Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Major new package of support for Ukraine’s counter-offensive announced by Grant Shapps [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 October 2023.

The Defence Secretary will today announce a new package of support for Ukraine and the signing of further air defence contracts, procured through the International Fund for Ukraine.

A new package of military support for Ukraine, worth more than £100m, will be announced by the Defence Secretary today. It will help its armed forces clear minefields, maintain its vehicles, and shore up defensive fortifications to protect critical national infrastructure.

The support package, which will be provided using money from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), will be jointly announced today by the Defence Secretary and his counterparts from the IFU partner nations at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

It comes as the final contract from the previously announced IFU package of air defence capability was signed, which will see more than £70m of capabilities provided to Ukraine – including the MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin, a platform which can track and destroy drones and protect critical national infrastructure.

The UK and Denmark launched the IFU in 2022 and the UK engages closely with Ukraine to procure capability that best meets the needs of its armed forces. Since then, five other nations have contributed to the IFU, demonstrating the unity and resolve of allies and partners in supporting Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

During my recent visit to Kyiv, I assured President Zelenskyy that the UK’s support for Ukraine and their most urgent needs is unwavering.

Today I am proud to announce that the UK, alongside our allies, is delivering on that promise with new contracts to provide Ukraine with critical air defence systems to protect civilians from Putin’s barbaric bombing campaign, and more than £100 million of new equipment pledged to give Ukrainian soldiers what they need to breach Russia’s deadly minefields.

Today, the Defence Secretary attends his first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, where ministers from member countries and Ukraine will discuss the ongoing international response to Putin’s illegal invasion.

It provides an opportunity for the Defence Secretary to raise the UK’s concerns regarding the crisis in Israel and Gaza, the developing situation regarding reported damage to undersea infrastructure between Finland and Estonia, as well as the UK’s recent deployment to Kosovo in support of NATO’s peacekeeping mission.

The announcement comes after the Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy at the European Political Community in Grenada last week. The Ukrainian President has said that air defence is Ukraine’s most critical capability need, and the Terrahawk Paladin will help deliver what Ukraine needs to protect its citizens from Putin’s indiscriminate campaign of missile strikes against civilian targets.

This latest package will also provide crucial equipment to help Ukrainian soldiers cross minefields, bridging capabilities to assist with river and trench crossings, and heavy duty plant vehicles to destroy Russian non-explosive obstacles and help build defensive positions to protect Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, said:

This new package of support is the latest in an unprecedented and sustained effort by 50 nations to give Ukraine the tools it needs to counter Russia’s aggression and recover what it has lost.

This winter, Russia will seek to undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and divide the international community, but in both cases Putin underestimates the strength and resilience of his opposition. If we stick together, and stay the course, then Russia will continue to lose, Ukraine will prevail and the rules that matter to global security will endure.

Ukraine is now the most mined country on earth, which has provided the biggest obstacle in the path of Ukraine’s counter-offensive this year and mine clearing capabilities will be essential to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in pushing forward.

Equipment from both the air defence package and mobility support package will arrive in the coming months, joining other IFU-funded equipment already in Ukraine, including around 100 uncrewed aerial systems.

The IFU uses financial contributions from international partners to procure priority military assistance for Ukraine. This will ensure the continued supply of military support – lethal and non-lethal – to Ukraine through 2023 and beyond.

To date, £785m has been raised through the IFU following contributions from the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania.

The IFU has recently expanded to include Lithuania on its Executive Panel, which is now formed by the UK and six other nations which provide oversight and assurance of the Fund, including the endorsement of capability packages.

October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54- UK Statement on Haiti [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the interim report on Haiti. Delivered by the UK at the 54th Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

Deputy High Commissioner,

We thank you for your report and appreciate the continued cooperation of the Haitian authorities. We strongly support the Haitian people’s demands for security, stability and justice. Accordingly, we welcome the recent resolution of the United Nations Security Council authorising the deployment of a multinational security support mission led by Kenya.

The widespread human rights violations such as abductions, sexual violence and murder by armed gangs outlined in this interim report are alarming. The increasing number of internally displaced persons as a result of gang violence, the vast majority of which are women and children, is a further pressing concern.

