Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

10 UK net zero start-ups pitched their technologies for up to $1 million investment and entry into an accelerator programme for green start-ups.

The UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme Demo Day kicked off in Sunway City, Kuala Lumpur today where 10 UK net zero start-ups pitched their technologies in-person for up to US$1 million investment and entry into the Sunway iLabs’ Net Zero Lab, an accelerator programme for green start-ups. The initiative also saw UK tech companies connecting and exploring opportunities with the wider tech ecosystem including Malaysia government bodies and venture capital funds.

The event was attended by Minister of Economy YB Rafizi Ramli, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific Natalie Black, Deputy British High Commissioner David Wallace as well as Sunway Group’s Group Chief Executive Officer of Digital and Strategic Investments Evan Cheah.

The programme is held in partnership with Sunway Innovation Labs (Sunway iLabs), the innovation arm of Sunway Group, MyDigital Corporation and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, and delivered by IoT Tribe. Through the programme, UK start-ups will be able to pilot and scale their innovative solutions alongside Malaysian corporates to digitalise analogue systems, optimise energy use through AI and improve food security. The initiative will also help realise Malaysia’s digital ambitions towards a fully digitalised economy as outlined in the MyDigital Blueprint and the 4IR policy.

YB Rafizi Ramli, Minister of Economy said:

The first step to instilling a culture of innovation is understanding that innovation is simply looking at a day-to-day problem, and asking, ‘How can I make this better?’

All the best creations in the world start from that simple question. And programmes like the UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme could help shape a society where its people are comfortable with asking that question, and seeing themselves as creators rather than just passive consumers. This is one step forward in mainstreaming the culture of innovation.

David Wallace, Deputy British High Commissioner to Malaysia said:

The UK’s bilateral trade with Malaysia totals £5.9 billion with digital, technology and cyber being the fastest growth sector. By connecting UK digital tech businesses with leading Malaysian corporates, and aggregating complementary strengths and resources, the Programme is a catalyst for commercial partnerships and investments.

Natalie Black, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, said:

With its fast-growing technology sector and strategic location in ASEAN’s booming digital economy, Malaysia is a top destination for cutting-edge tech companies looking to expand and diversify their reach within the region.

That’s why we’ve brought 10 UK Net Zero tech businesses here for the UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme Demo Day, bringing to fruition the innovative partnership we started with Sunway during last year’s London Tech Week.

Today’s event marks the final stretch of our inaugural UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week and an exciting new chapter for collaboration between our two tech ecosystems.

Matt van Leeuwen, Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and Director of Sunway iLabs, said:

Sunway is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions in line with the Malaysian government’s commitment of being carbon-neutral by 2050. This is a really ambitious target, which means we have to think and act differently in order to achieve this. In addition to our internal initiatives, Sunway is looking to partner with global startups to co-create solutions that can be tested and validated in our extensive ecosystem, with the ultimate objective to scale these in the Malaysian and wider Southeast Asian market. We launched the Sunway iLabs’ Net Zero Lab, a cross-border investment programme, to source and accelerate climate tech innovations that have a positive and sustainable impact on our communities and the planet.

Sunway iLabs is committed to supporting Malaysia’s green transition. It recently launched the Net Zero Labs and is increasing investments in climate tech solutions, such as carbon storage and utilisation, and large-scale implementation of renewable energy. This programme is supported by Khazanah, Japanese External Trade Organization Kuala Lumpur (JETRO KL), Deep Tech Labs and the Department for Business and Trade.

Through the UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme, Sunway hopes to instigate some of that so they can start investing in some of the solutions they see coming out of the UK, to help them achieve their goals by 2050.

The UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme is part of the wider UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week held across Jakarta, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The week’s activities brought together cutting-edge UK tech companies and business and government representatives from across the region.

The leading UK start-ups shortlisted to showcase their disruptive technologies in Malaysia include Agave Networks, Filia, Inferrix, Informed Solutions, Permia Sensing, ProtectBox, Singular Intelligence, Voltvision, Voyage Control, Wootzano.

