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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Attainment in maths and writing SATs increases compared to 2022 [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Attainment in maths and writing SATs increases compared to 2022 [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 11 July 2023.

    Key Stage 2 results show an improvement in the majority of subjects as pupils continue to catch up from the pandemic.

    Key Stage 2 results published today show that more pupils have met the expected standard in this year’s mathematics and writing SATs assessments compared to last year.

    Due to the pandemic, it was expected that there would be lower levels of attainment compared to 2019, while children caught up on lost learning. Today’s results showed that 73% of pupils met the expected standard in maths – up from 71% in 2022, moving one step closer to the Government’s vision to ensure more young people have the necessary skills in maths to succeed.

    Overall, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined – the same as the result in 2022 but a decrease from 2019 which was 65%. Grammar, punctuation and spelling results also remain unchanged from 2022.

    There was a 2% point increase in attainment in writing which is now at 71% and whilst those meeting the expected standard in reading is down from 2022 from 75% to 73%, it remains higher compared to 2016 (66%) and is in line with pre-pandemic standards (73% met the expected standard in reading in 2019). Additionally, science teacher assessments showed 80% of pupils met the expected standard, up from 79% last year.

    Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb said:

    We know that pupils have had their education disrupted due to the pandemic which is why following on from our success in the Progress International Reading Literacy Study, it is encouraging to see attainment levels improving in some key subjects.

    Our National Tutoring Programme has been crucial in helping those pupils most in need of support and our reforms – including the focus on phonics  – are helping to ensure more children leave primary school with a secure grasp of reading and writing.

    Literacy and numeracy are the cornerstones of a world-class education and that is why we have invested £60m in our English Hubs programme and £100m in our Maths Hubs programme to build children’s literacy, speaking and numeracy skills.

    These results help teachers and parents understand how pupils are doing in English, maths and science, allowing them to pinpoint where extra help might be needed. The test results also help inform a pupil’s transition to secondary school by ensuring that they receive the right support once they start.

    This is the second year of Key Stage 2 attainment data since the beginning of the pandemic, as there were no SATs tests taken in 2020 and 2021. In order to help pupils catch up on learning, extra help was provided to schools through multi-year recovery programmes such as the National Tutoring Programme, which will benefit pupils’ learning for years to come.

    Earlier this year, it was announced that England came fourth of the 43 countries that tested children of the same age in the 2021 Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS). This success in PIRLS follows the Department’s long-term commitment to providing every pupil with high-quality phonics teaching.

    The increased attainment in maths and writing from last year, coupled with standards in reading reflecting pre-pandemic levels, indicate the progress that has been made in recovering from the pandemic.

    Since 2018, the Department has invested £60 million in the English Hubs programme, designed to develop expertise in teaching reading in primary schools. Analysis published this year shows that partner schools supported by the English Hubs Programme outperformed other schools by around 7 percentage points in their Phonics Screening Checks.

    The Department’s national network of 40 Maths Hubs continues to help every school in the country improve the quality of their teaching based on best practice from East Asia.

    The tests are developed by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) over three years. The STA uses a range of rigorous and established processes to ensure the tests are appropriate and fair, including expert reviews by teachers, curriculum and inclusion specialists and other education professionals. All questions in this year’s papers were trialled with around 1,000 pupils.

    Given the interest in this year’s reading test, the Minister asked the STA for their assessment of the relative difficulty of the test. Based on evidence gathered throughout the test development process, STA confirmed that the content of this year’s test was at the appropriate level of difficulty. The standards maintenance process demonstrated the test was within the range of difficulty of the reading tests since 2016.

    In recognition of the educational importance of reading for students, the Department for Education will also be launching a new and updated Reading Framework. This is an update to existing guidance published July 2021, which previously only related to the teaching of reading in Reception and Year 1.

    This updated guidance has been expanded from reception and Key Stage 1 to cover Key Stage 2 and 3 to help schools improve reading for all pupils so they leave primary able to engage confidently and passionately with reading in all subjects at secondary school.  It provides guidance to teachers in Key Stage 2 and secondary schools on how to support those pupils who still need help with reading.  It also outlines how vitally important talk is to reading and how teachers can support all pupils to express their ideas confidently.