The UK stands in strong support of the vital work on human rights being carried out by the international community in Haiti.

The Haitian government must fulfil its obligation to protect its citizens: gang violence against innocent civilians must end, and those responsible for these human rights violations must be held accountable.

Deputy High Commissioner,

We would like to ask whether you see opportunities for greater collaboration between the Haitian government, national and international entities in the response to the growing internal displacement crisis.

Thank you.

October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to the stability and security of Iraq – UK Statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq.

Thank you President. Let me begin by extending the UK’s condolences to the families of all of those killed and injured in the tragic fire at Qaraqosh on the 27th of September.

I’d also like to express thanks to SRSG Plasschaert and Ms Al-Jarahi for their briefings today, and in particular to Ms Al-Jahari for highlighting the vital issues of women’s rights and meaningful participation. I’d also like to express thanks to all the staff at the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq for the important work. The positive partnership between UNAMI and the Iraqi Government, and the Iraqi people and civil society, on issues from regional stability to women’s rights and participation, is playing a vital role in its success.

The UK remains committed to supporting the Iraqi Government and the implementation of its ambitious reform agenda. In particular, we welcome the passing of the budget in June, a crucial step in delivering the Government’s priorities including on economic reform and energy diversification.

President, we share the SRSG’s concerns about the Kurdistan region, and we urge the Kurdistan Regional Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the planned elections take place on 25 February 2024 next year without further postponement. It is incumbent on all political parties to exercise unity, compromise and engage in constructive dialogue to ensure an electoral process which adheres to international standards and upholds the rights of all citizens, including women and minorities, to participate in the democratic process.

President, we also welcome Iraq’s commitment to tackling climate change, including through ending gas flaring by 2030. Iraq’s exposure to multiple climate hazards, including floods, droughts and sandstorms, climate-related epidemics, and earthquakes makes this an important shared priority. Progress here will bolster Iraq’s security and we stand ready to support.

We welcome the SRSG’s update on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property. Regarding Khor Abdullah, we would like to strongly echo the point made by the SRSG. We welcome Prime Minister Sudani’s recommitment at High Level Week to international law and to the Resolutions of this Council, and like others we would like to recall in particular the importance of SCR 833. We look forward to the resolution of our standing issues through dialogue between Iraq and the Kuwaiti government.

Finally, President, following the extension of UNITAD’s mandate last month, we are committed to ensuring that UNITAD’s legacy is preserved and that international efforts to deliver justice for Da’esh atrocities continue. Noting Iraq’s recent request, we will work closely with the Government of Iraq, the UN and this Council to improve evidence sharing arrangements in accordance with UNITAD’s Terms of Reference, as well as options for the future of UNITAD’s work.

Once again, I’d like to renew the UK’s commitment to the stability and security of Iraq and to the essential role the Mission plays in support. Thank you.

October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Overseas Territories Attorneys General Conference [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Attorneys General of the British Overseas Territories meet to enhance cooperation on a number of wide-ranging issues.

The Attorneys General of British Overseas Territories (Anguilla; the British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Montserrat; and the Turks and Caicos Islands), Attorney General and representative of the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey and Jersey, a representative from the US Department of Justice and the Solicitor General for England and Wales alongside a delegation from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office met in Montserrat on 26th and 28th September for the 2023 Overseas Territories Attorneys General conference, to discuss a range of topics relating to the rule of law and administration of justice in the Territories and to enhance our mutual cooperation.

The Hon. Sheree Jemmotte-Rodney, Attorney General for Montserrat together with Michael Tomlinson KC MP, the Solicitor General for England and Wales, chaired the conference. This gathering, the first in person conference since 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic, was an opportunity for the UK, Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies Law Officers to exchange best practice and strengthen partnerships to support the delivery of priority issues.

During the conference the delegates discussed cooperation on a number of important topics, including constitutional processes, maritime issues, recognition of same-sex partnerships/marriage, safeguarding, irregular migration, criminal justice and law enforcement. Part of the discussions included recent positive experiences with constitutional reform negotiations, noting the complexities of agreeing constitutional changes and the need to develop expertise and knowledge on this subject. The Overseas Territories welcomed the opportunity for further engagement with the UK Government in this area.