The event was well attended by over 100 stakeholders from across the Malaysian tech ecosystem. Besides senior representatives from Sunway Group, the event attracted other Malaysian corporates, investors and Malaysian government agencies such as MyDigital Corporation and MDEC. The event provided a valuable opportunity for exchange between UK and Malaysia as both countries move forward together towards a net zero future.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

The UK Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait held the inaugural UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 March 2023.

The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, and the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait His Excellency Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, held the inaugural UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 March 2023.

The two Ministers reviewed key areas of collaboration between the United Kingdom and the State of Kuwait, noting the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship as well as the shared history and the strong people-to-people links that underpin this.

The UK and Kuwait reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral defence and security partnership. They welcomed the longstanding bilateral cooperation to bolster cyber defences against the growing threat posed by state and non-state actors. The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s commitment to Kuwait’s security and territorial integrity, as well as to peace and stability around the world, and commended the positive role that Kuwait plays in regional security and beyond.

UK and Kuwait share a strong trade and investment relationship. The total volume of trade almost doubled last year, while the London based Kuwait Investment Office, a stalwart of the City’s financial sector, marks its 70th anniversary this year. Ministers explored priorities for future areas of investment. The recent announcement that Kuwaiti nationals may travel visa-free using the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme from February 2024 will further strengthen business, tourism and people-to-people links.

The two Ministers exchanged views and explored opportunities on a number of key foreign policy priorities, including Yemen, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), and Ukraine.

They discussed ongoing peace talks that seek to end the conflict that has ravaged Yemen for over eight years. Discussing the OPTs, both Ministers expressed grave concerns at the rising level of violence and instability and stressed the need to resolve this longstanding conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

On Ukraine, the two Ministers welcomed the overwhelming international support for last month’s UNGA Resolution calling for Russia to end hostilities and withdraw from Ukraine, and humanitarian assistance, including supporting reconstruction efforts.

The Strategic Dialogue complimented and built on the work of the longstanding UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group, the 19th session of which was co-chaired on 14 February 2023 by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East and North South Asia, the UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and His Excellency Mansour Al-Otaibi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Belarus, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Venezuela.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you High Commissioner for your recent visit to Venezuela and for your important update.

The UK shares your serious concerns about the human rights situation in Venezuela. Civic space remains significantly curtailed and freedom of expression restricted. Prisoners, particularly human rights defenders, unlawfully and arbitrarily detained, and restrictions on the rights of women and LGBTI people persist. However, we welcome the recent decision by the Supreme Court of Justice to decriminalise same-sex relationships in the military.

The proposed NGO and International Cooperation bills, which would limit further the civil and democratic space, are deeply concerning. We urge constructive dialogue with the international community to ensure this space is protected in accordance with Venezuela’s international obligations.

Human rights are also about the millions of vulnerable Venezuelans unable to access adequate health care, nutrition and water; this crisis will have long-term impacts on the lives of all Venezuelans.

We call for the respect of human rights and an end to impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations. This will be particularly important ahead of elections in 2024.

High Commissioner, how can the international community support access to justice for victims of human rights violations?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

This month marks twelve years of devastating conflict and bloodshed for the Syrian people. Last month’s earthquakes adding further to their suffering. The UK offers its deepest condolences for the victims of the earthquakes.

Thank you, Commissioners, for your latest report, which once again provides unambiguous evidence of the appalling human rights violations the Syrian people continue to suffer. Suffering for which the authorities and its allies bear primary responsibility.

Your findings on sexual and gender-based violence are alarming, even more so given they are not indicative of the full scale of the crimes in Syria owing to the stigma and lack of redress faced by victims and survivors.

There is only one way forward: complete respect for human rights and for perpetrators to be held to account.