    In addition to this framework, the Government will also be launching a review of good practice in the teaching of writing to look at how best to improve attainment in writing. This will be a valuable resource for schools to support best practice in teaching writing and will inform further research and guidance.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC 53 – Statement on public acts of religious hatred [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC 53 – Statement on public acts of religious hatred [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2023.

    UK Statement during urgent debate on “the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred” at the UN Human Rights Council.

    Thank you Mr President.

    Today’s urgent debate has been called following certain recent events in Europe, and, with regard to these, let me be crystal clear that the burning of the Quran is deeply insulting and completely inappropriate.

    We recognise the deep hurt that has been felt by Muslims the world over including by so many British Muslims. And we recognise that we must all, collectively and individually, work harder to build mutual understanding, combat intolerance and hatred based on religion or belief, and address potential areas of tension between members of different communities.

    Mr President, we agreed to today’s debate, precisely because we recognise how important – and sensitive – these issues are. And because we hoped that it would serve to build greater understanding between states and this Council.

    In combatting religious intolerance, we must always be mindful that other rights must also be respected. The exercise of the right to freedom of expression is not unlimited.  But it is something we hold dear, and which can only be limited under very clear, narrowly defined parameters under international human rights law. HRC resolution 16/18 managed to navigate these difficult issues through a consensual and action-orientated framework. We believe that this resolution continues to offer the best way of addressing religious intolerance and stigmatisation in this Council.

    Regrettably, Mr President, some members of this Council who called for today’s debate have, so far at least, not shown the same willingness to debate a certain other largescale, and in this case, state-sponsored manifestation of religious intolerance affecting a significant Muslim community. We hope that this will change in the future.

    We thank our OIC colleagues for their willingness to engage over recent days on the resolution relating to today’s debate. We hope to safeguard the precious consensus that this Council has maintained over the past decade on combatting intolerance and hatred based on religion or belief.

    Thank you Mr President.

  • PRESS RELEASE : There is no rational or moral argument for Russia to veto the resolution on Syria cross-border aid – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : There is no rational or moral argument for Russia to veto the resolution on Syria cross-border aid – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2023.

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria cross-border aid.

    Colleagues, I join others in thanking Brazil and Switzerland for their work as penholders.

    The Secretary-General was absolutely clear: he asked this Council to give humanitarians a 12 month mandate to deliver aid to 4.1 million people who desperately need it. The humanitarian partners who brief us regularly set out the case for this again, and again. Countries in the region too, who are directly impacted by the conflict in Syria, called for a 12 month mandate. And the partners I met on the ground, at the Syrian border, were clear: a 12 month mandate was a minimum lifeline, all the more so after February’s earthquakes.

    The pens, and the majority of this Council, worked in good faith to try to deliver this.

    Including an eleventh-hour compromise to try to find common ground.

    But Russia has yet again used their veto to restrict life-saving humanitarian access to 4 million Syrian people. There is no rational or moral argument to veto this resolution.

    Humanitarian access should respond to humanitarian need and should not be taken hostage by Russia.

    Since 2014, Russia has chipped away at this humanitarian lifeline, year after year. Today, they have continued their efforts to restrict access to people in need.

    As the UK, we will continue, as we have done every year, to put our humanitarian responsibility above politics.

    We call on Russia to do the same.

    We need to put the needs of the Syrian people first.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands [July 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 July 2023.

    The Prime Minister met Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

    He thanked Prime Minister Rutte for his years of service and said his expertise and friendship would be greatly missed by the UK and others when he eventually leaves office.

    The leaders reaffirmed their staunch commitment to upholding security in our region. This includes ensuring NATO is fully equipped to take on the challenges of the future.

    The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Rutte discussed the importance of providing Ukraine with the kind of long-term defensive capabilities they need to win this war and secure a lasting peace. They praised the progress that has been made through the new international coalition, established by the UK, the Netherlands, and others, to provide Ukraine with combat air capability.

    On tackling illegal migration, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Rutte welcomed the strong cooperation between our countries so far. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of making use of international forums such as the European Political Community to make multilateral progress on this issue.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – Joint Statement on human rights situation in Iran [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – Joint Statement on human rights situation in Iran [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2023.

