condemned the transfer and made clear that, alongside international partners, they would take coordinated action to respond with new and significant measures for Iran and Russia.

The United Kingdom and United States also noted that Iran continued to bring instability to the region through its proliferation of advanced weaponry, alongside providing financial and political support to its partners, including Lebanese Hizballah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other groups in Iraq and Syria.

Both agreed that Iran’s nuclear programme had never been more advanced and posed a clear threat to regional and global peace and security.

Foreign Secretary Lammy expressed the United Kingdom’s clear support for the ongoing mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Both the United Kingdom and United States underlined their support for Israel’s security and the importance of avoiding any escalatory action in the region which would undermine the prospect for peace and progress towards a two-state solution.

In that regard, they affirmed their shared commitment to securing a political agreement for a lasting security solution along the Blue Line that will allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians on both sides to return to their homes with safety and security.

They discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated calls for all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and for Israel to facilitate the flow of aid, including ensuring the UN and humanitarian partners can deliver their operations safely.

They welcomed the ongoing polio vaccination campaign and underlined the importance of cooperation from all parties with the WHO and health agencies to ensure that all children who need to be are vaccinated.

The United Kingdom and United States reaffirmed their commitment to continue their Indo-Pacific Dialogue and pledged to explore new opportunities to coordinate approaches, work with others to support a free and open region, and oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.

Both nations recognised that their partnership with Australia, through AUKUS, is a demonstration of that continued collective commitment to the region. They welcomed last month’s publication of the United Kingdom’s AUKUS Nations Open General Licence, alongside an International Traffic in Arms Regulations exemption granted by the United States and looked forward to implementation.

These changes will enable enhanced collaboration and the rapid development of some of the most advanced capabilities in the world – revolutionising AUKUS partners’ defence trade sectors and unlocking growth and export opportunities for all of our industries.

The United Kingdom and United States affirmed the importance of close coordination to advance shared objectives and common values and interests with respect to the Indo-Pacific.

On China, the two sides confirmed our shared commitment to upholding international law and the rules based international system and noted with concern dangerous and destabilising actions in the South China Sea by Chinese vessels towards Philippines vessels.

The United Kingdom and United States emphasised the need to respect the law of the sea as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They restated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to the security and prosperity of the international community and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

The dialogue discussed the United Kingdom and United States’ shared priorities in Africa.  This includes efforts to end the conflict and promote expanded humanitarian access in Sudan and supporting Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term stability, including through the transition to a new African Union led security mission.

In the dialogue, the United Kingdom and United States reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening the resilience of democracies around the world.  Both noted longstanding US-UK collaboration on anti-corruption issues, and the United States welcomed increased UK focus on countering corruption – specifically kleptocracy – including by addressing illicit finance, beneficial ownership transparency, and enablers of corruption.

The United States and United Kingdom look forward to building on our cooperation in these areas, including through measures such as sanctions, multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, law enforcement, and foreign assistance.

Recognising the threat foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) poses to democracies, the United Kingdom and United States decided to increase the pace and scale of our joint efforts to disrupt Kremlin and other state-sponsored FIMI and to advance joint capabilities among our closest partners.

This effort was bolstered by a commitment from the United Kingdom and United States to take joint action to expose and disrupt covert foreign information operations around the world, which seek to spread lies and discord to undermine free and open societies.

The United Kingdom and United States affirm our ambition to deliver through the G7 Collective Response Framework in 2025. These efforts will include as special focus joint assistance to Ukraine to counter Kremlin disinformation and propaganda seeking to justify an unjustifiable invasion.

This work will build on and support both the United Kingdom and United States’ intention to continue bilateral cooperation on the five key action areas in the US Department of State’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation.

Drawing on Prime Minister Starmer and President Biden’s recent commitment to aligned ambitions for greater economic growth, Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken noted how the UK-US security partnership underpinned the prosperity that allows both economies to grow, while working on a suite of tools to protect our critical technologies at the same time.

They highlighted the centrality of the clean energy transition to economic security and growth and the criticality of strong climate leadership, as well as key domestic policies, such as the UK Clean Energy Superpower Mission and the US Inflation Reduction Act, and noted the considerable existing bilateral energy co-operation, including through the United Kingdom-United States Energy Dialogue.

The United Kingdom and United States committed to work together ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan, including on global climate finance goals and driving progress on the effort to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030. They also committed to continue working through the G7 and other multilateral fora to enhance economic security and resilience.

Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken expressed their enthusiasm for continuing to build on the steadfast relationship between the United Kingdom and United States. They affirmed the importance of Prime Minister Starmer’s September 13 meeting with President Biden in Washington DC and decided to continue discussions across the full range of foreign and security policy priorities.