The delegates welcomed the crucial role played by the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies in the implementation and enforcement of UK sanctions. Together, we are ensuring that sanctions legislation is operating effectively in our jurisdictions. Delegates agreed to exchange best practice and recommended the creation of a mechanism to facilitate an improved information sharing forum to help build capability and capacity.

The delegates shared experiences on legislation permitting same-sex partnerships and noted the steps taken by most Territories on this topic. We continue to welcome and encourage engagement and dialogue with all of the Overseas Territories to ensure that legislation, including for same-sex couples, is compliant with our human rights obligations.

Discussions on maritime issues included sharing information on delimitation, search and rescue and security. The delegates welcomed ongoing cooperation with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, including on conventions.

The delegates discussed the key issue of safeguarding, including the risk posed by technology, and legislative protections for vulnerable teens at risk of sexual grooming, and exploitation by adults in a position of trust. Delegates agreed to continue cooperation in this area to ensure the protection of those that are vulnerable in our societies. Furthermore, the discussion on criminal justice and law enforcement covered disclosure, legislation to protect the vulnerable, including sexual offences and domestic violence.

The delegates shared their common challenges with irregular migration, including unlawful entry and repatriation costs.

The UK Government and the Overseas Territories welcomed the opportunity to come together at the 2023 Attorneys General Conference. Delegates reiterated their joint commitment to cooperating to uphold the rule of law.

October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : More funding to schools, hospitals and public buildings to lower energy use and save on bills, and cut carbon emissions [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 10 October 2023.

Public sector organisations can now bid for a share of £230 million to help make low-carbon energy upgrades to their buildings.
- £230 million made available to schools, hospitals, leisure centres and other public buildings in latest round of funding
- Grants will allow schools, hospitals and other public buildings to install low-carbon heating and energy efficiency measures
- More than 1,000 buildings have already received upgrades helping them save thousands of pounds on energy bills
More schools, hospitals and other public buildings will be able to reduce energy use, save on bills and cut carbon emissions for the long-term through the latest round of funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

From today (Tuesday 10 October), public sector organisations can bid for a cut of £230 million of government funding to support significant low-carbon energy upgrades to their buildings, ranging from heat pumps and solar panels, to new energy efficiency measures such as insulation and low-energy lighting.

The opening of the latest bidding process coincides with the 3-year anniversary of the scheme, which has so far allocated more than £2 billion to almost 1,000 public sector organisations across England, helping them reduce energy bills and carbon emissions in the long term.

Today’s funding marks another step in the government’s pragmatic and proportionate approach to reaching net zero, by scaling-up energy efficiency of buildings across the country and supporting the switch to more low-carbon heating.

The commitment follows significant progress the UK has already made towards reaching net zero – cutting all emissions by 48% between 1990 and 2021, which is faster than any other G7 country. Decarbonising the public sector with low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures is also expected to save the public sector an estimated £650 million per year on average to 2037.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

We are a world-leader when it comes to reducing carbon emissions – and for us to reach our goal of net zero by 2050, we want to help public bodies like schools and hospitals to do their bit.

We’ve made fantastic progress so far, helping more than 1,000 schools, hospitals and leisure centres. Today’s funding will now help even more organisations across England bring their bills down, while also cutting their emissions.

The funding, announced today, has been made available through Phase 3c of the scheme, with organisations able to spend the money allocated in the 2024 to 2025 financial year – on top of further funding for 2025 to 2026.

Organisations that have benefited from a share of more than £2 billion under the scheme over the past 3 years include:
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust have saved £54,500 on their annual energy bill thanks to a new air source heat pump at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby and new solar panels and pipework insulation
- Staffordshire County Council have installed air source heat pumps and solar panels at the new Kingston Centre in Stafford. The school will also receive new energy efficiency measures, including a building energy management system, LED lighting, double glazing, roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, and pipework insulation. This is due to save them £79,700 on their annual energy bill
- Upper Norwood Library and the Waterloo Action community centre in the London Borough of Lambeth will see their energy efficiency improved – saving the council £5,200 on their annual energy bill. Air source heat pumps were installed at both sites, alongside LED lighting, double glazing, insulation and building energy management systems. Solar panels have also been installed at the Waterloo Action community centre
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme aims to support the government’s commitment to reduce emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037, compared to 2017 levels, as first set out in the 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy.