    Joint statement on oral update by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. Delivered by Ambassador Shara Duncan Villalobos of Costa Rica.

    Mr. President,

    I deliver this statement on behalf of 54 Member States.

    We would like to thank the Fact-Finding Mission for their update.

    We are particularly concerned by the reports of the ongoing surge of executions in Iran and the authorities’ use of the death penalty as a tool to chill dissent.

    Iran has been carrying out death sentences at an alarming pace, with over 300 executions reported since the beginning of 2023, and 582 last year compared to 333 in 2021.

    Many of these executions are for alleged offences that do not meet the threshold of “the most serious crimes” under the ICCPR, including drug offenses. Seven were in connection to the protest movement following the death in custody of Jina Mahsa Amini.

    We strongly condemn the execution of three alleged child offenders in 2022 and are deeply concerned that dozens of alleged child offenders remain on death row, at risk of execution.

    Persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities are being executed at disproportionately high rates; one-third of those executed in 2022 belonged to the Baloch minority.

    We remain deeply troubled by reports that death sentences are often imposed following unfair trials procedures, without due process, and based on forced confessions obtained through torture and inhuman treatment.

    We urge Iran to immediately cease its violations, respect human dignity and cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms. We note calls by the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Procedures for Iran to “establish an immediate moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty”.

    Thank you.

    Joint Statement by the Republic of Costa Rica on behalf of 54 countries:

    Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK National Statement – OPCW 103rd Executive Council [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK National Statement – OPCW 103rd Executive Council [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2023.

    Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Joanna Roper, at the 103rd Executive Council.

    As we gather here for the first Executive Council since the five year Review Conference, let me acknowledge all the efforts of so many who worked so hard to seek consensus and identify the important issues that we will continue to discuss this week. My thanks, too, to the Director General and his staff, and to Ambassador Fatu as he takes up the position of Chair of the Executive Council.

    Mr Chair, distinguished delegates, the United Nations Secretary-General told us in his video statement at the Review Conference in May that the Chemical Weapons Convention has helped create a safer world for us all. Yet, with chemical weapons attacks taking place in recent times, each use threatens to reverse our hard-won gains. He added that “in the name of the victims of these attacks — and as a deterrent to future chemical warfare — those responsible for any use must be identified and held accountable for their crimes.” The United Kingdom wholeheartedly agrees. The work of the OPCW is just as important as ever.

    Mr Chair, meticulous investigations have documented repeated uses of chemical weapons by the Assad regime, years after Syria claimed to have destroyed all its stockpiles. Denials and disinformation from the Assad regime and its Russian backers cannot disguise Syria’s failure to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat or to fulfil its wider commitments under the Convention. Without meaningful progress from Syria, its chemical weapons programme will continue to pose a threat to international security.

    Mr Chair, five years ago this week, Dawn Sturgess tragically died in the United Kingdom after exposure to a Russian novichok nerve agent. This was a clear criminal act. Alexey Navalny was poisoned with a novichok nerve agent in Russia two years later.

    Given Russia’s track record of chemical weapons use, there has long been concern that it could use chemical weapons in its unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Any use of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine would have severe consequences. We recall the Chemical Weapons Convention’s prohibition on the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare. The United Kingdom supports Ukraine’s efforts to protect itself against the threat of chemical weapons and to investigate possible use, noting the options set out in the Convention and in decisions of the policy-making organs.

    Mr Chair, at the recent Review Conference, the vast majority of states parties demonstrated their continued commitment to a positive future agenda for the OPCW, and their confidence in the Technical Secretariat.

    Organisational governance issues include geographic representation, gender equality and other forms of diversity, tenure policy and the budget, as well as the opportunities presented by the new ChemTech Centre. The United Kingdom looks forward to further discussion on these issues.

    Finally, the United Kingdom congratulates the United States and the Technical Secretariat for completing the destruction of all US chemical weapon stockpiles. This is an important milestone, but not the end. The work of the OPCW is more important than ever. The United Kingdom remains committed to working with our partners to implement the Convention and move closer to our shared objective of a world free from chemical weapons.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New jobs “passport” for injured or disabled veterans [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New jobs “passport” for injured or disabled veterans [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 11 July 2023.