Commissioners,

Assad has sought to use the devastating earthquakes to portray himself in a favourable light, even while his authorities continue to misappropriate aid and bombard civilian areas. What recommendations do the Commissioners have to ensure vital accountability efforts targeting the authorities and its backers continue?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

International Technology Strategy launched to guide UK to becoming a tech superpower by 2030.

The UK has today (22 March 2023) published a roadmap for reaching tech superpower status by 2030 through a new International Technology Strategy.

The Foreign Secretary and the Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary set out at the launch in London how the UK will build on the strength of our tech sector, which is already the largest in Europe and the third highest valued in the world after the USA and China.

Last week’s publication of the Integrated Review Refresh identified that authoritarian regimes are using technology as a tool of oppression – with far-reaching consequences for the security and prosperity of the British people.

The International Technology Strategy sets out the UK’s alternative. The UK, guided by four principles – to be open, responsible, secure and resilient – will shape the future of technology in a way that promotes its use positively, and drives innovation and UK tech leadership, while boosting our security from new and emerging threats.

The UK government will work closely with governments, academia and industry to leverage the UK’s world-leading strengths in technology through international partnerships with established and emerging science and technology powerhouse nations.

The Prime Minister has made growing the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity across the country, one of his five priorities. Investing in our thriving tech sector will directly contribute to that. The sector was worth $1 trillion in 2022, and our country is home to more than 85,000 start-ups and scale-ups. More investment was generated in the UK tech sector last year than in France and Germany combined, creating and sustaining high quality jobs around the country.

The International Tech Strategy will boost growth in this sector, strengthening our position on the world stage while forging long-term links that will promote the UK as place for investment and collaboration in the technologies of the future

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Now more than ever, it is important that the UK steps up to promote British tech excellence worldwide and takes a stand against the malign influences that seek to use tech against us.

That is why we’ve announced this strategy, helping to deliver on our ambition to be a tech superpower by 2030, backing UK businesses and helping us solve the challenges of tomorrow through innovation and international collaboration.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

We are a top-class breeding ground for emerging tech, but being a superpower means working with our international partners to turn these nascent technologies into global industries.

Our International Tech Strategy will ensure we deepen collaboration with our allies on the technologies of tomorrow, driving growth and prosperity for the UK while strengthening our national security.

Our first tech envoy, Joe White, has helped to boost our ties with tech companies in Silicon Valley. Building on this success, the UK will expand our network of tech envoys and expertise to create the world’s most extensive tech diplomacy network. We will use this as a platform to enforce our principles, challenge authoritarian narratives and to drive international collaboration with industry. Envoys will be bring expertise from the tech sector, ensuring that they can put their lived experience of this industry into boosting the UK’s global leadership.

These aims will further be supported through our new Technology Centre of Expertise. With the first pilots running from later this year, these centres will bring together tech and digital experts from government, private sector, and academia to support countries to transform their economies in a sustainable and inclusive manner through innovation.

The UK Science and Technology Framework set out the ambition for the UK to be internationally recognised as a tech superpower by 2030. Being a tech superpower requires us to collaborate more deeply with other leading nations to tackle the urgent global challenges facing our planet through science and tech. This strategy set out the work being done to build those partnerships.

As part of the strategy, the UK will also work with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Technology to engage with the international community on how to better use technology. We will also build on the UK’s success in securing a seat on the Council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), working together with partners to increase worldwide connectivity, and provide clear leadership in the telecoms sector.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

A new partnership to increase exports of Bahamian-produced alcohol to the UK.

The British High Commission is pleased to have secured the services of Steve Boon, President of Wine and Spirts Guys https://www.winespiritguys.com, to support The Bahamas ambition to increase exports of Bahamian-produced alcohol to the UK.

Steve Boon, from New Providence, is a member of the UK’s The Worshipful Company of Distillers (the Spirits Guild) and is the youngest Bahamian to have qualified as a wine and spirit lecturer with WSET (at the age of 21). With 40 years in the wine and spirit sector, both locally and internationally, Steve Boon will use his trade knowledge, business acumen, and contacts throughout the world, to support Bahamian exporters wanting to access the UK market.