Ian Rodger, Director of Programmes at Salix, said:

Salix is delighted to be delivering the next phase of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to support public sector bodies in their net zero transformation journey. The scheme is empowering organisations across England to make significant reductions in their carbon footprint from heating public buildings.

The huge enthusiasm for the scheme shows how much public sector bodies care about their carbon emissions and Salix is proud to be able to support them with finance and technical support to achieve their ambitions.

To apply for funding public sector bodies should visit: Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme: Phase 3.
October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Library book loan payment scheme updated to benefit authors [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 October 2023.

Library book loan payment scheme updated to benefit authors enabling authors to earn up to £6,600 from loans of their books from libraries.
- Scheme enables authors to earn up to £6,600 from loans of their books from libraries
- Payments to authors for library loans to be made fairer through use of improved data
- Estates of deceased authors will be able to receive payments for their work more easily
More authors are set to benefit from improvements to the Scheme that pays them when their books are loaned from public libraries in the UK.

The Public Lending Right (PLR) Scheme provides authors with an income of up to £6,600 a year from loans of their books from public libraries in the UK and pays out more than £6 million annually. The rate paid to authors for each loan is calculated by dividing the total money available by the estimated total annual number of loans in public libraries.

The PLR Scheme currently specifies that the number of loans is to be determined by means of a sample, with data from 30 councils used to assist payment calculations. These new changes will see the British Library move towards collecting comprehensive loans data from all library authorities in the UK to ensure authors are getting their fair share.

This means that the more of their books are loaned out by public libraries, the more income an author will receive through the Scheme.

According to the latest public statistics, Richard Osman’s novel The Thursday Murder Club was the most borrowed book from libraries in 2021/22 while authors including Roald Dahl, Daisy Meadows and Lee Child were among the top ten most popular.

The Scheme will also be changed to simplify the process for those who have inherited rights to a book from a deceased author, removing unnecessary, bureaucratic processes like the requirement to involve legal professionals.

Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

Libraries are an invaluable resource for people of all ages and backgrounds across the country, opening up access to a wealth of enlightenment and enjoyment.

It is only right that authors receive fair payment when their work is loaned from libraries. These changes to the scheme will ensure that it is working as fairly and effectively as possible.

Phil Spence OBE, Chief Operating Officer of the British Library, said:

We welcome these changes to the Public Lending Right Scheme – this allows for more information to be gathered on loans data, which will enable us to better serve the authors and creators whose works are loaned from public libraries, and the readers that borrow from them too.

The British Library receives funding from DCMS to run the Public Lending Right Scheme. Payments are made annually to eligible authors who register their work. Authors residing in the UK or European Economic Area are eligible to apply.

Changes to the Public Lending Right Scheme, which was established in 1982, will come into force on 31 October 2023.
October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The NHS will go bankrupt if it doesn’t reform, warns Labour [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Labour Party on 11 October 2023.

The NHS faces bankruptcy unless it is reformed, Wes Streeting will warn today.

The Shadow Health Secretary will argue that fundamental reform of the health service is needed if it is to survive another 75 years. He will say that reform will play a bigger part than investment in rebuilding the NHS. Labour plans for reform will secure the future and sustainability of the NHS, providing better service for patients and better value for taxpayers.

The IFS estimates that half of all public sector workers are set to be employed by the NHS by 2036. The proportion of total departmental spending going on health is 42% this year and is forecast to rise.

Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting will say:

“Be in no doubt about the scale of the challenge. In the longer term, the challenge of rising chronic disease, combined with our ageing society, threatens to bankrupt the NHS.

“Pouring ever-increasing amounts of money into a system that isn’t working is wasteful in every sense.

“A waste of money we don’t have. A waste of time that is running out. A waste of potential, because the NHS has so much going for it.”

Pledging that Labour’s reform agenda will provide a better service for patients while securing better value for taxpayers’ money, Streeting will promise to “turn the NHS on its head”:

“When I look at leading health systems across the world, the fundamental problem with the NHS becomes obvious: we have an NHS that gets to people too late.