    New support scheme to help smooth the way for injured or disabled ex-military to return to work.

    • Adjustments Passports provide support for those left with disabilities after serving, boosting their job prospects by removing barriers to starting and progressing in work
    • Hundreds of Armed Forces service leavers’ set to benefit, unlocking a pool of talent for employers and businesses while helping to grow the economy

    New Adjustments Passports will support hundreds of sick and disabled Armed Forces leavers’ to start and stay in work, delivering on a key Government priority to remove barriers to the labour market and grow the economy.

    The scheme, announced by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Defence today [Tuesday 11 July], will help those leaving service with an injury, disability or health condition move more smoothly into employment.

    The passport provides a transferable record of any workplace adjustments the service leaver may need, such as changes to working hours or specialist equipment, making it easier for them to transition into work, progress and move between jobs.

    Crucially, with this new document all of this can now be done without the need for reassessment, which can often be a barrier to disabled people and those with health conditions staying in work.

    Currently, service leavers’ can receive a copy of the passport and guidance via the Careers Transition Partnership armed services exit process. The passport will be available for download on GOV.UK by the end of the week.

    Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

    We know that for people who require workplace adjustments, receiving the right support at the right time can be difficult, especially for service leavers’ starting a civilian job for the first time.

    I am thrilled that the Adjustments Passport will address this difficulty, giving service leavers’ the confidence that their needs will be met, and removing the need for multiple assessments.

    Sustained, rewarding employment boosts wellbeing, and I am proud that we will be supporting people who have served our country to transition back to civilian life and start, stay and succeed in work.

    Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison MP, said:

    It’s our duty to support people whilst they transition into civilian life. The service leavers’ Adjustments Passport will help those that need workplace adjustments by simplifying the process and enabling potential employers to provide the right support.

    Ex-service personnel bring a wealth of skills and experience to the workplace which is why they are in demand. This Adjustments Passport is another step in realising their full potential at work.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said:

    Stable, long-term employment is key to veterans’ success after they leave service. That is why this Government is introducing a new Adjustments Passport, which will remove unnecessary bureaucracy, making it easier for sick or disabled veterans to get back into work.

    It is just the latest example of how colleagues across government are making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.

    The Passport will benefit employers as well as service leavers’ with big employers already recognising the potential of hiring from this group.

    Tesco Group Chief Product Officer and Executive Sponsor of the Armed Forces Network, Ashwin Prasad, said:

    We’re proud of our Gold Covenant Award status, which recognises our work to support veterans’ – thousands of whom we’re delighted to call Tesco colleagues.

    We are committed to working with DWP to build upon our Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award and we’ll continue to support those leaving the Armed Forces as they re-enter civilian work life – offering them a number of adjustments to make the transition as smooth as possible.

    The Passport will provide clear, helpful advice on the various types of funding and support which may be available to support employers with recruitment and retention.

    It has been developed learning from Health Adjustments Passport piloted for Universities, and from closely working with Armed Services stakeholders – testing and shaping the document to suit their needs.

    As all of the information about their workplace needs will be recorded on the passport, it removes the need for a service leaver to undergo an Access to Work assessment, helping the service leaver to receive in-work support more quickly.

    The Adjustments Passport is available to all Armed Forces service leavers’ on a voluntary basis, with service leavers choosing to take up the offer if they feel it would benefit them. It can be accessed via the Careers Transition Partnership or GOV.UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement from the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps and US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement from the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps and US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on 11 July 2023.

    Joint UK-US statement on Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum that encouraged philanthropists and financiers to increase support for emerging markets and developing countries in tackling the climate crisis.

    In a gathering at Windsor Castle, President Biden and His Majesty King Charles III heard from leading philanthropists and financiers who are helping to catalyze finance to support emerging markets and developing countries in tackling the climate crisis. The gathering followed the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum, convened by the UK Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, and inspired by the work of His Majesty the King.

    This gathering builds on longstanding UK-US efforts to turbocharge the net zero, resilient transition already underway in developing and emerging economies on the road to COP28. The Forum brought together key players to identify how we can go further faster to mobilize the private investment needed to expand clean and renewable energy across the globe, reduce potent non-CO2 emissions, halt deforestation and restore forests, and build resilience to a changing climate.

