Dominic Raab: âSeveral Prosperity Fund programmes contribute to environmental issues in Brazil. The Green Finance programme supports work to improve the availability of private sector finance for high quality, sustainable infrastructure investment. The Energy programme will support Brazil's low-carbon transition by improving access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. The Future Cities...
Dominic Raab: âAlmost all of the Government's investment in Brazil through the Prosperity Fund has been allocated from Official Development Assistance. There is a small non-ODA budget allocated by the Treasury to the Prosperity Fund to support Secondary Benefits work.
Dominic Raab: âThe Government plans to invest £51.7million in Brazil through the Prosperity Fund over the next four years: £14.4 million in 2019/20, £17.2 million in 2020/21, £15.2 million in 2021/22 and £4.9 million in 2022/2023. This funding will be allocated to our Future Cities, Energy Trade Facilitation, and Green Finance programmes.
Dominic Raab: We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. We are in regular contact with both the Indian and Pakistani...
Dominic Raab: We are following the situation in Kashmir closely and are in regular contact with the governments of India and of Pakistan. The Prime Minister and I have discussed the situation in Kashmir with our Indian counterparts and raised UK concerns. Lord Ahmad has also spoken on a number of occasions with both the Indian High Commissioner and Pakistan High Commission about the situation. Events in...
Dominic Raab: The Government is committed to encouraging and contributing to international action to address the widespread problem of deforestation. Through our international network we support and regularly advocate for international cooperation on deforestation through multilateral institutions such as the UN and the World Bank. Together with international partners, we pledged to mobilise US $5billion...
Dominic Raab: In recent weeks, I have spoken both to the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, and to the Chinese Foreign Minister, State Councillor Wang Yi. I made clear the UK’s continuing support for the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, which is guaranteed by the legally binding Joint Declaration of 1984 and enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law. I have also spoken to a wide range of...
Dominic Raab: I raised the response of the Hong Kong authorities to recent protests when I spoke to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on 9 August. Whilst there is no excuse for violence, it is vital that the response of the authorities is proportionate. The Hong Kong SAR Government should also establish a robust, independent investigation into events. We note that the Independent Police Complaints...
Dominic Raab: âSince June 2016, the United Kingdom Government has engaged constructively with the Government of Gibraltar and our European partners, including Spain, to address the practical implications - including border crossings - for Gibraltar arising from EU Exit. The Spanish Government, including most recently Foreign Minister Borrell, has made clear the importance of maintaining border fluidity....
Dominic Raab: Foreign Office officials have not had discussions with trade unions in Gibraltar to discuss EU Exit. The Government of Gibraltar is responsible for its own contingency planning. The United Kingdom Government regularly engages with the Government of Gibraltar to provide expert advice and support to ensure that robust plans are in place. The Prime Minister has assured the Chief Minister that,...
Dominic Raab: On 26 September during an Urgent Question on Hong Kong, I set out the UK's serious concerns about the credible reports of over a million Uyghur Muslims being held in so-called "re-education camps". As I stated in the House, we will continue to ensure that these concerns are expressed directly with Chinese authorities. We also raise the issue multilaterally: the UK recently co-hosted an event...
Dominic Raab: On 26 September during an Urgent Question on Hong Kong, I set out the UK's position on the persecution of groups in China on the grounds of religion or belief. As I stated in the House, we are concerned that Chinese Government guidelines on unapproved religious activity, education and travel may restrict the peaceful observation of those rights. We take a proactive approach to influencing on...
Dominic Raab: I have not had recent discussions with my Chinese counterpart on the detention of Pastor Wang Yi. However, we have raised our concerns about the closure of churches in China, including the Early Rain Covenant Church, which Pastor Wang Yi founded. British diplomats met with Chinese officials earlier this year and expressed concern regarding the pressures facing Christians. They directly raised...
Dominic Raab: A nationwide ceasefire will only have an effect on the ground if it is underpinned by a political deal between the conflict parties. The UK has played a leading role in diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution. On 26 September, the UK co-hosted a political event at the UN General Assembly to coordinate the international community’s support for the UN-led peace process and endorse the...
Dominic Raab: We are deeply concerned about reports of civilian deaths after an attack on a detention centre in Dhamar province in Yemen on 1 September. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected. The UK takes alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) extremely seriously. Whenever the UK receives reports of alleged violations of IHL, we routinely seek information from all...
Dominic Raab: The Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to consider the possible impact of providing equipment and its capabilities. We will not issue any export licences for Saudi Arabia that are inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including Criterion 2(c): whether there is a clear risk that the goods might be used...
Dominic Raab: The UK regularly presses the Coalition on the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and of conducting thorough and conclusive investigations into alleged violations of IHL. We welcome the release of over 100 statements by the Coalition Joint Incident Assessment Team from investigations into alleged breaches of IHL in Yemen. We welcome the improvements in the quantity and...
Dominic Raab: The UK takes alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) extremely seriously. Whenever the UK receives reports of alleged violations of IHL, we routinely seek information from all credible sources, including from Non-Governmental Organisations and international organisations. The Government is not opposing calls for international independent investigation, but foremost, we...
Dominic Raab: The Government is deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. We fully support the peace process led by the UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, and urge the parties to engage constructively with this process. A political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis. The UK supports the...
Dominic Raab: The Zimbabwean economy faces severe challenges and the economic situation remains fragile. Our Embassy in Harare monitors developments closely, encouraging the government of Zimbabwe to implement the Staff Monitored Programme announced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 31 May and protect the poorest. Following the re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar the Zimbabwe National...