“Labour’s reform agenda will turn the NHS on its head. From a service focused on hospitals to one providing more care in the community, analogue to digital, sickness to prevention.

“A neighbourhood health service as much as a National Health Service, pioneering cutting edge treatment and technology, preventing ill-health, not just treating it. Better for patients, less expensive for taxpayers.

“Achieving our mission will take time, investment, and reform. Reform is even more important than investment.”

He will also set out Labour’s plans to tackle the immediate waiting lists crisis facing the NHS. Today, 7.7 million patients are waiting for treatment, 390,000 of whom have been waiting for more than a year. 1.6 million patients are waiting for tests and scans, with the 6 week waiting times target not hit since 2017. Labour has pledged to:
- Provide 2 million more operations, scans, and appointments a year on evenings and weekends, with £1.1 billion paid to staff in overtime
- Double the number of NHS scanners, buying AI-scanners which work 35% faster, to diagnose patients earlier
- Deliver 700,000 urgent dentistry appointments, recruit more dentist to areas most in need, introduce supervised toothbrushing for 3-5 year-olds, and reform of the NHS dental contract.
The plans will cost £1.6 billion in total and be paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, which allows people living and working in Britain to pay their taxes overseas.

On Labour’s plan to cut waiting lists, Streeting will say:

“A Labour government will take immediate action to cut waiting lists.

“We’ll provide an extra £1.1bn to help the NHS beat the backlog, with extra clinics at evenings and weekends – providing two million more appointments each year.

“Faster treatment for patients. Extra pay for staff. The first step to cut waiting lists and beat the Tory backlog.

“Paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, because patients need treatment more than the wealthiest need a tax break.”
October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Labour to unveil “real world” primary maths teaching to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Labour Party on 11 October 2023.

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will today unveil a landmark new plan to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy by boosting early intervention and “real world” maths teaching at primary school and a new expert-led review to as part of its plan to drive “high and rising standards in education”.

Phillipson will set out Labour’s plan, which will set children up with basic, practical maths skills to help them achieve at secondary school, at work and throughout life to the party’s conference on Wednesday.

Labour’s maths plan will centre on upskilling primary school teachers who are not maths teachers with the right skills and knowledge to deliver high class maths teaching through the Teacher Training Entitlement, paid for through Labour’s plans to end private schools’ tax breaks.

Labour said it would also task its Curriculum Review with bringing maths to life and directing teachers to show children how numeracy is used in the world around them, such as through household budgeting, currency exchange rates when going on holiday, sports league tables and cookery recipes.

The party said this would include bringing elements of financial literacy into maths teaching, such as using the concept of Individual Savings Accounts to teach about percentages.

Labour’s focus will be on driving improvements at primary level, so they will reform Rishi Sunak’s Maths to 18 working group, so it focuses on primary maths as a first priority and investigates the maths equivalent to phonics.

Labour will also work with nurseries to develop trained ‘Maths Champions’ who can support early learning in childcare settings, ensuring children are set up for school. Independent evaluations show ‘Maths Champions’ can boost learning with three months’ extra progress.

The party said its plan would aim to tackle the growing gaps in early maths attainment that lead to falling engagement and to children falling further behind as they grow up. The party cited evidence showing that that one in four children was already behind expected levels by age five.

Labour pointed to the achievements of the work started by the last Labour government on phonics, laying the basis for a policy which has improved the reading ability of children throughout their time at school, as a template for its plans for primary maths.

Phillipson’s intervention would also seek to target deep-rooted problems with childhood numeracy that persist into adulthood, such as the inability to analyse basic graphs and calculate the value of supermarket offers.

An OECD estimate from 2016 found that nine million working-age adults in England have low basic literacy or numeracy skills with five million having low skills in both areas, while the lack of basic numeracy skills costs the economy £25bn a year.

Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, is expected to say:

“In every part of our system, in every year of children’s lives, in every corner of our country, we will be the party of high and rising standards.

“Maths is the language of the universe, the underpinning of our collective understanding. It cannot be left till the last years of school.

“It’s why I’m proud to tell you today, that we’ll tackle our chronic cultural problem with maths, by making sure it’s better taught at six, never mind sixteen.

