Andrew Mitchell: I [Minister Mitchell] met South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on 20 September to discuss progress on implementation of South Sudan's Peace Agreement, including provisions for free and fair elections in December 2024. We discussed our efforts to secure peace in Sudan, UK support for education in South Sudan, and our response to the growing humanitarian crisis. I also spoke to the former South...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government acknowledges the importance of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations in preventing deaths from cervical cancer. As the largest donor to Gavi's core mission contributing £1.65 billion to the Global Vaccine Alliance's (Gavi) 2021-2025 strategic period, the UK supports Gavi's efforts to accelerate the introduction, access and coverage of the vaccine in low- or middle-income...
Andrew Mitchell: The 2022 Strategy for International Development (IDS) set the direction for all of the UK's international development work. It outlines a patient approach and a focused set of priorities that will drive lasting, sustainable, growth, alleviate suffering and tackle the root causes of global crises. We will use all our levers, from our diplomacy to our investment and trade, to deliver our...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK is closely monitoring events in Burkina Faso including the worsening security and humanitarian situation. Recent analysis by the UN and NGOs indicates that high numbers of school closures are disrupting education for pupils in Burkina Faso. The UK continues to provide support for education through the Education Cannot Wait Fund, a multilateral fund which supports the provision of...
Andrew Mitchell: Africa's share of the world's population is forecast to double from 18 percent today to 37 percent by 2100, so African countries need a louder voice on the international stage. Recognising this, the Integrated Review refresh sets out the Government's support of greater African representation in multilateral institutions. The Government supported, and welcomes, the African Union becoming a...
Andrew Mitchell: At COP27, the UK and other parties agreed to establish a Transitional Committee (TC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to develop a loss and damage fund and funding arrangements by COP28. The UK is a full member of the TC and has engaged very actively to support progress through the three Committee meetings held to date. The UK is working with the TC,...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK condemns in the strongest possible terms attempts to undermine democracy, peace and stability in Niger and Gabon. We have not seen evidence of Wagner involvement in recent developments in Niger. More widely, it is clear that Russian engagement in the Sahel is causing instability and is not in the interests of the people of the region. We stand firmly with the African Union and the...
Andrew Mitchell: Human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations, including those working to protect land or the environment, are supported through the bilateral engagement of our global network of Embassies and High Commissions and, importantly, through multilateral organisations. In 2019, the Government published guidance entitled 'UK support for Human Rights Defenders' which sets out what we...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government notes the statement by African Faith Leaders. We are working to ensure swift progress and effective implementation of debt treatments and are working to deliver a long-term, sustainable approach to dealing with debt restructurings through the Common Framework. The UK is leading improvements to the global debt architecture and is supporting efforts to find coordinated...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK closely monitors and regularly reviews the security risks to British nationals overseas. These risks are reflected in FCDO travel advice, which remains under constant review to ensure it reflects our latest risk assessment. There are seven countries that border Niger. The travel advice we provide for each one is tailored, and sets out the differing security contexts and risks. Some of...
Andrew Mitchell: We are delighted to be partnering closely with South Africa on the Just Energy Transition, as the lead of the International Partners Group (IPG), to support South Africa's accelerated and inclusive transition towards a net zero and climate resilient economy. The UK and the IPG has frequent engagement with South African counterparts at the working and Ministerial level. Considerable finance...
Andrew Mitchell: On May 24, I [Minister Mitchell] announced £143 million of humanitarian support for people affected by conflict and climate change in East Africa. The funding includes £48 million for Somalia, £18.9 million for South Sudan, £42 million for Ethiopia and £5.8 million for Kenya. This is part of a wider bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocation for East Africa for 23/24...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK continues to monitor the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its grave humanitarian consequences. We note the findings of the UN Group of Experts investigation into the situation in DRC. We are one of a few partners who have a permanent presence in Goma, despite the security challenges, and are regularly in touch with the Government, the UN peacekeeping...
Andrew Mitchell: Allocations for the next financial year spend of the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF)/Integrated Security Fund (ISF) have not yet been undertaken, so it is not possible to say how much or where it will be spent. The CSSF for FY 23/24 has allocated approximately £109.4 million programme spend to the African continent from eight portfolios, two are geographic portfolios - Middle...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government continues to drive efforts to eradicate all forms of modern slavery in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. We work closely with international partners including the UN, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Commonwealth. FCDO officials regularly meet with Commonwealth Secretariat representatives and other Commonwealth partners to...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK continues to drive efforts to eradicate all forms of modern slavery in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. We work closely with international partners, including the UN, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Commonwealth, to encourage joint action on priorities including ending the worst forms of child labour and the exploitation...
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: ...Climate Action Window (£200 million) and South Africa's Just Energy Transition ($1.8 billion). At the Africa Climate Summit (4-6 September) the Minister for Climate and the Environment, The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance, with approximately 40 per cent of this being spent on Africa. Minister...
Andrew Mitchell: Namibia will be one of 25 selected African countries attending the UK-African Investment Summit in April 2024, a high-level event promoting UK-African partnerships in trade and investment, finance, technology, clean energy, food security, critical minerals and women's entrepreneurship. There will be a particular focus on the UK's distinctive role in supporting the economic capabilities of...
Leo Docherty: ...duty-free access to the UK, saving £120 million in tariffs on exports. On 6 June, Lord Ahmad met with Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar to discuss trade. On 20 June the Minister for Development, Andrew Mitchell, spoke with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar about the importance of promoting economic stability in Pakistan.
Andrew Mitchell: The UK is working to increase trade and investment with Zimbabwe to help drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty. Through our Economic Partnership Agreement, Zimbabwean companies have duty-free and quota-free access to the UK market, and we are particularly focused on supporting Zimbabwean exports of horticulture produce like blueberries and peas, increasing choices for UK...