    Recognizing the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, the gathering emphasized the importance of partnership across governments, philanthropies, and investors – given that no single actor can mobilize finance at the scale required by acting alone. The scale of this transition requires trillions in private investment in addition to the public funds we are spending. It is also one of the biggest investment opportunities in history. Private sector financial institutions and philanthropists announced a range of new investment platforms and initiatives during the event that demonstrated their commitment to concrete actions to finance efforts in Africa, Asia and Latin America. These efforts will help reduce emissions and boost climate resilience – while generating jobs in local communities and growing their economy.

    Building on this important event, COP28 in the United Arab Emirates will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum during the World Leaders Climate Action Summit. The Forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for collaboration, and acceleration.

    Key announcements

    Key announcements included:

    Builders Vision, Mitsui & Co. and Renewable Resources Group Partnership will identify over $1 billion of Nature-Based Solutions Projects in Emerging Markets through a new venture they are pursuing to address impacts of climate change across critical supply chains in agriculture, natural resources development, and energy. The firms seek to cooperate on activities globally where nature-based solutions – such as regenerative farming, agroforestry, and sustainable water management – can be used alongside best-in-class technology solutions and local community expertise to develop products and systems that reduce negative environmental impacts and create sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes. These firms will identify at least $1 billion of initial project opportunities in emerging markets where investors and corporations can deliver on carbon neutrality and sustainability pledges via direct investment and supply chain participation. Potential initial investment projects span highly biodiverse and at-risk climate regions, including areas of Central and South America, the Middle East and North Africa with ambition to expand to sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia over time. Cooperation and collaboration with multi-national corporations, governments, family farmers, and others is welcomed to support these opportunities.

    Builders Vision is also committing $100 million in oceans-related investments and grants in emerging markets focused on blue carbon ecosystem conservation, oceans carbon dioxide removal, shipping decarbonization and advancing wind energy.

    LeapFrog Investments, an impact investment firm operating in emerging markets, has committed to investing $500 million in companies that are addressing climate change in Africa and Asia. Their aim is to provide green tools and technologies to 50 million low-income people, enabling them to improve their lives and livelihoods. This investment will focus on supporting companies in the built environment, energy, mobility, and food sectors, which are key areas for a green transition. By 2030, overall investments in these 4 sectors alone could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially and could create an estimated 90 million new jobs in developing countries.

    The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is launching a $500 million Coalition for African Entrepreneurs, to catalyse a further 100,000 young African entrepreneurs and small businesses, focusing particularly on fragile states, women entrepreneurs, and green entrepreneurship. The Foundation has, since 2015, connected over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed nearly $100 million in direct funding to 18,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Coalition is open to development agencies, the global private sector, philanthropic organisations, and governments to create meaningful change and empower Africa’s next generation. Creating a green entrepreneurial revolution is fundamental to the Coalition, as we embed sustainable practices and solutions across the next generation.

    The Sustainable Market Initiative (SMI) has announced its Terra Carta Accelerator Fund with a target of £100 million. The initial focus of the Accelerator Fund will be to bring natural capital projects, with climate co-benefits, to investability and scale with a focus on emerging and developing markets.  It also aims to pilot Nature and climate-aligned supply chain transitions across industries globally.  The Accelerator Fund builds on a challenge from His Majesty King Charles III to ensure the private sector is helping to scale a minimum of 5 land-based and 5 marine-based projects a year to 2030 as a significant contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework including the effective conservation and management of at least 30% of the world’s land, coastal areas and oceans in addition to the restoration of 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Financial Services Task Force have committed over $8.9 trillion to support the transition to net zero by 2030 (or sooner) and have already provided and mobilized over $2.5 trillion in capital as part of those commitments since 2020 to 2021.