“I am determined that Labour will bring maths to life for the next generation. I want the numeracy all our young people need – for life and for work, to earn and to spend, to understand and to challenge. I want that to be part of their learning right from the start.

October 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement on Central African Republic [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Central African Republic. Delivered by the UK at the 54th HRC.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the increase in the number of human rights violations and abuses in the Central African Republic. Reports have highlighted that Central African Armed Forces and Wagner Group forces are now responsible for the majority of these – and that when operating independently in CAR, Wagner mercenaries have engaged in a disproportionately higher level of violence targeting civilians.

The UK calls for a revitalisation of the peace process in the wake of the increased reports of human rights violations and abuses. The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict and crisis in the Central African Republic, and we call on the Central African authorities, to build on political progress and ensure meaningful engagement with all political actors in country.

We are also deeply concerned that the conflict in Sudan and the global economic crisis has further compounded the situation in CAR, increasing the price of basic commodities and driving levels of food insecurity so that half the country is experiencing severe food insecurity and 56% of the country is in need of humanitarian assistance. A rapid solution to CAR’s crisis is needed to build resilience and coping mechanisms for the population who are suffering from this sustained, long-term damage.

Mr Agbetse

Thank you for your report and presentation. We would welcome your views on what steps CAR and the international community should take to support the people of CAR and those fleeing violence in Sudan.

Thank you.

October 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK enhances security and climate cooperation with Sri Lanka [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is visiting Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation on climate change, regional security and human rights.
- Minister for the Indo-Pacific to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka on climate change, regional security and human rights.
- Anne-Marie Trevelyan will reaffirm UK support for maritime security, attending the Indian Ocean Rim Association Ministerial meeting in Sri Lanka.
- UK and Sri Lanka celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
To deepen UK-Sri Lanka cooperation on environmental protection, regional security and human rights, UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan will arrive in Sri Lanka today (10 October). The three-day visit to Colombo and Jaffna marks the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka and is the Minister’s first visit to Sri Lanka in her role.

Minister Trevelyan will emphasise the UK’s long-term commitment to the region at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial meeting hosted by Sri Lanka. With around 60% of global shipping passing through the Indo-Pacific, ensuring maritime security is of critical importance to the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK’s economy. The UK is increasing its long-term presence in the Indo-Pacific by permanently deploying two Offshore Patrol Vessels to tackle maritime security challenges in the region alongside partners and allies.

Minister Trevelyan will also seek to strengthen IORA work on climate mitigation. Through collaborative programmes that underpin biodiversity objectives and the Glasgow Pact (agreed at COP26), the Minister will highlight UK support for Sri Lanka’s environmental work. This builds on the UK’s strong track record as the first major economy to legislate for Net Zero, cutting carbon emissions faster than any other G7 country. Sri Lanka are also prioritising green growth, with their own commitment to net zero by 2050.

Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

” As the UK celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, we’re working together on climate action, peacebuilding and human rights.

“Through key regional forums like IORA, we can accelerate progress towards enhanced security for the Indian Ocean region, collaborate on shared climate goals and on boosting maritime security.”

While in Colombo, Minister Trevelyan will meet members of the Sri Lankan government including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. Discussions will focus on climate finance and green growth, justice reform and opportunities to enhance UK-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties.

Travelling to Jaffna, in the Northern Province, Trevelyan will meet with Governor P. S. M Charles, and regional parliamentarians. She will then visit a land mine clearance site in Muhamalai to see UK-funded demining and sustainable resettlement work. Supported by the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), charity The HALO Trust has been working to clear unexploded ordnances in Muhamalai since 2012, with the Sri Lankan government anticipating that the country will be landmine-free by 2027. UK funding to the United Nations Development Programme has also supported the resettlement of displaced communities on land cleared of mines, helping provide community infrastructure and build sustainable livelihoods.

To engage UK businesses in Sri Lanka on bilateral trade discussions, Minister Trevelyan will meet civil society and business leaders from across Sri-Lanka at a breakfast meeting.

Following her engagements in Sri Lanka, the Minister will travel to India as part of a wider trip to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
October 10, 2023