The UK and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, BCCEC, have also partnered to host an exporters’ web-seminar, on 29th March. As well as Steve Boon’s direct support, this seminar aims to educate Bahamian producers of spirits on the UK’s positive import rules and tariffs.

The British High Commissioner, Thomas Hartley, said:

I am very pleased to have secured Steve’s services. The Bahamas’ Trade Commissioner has asked for the UK’s help in opening up UK markets to Bahamian exports, and Steve’s unrivalled experience and network is a significant first step in bringing the two markets closer together.

I’ve reserved a bottle of John Watlings rum I was gifted, and will only open it when we celebrate seeing it for sale in British shops. I’m also looking forward to promoting London gin, Sottish whisky, and world-leading English sparkling wines at The Bahamas Food and Wine Festival this autumn, as well as a few others surprises this year.

Steve Boon said:

I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to be working with the British High commission, promoting Bahamian alcohol brands to the UK market. With such a diverse range of quality products, I don´t think it will be long before Tom is opening his bottle of John Watlings rum!

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

The Foreign Secretary met Israel’s Foreign Minister in London today to sign the 2030 Roadmap for Israel-UK Bilateral Relations. The 2030 Roadmap will deepen cooperation across tech, research and development, security and cyber.

In the year of Israel’s 75th anniversary, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the flourishing bilateral relationship between the UK and Israel. New multi-million-pound programmes announced in the Roadmap, including around £20m of joint funding commitments on technology and innovation, will enable both countries to remain at the forefront of the technological revolution.

Noting the need to de-escalate tensions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of upholding the historic Status Quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed key regional issues of mutual concern, including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. As Ukrainians enter their second year living under relentless and full-scale Russian bombardment, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace.

On Iran, the Foreign Ministers discussed deepening our security and defence co-operation to counter the threat posed by the regime.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, met today (21 March 2023) in London. The Ministers reiterated their shared commitment to work intensively to conclude UK-EU negotiations in respect of Gibraltar as soon as possible. A treaty would provide certainty for those living and working in Gibraltar and in neighbouring communities, and secure future prosperity for the whole region.

The Foreign Secretary said:

The UK’s commitment to Gibraltar remains as strong as ever. We continue to work side-by-side to conclude an EU treaty as soon as possible.

Throughout the negotiations we have presented proposals that maintain the careful balance of the December 2020 Political Framework and could unleash economic growth for everyone in the region.

As the UK and EU continue to exchange proposals and work constructively towards an agreement, the Ministers recalled the need to respect the balance achieved by the December 2020 Political Framework.

The Ministers, while committed to the successful conclusion of negotiations, agreed to continue preparations to ensure robust plans are in place for all eventualities, including a no-negotiated outcome.

The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed that the UK remains steadfast in its support for Gibraltar and will not agree to anything that compromises UK sovereignty.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK commends the progress that the Ethiopian Government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front have made towards implementing the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement, ending two years of conflict. We welcome the progress on disarmament, the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, and humanitarian access to Tigray.

Ensuring justice for the victims of atrocities committed during the conflict, and holding those who perpetrated these accountable, are crucial future elements of the peace process. We welcome the proposals on transitional justice brought forward by the Ethiopian Government, and the recent public consultations on this, including with civil society, and we encourage the Government to establish an inclusive and transparent process to implement these provisions.

Commissioners,

Thank you for your briefing today, and for your important work investigating and documenting the human rights violations and abuses committed by all sides during the conflict. We commend you for carrying out your work with a commitment to professionalism and impartiality. We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict and regional partners to co-operate fully with your mandate.

Now that the peace agreement is in place, how do you hope to work with the Ethiopian Government, TPLF and AU to ensure robust accountability for human rights violations and abuses?