    Forrest Group (Fortescue, Minderoo Foundation and Tattarang) will pursue a unique portfolio of blended philanthropic, private and public finance with 7 priority actions to continue the scale-up of its green metals and green businesses, including:

    (1) embarking on a new project of work with the Green Hydrogen Standard 2.0 at COP28 to ensure standards are set in a way that helps emerging economies thrive while also partnering with leading African universities to develop the skills required to enable the hydrogen industry in Africa
    (2) developing an ethical and secure supply chain for critical clean technologies with practical initiatives such as transforming an existing, surplus geothermal energy source to generate green hydrogen in Kenya; and
    (3) building an estimated $20 billion in renewable energy projects across the world, including in Africa, Australia, Europe and Latin America. Projects are expected to be financed in the rapidly developing green, structured finance global capital markets.

    This is in addition to recent pledges and initiatives from Forum participants showcasing climate leadership:

    Boston Consulting Group (BCG) previously announced that it expects to invest $2 billion in the next decade to reach their “Net Zero by 2030” commitment and to provide consulting support to society and organizations in addressing critical climate and sustainability efforts across a broad range of partnerships including COPs, the First Mover Coalition, and many others. They supported the initial set up of the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) design process and are excited about its potential. While important design issues remain to ensure high-quality credits and clear recognition of companies’ contributions, they are optimistic these issues can be successfully addressed, and in that case, expect to become a founding partner in the ETA community and encourage others to participate as well.

    BlackRock: At COP26, BlackRock announced the final close of the Climate Finance Partnership (CFP), a blended finance investment vehicle that seeks to accelerate the flow of capital into climate-related investments in emerging markets. So far in 2023, CFP has committed approximately $190 million into renewables investments in Kenya and the Philippines, and has approved the deployment of a further c. $90 million into 2 additional investments, both in emerging economies in South East Asia, which will be announced (subject to certain conditions) in due course. Following these capital commitments, CFP would have around $390 million of capital for deployment into future emerging markets climate technology investment opportunities.

    Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, will build on its long-term commitment to move the world beyond coal and keep the 1.5°C global warming target within reach. To address the specific challenges involved in accelerating a successful managed phaseout of coal power in emerging economies, Bloomberg Philanthropies will expand its support for Just Energy Transition Partnerships in countries including Indonesia and Vietnam, with a focus on ways for public and private finance to work together to unlock capital to enable economies to reduce coal and ramp up the development and deployment of clean energy. In addition, Bloomberg Philanthropies will help develop global and local standards and policy frameworks to ensure that the managed phaseout of coal is done in an effective and orderly manner. This includes developing and delivering concrete integrity guidelines by COP28  for the use of carbon credits in incentivizing earlier coal retirement, avoiding the planned release of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

    Community Jameel, a global organisation focused on helping communities thrive, has announced that they are increasing their funding for climate initiatives ahead of COP28. The funding will support projects like the Jameel Observatory-CREWSnet, a platform that predicts climate change to help communities adapt. Community Jameel is committed to addressing climate change, particularly its impact on vulnerable communities. They will continue their efforts to combat food insecurity through agricultural innovation and climate-smart agriculture.

    Ninety One, a global investment manager, has announced initial funding for its new strategy called Emerging Market Transition Debt (EMTD). This strategy aims to provide commercial financing to support real-world efforts in reducing carbon emissions where it is most needed. The firm is now raising more funds with the goal of turning EMTD into a large-scale initiative worth billions of dollars. By actively participating in the Sustainable Markets Initiative, Ninety One is contributing to the creation of a new investment category focused on transition debt. They provide credit to high-emitting companies that have a strong potential for transitioning towards sustainability. The aim is to inspire other companies to offer similar opportunities and promote transition financing on a larger scale.

    Three Cairns Group and Sea Change Foundation International announced the formation of Allied Climate Partners, Inc. (ACP), a philanthropic investment organization with a mission to increase the number of bankable, climate-related projects and businesses in emerging markets and developing economies to create significant environmental, economic, and social impact. ACP will select regional investment managers in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Central America, and India and support them with capital and the expertise necessary to increase the number of climate-related projects and asset-oriented businesses by investing at the early-stages of the development process. The initiative will be formally launched at COP28.

    The World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab have announced 15 Chief Executive Officers and Chairs who will make up the Lab.  The founding members comprise a core group charged with developing solutions to address the barriers to private sector investment in emerging markets and developing countries – including leaders from AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ninety One, PIMCO, Ping An, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy for All, Tata, Temasek, and Three Cairns Group. The Lab will identify new approaches, building on the World Bank’s current work, to address existing barriers and develop solutions , with the ultimate goal of crowding in greater levels of private finance in emerging markets. The Lab will initially focus on scaling transition finance in renewable energy and energy infrastructure.

    Full list of attendees at the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum

    • Alison Rose, Natwest
    • Andrew Forrest, Fortescue Group
    • Andy Kuper, Leapfrog
    • Bill Winters, Standard Chartered
    • Brian Moynihan, Bank of America
    • Colm Holmes, Allianz
    • Fady Jameel, Community Jameel
    • Hendrik du Toit, Ninety One
    • Isabella da Costa Mendes and Victoria Miles, ImpactA
    • Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, The Sustainable Markets Initiative
    • John Neal, Lloyd’s
    • Larry Fink, BlackRock
    • Lukas Walton, Builders Vision
    • Mark Carney, Private Sector Investment Lab; Brookfield Asset Management; The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
    • Mark Gallogly, Founder Three Cairns Group
    • Mary Schapiro, The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
    • Nat Simons, Sea Change Foundation
    • Noel Quinn, HSBC
    • Rich Lesser, Boston Consulting Group
    • Shriti Vadera, Prudential Plc; Private Sector Investment Lab
    • Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP President Designate
    • Tony Elumelu, The Tony Elumelu Foundation
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – Universal Periodic Review Adoption – Pakistan [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – Universal Periodic Review Adoption – Pakistan [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2023.

    The UK statement for the Universal Periodic Review adoption of Pakistan at the 53rd Human Rights Council. Due to time constraints, this was not delivered.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    Let me begin by welcoming Pakistan’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review and the progress it has made in a number of areas since its last review.

    The United Kingdom is pleased that Pakistan fully supports our recommendation to ensure the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act aligns with Pakistan’s Constitution. We believe this a crucial step to end impunity for attacks against journalists and promote a free media, which is a cornerstone of democracy.

    We also welcome Pakistan’s support for our recommendation to define domestic violence as a crime and to provide adequate resources to end gender-based violence. This builds on Pakistan’s recent progress on women’s rights, including passing legislation to expedite rape cases and strengthening sentences for sexual harassment in the workplace.

    However we do regret that Pakistan did not accept our recommendation to ensure school textbooks are inclusive of all religions, and ensure that minorities can access suitable alternatives to compulsory Qu’ranic studies. We urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and religious freedom of persecuted religious communities, including Ahmadi Muslims and Christians.

    We reiterate our commitment to work closely with Pakistan as it seeks to protect and promote the human rights of all its citizens. Particularly with upcoming elections, we would stress the importance of upholding democratic rights, including the right to protest, adherence to the rule of law, and transparency in legal processes.

    The UK attaches great importance to the concrete steps taken to implement UPR recommendations. We strongly encourage Pakistan to provide an update on progress by submitting a mid-term report.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – Universal Periodic Review Adoption – Sri Lanka [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – Universal Periodic Review Adoption – Sri Lanka [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2023.

    The UK statement for the Universal Periodic Review adoption of Sri Lanka at the 53rd Human Rights Council. Due to time constraints, this was not delivered.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    The United Kingdom welcomes Sri Lanka’s constructive engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process and the initial steps it has taken to make progress in some areas since its last review.

    We welcome Sri Lanka’s support for the United Kingdom’s recommendation relating to concerns around land expropriation and restrictions in the north and east by government departments.

    The United Kingdom urges Sri Lanka to reconsider its position on the United Kingdom’s other two recommendations relating to commemoration and memorialisation of victims of the civil war, and repealing sections of the Penal Code to end criminalization of same-sex conduct and ensure equality in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

    We recognise the significant political and economic challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in recent years and encourage Sri Lanka to continue efforts to foster political inclusion. We emphasise the importance of reconciliation, justice and accountability for all communities, and the importance of upholding the right to freedom of assembly and expression.

    We reiterate our commitment to work constructively with Sri Lanka to advance the protection of human rights and to achieve justice and reconciliation.

    Thank you.