Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in securing agreement at the United Nations Human Rights Council for the resolution tabled by the UK which seeks, in the words of the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, to "keep UN resources focused on the human rights situation, most importantly for a fact-finding mission" and an "independent international mechanism to document and monitor abuses" in Sudan.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK uses its position as penholder at the UN Security Council and leader of the Core Group on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council to keep a spotlight on, and take actions in response to, the human rights situation in Sudan. In October 2023, the Human Right Council adopted the UK-led Resolution to establish an international and independent Fact-Finding Mission to investigate evidence of human rights abuses and violations. Following publication of its first report in September, the UK co-led renewal on 9 October 2024 of the Fact-Finding Mission's mandate for a further year, with the Resolution passing by a higher vote margin this year.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what basis they decided to suspend Chevening scholarships for Afghan students; and what plans they have to review this decision and to reinstate these scholarships.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
No final decisions have been taken for the Afghanistan Chevening programme for academic year 2025/26. We will provide an update on our website in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support initiatives to close the financing gap for food security and nutrition, further to the report The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024, published in July by the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation; and what assessment they have made of the projection that 582 million people will be chronically food insecure by 2030.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are committed to addressing global food insecurity and malnutrition. This includes the financing gap identified in the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report. We work to unlock climate finance, push multilateral development banks to stretch their balance sheets, provide technical assistance and finance to bring in more private sector investment, and support the reform of subsidies for more sustainable agriculture. This must be done in partnership. We will join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, to accelerate action and unlock finance, and support the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative which seeks innovative financing solutions.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to take forward their commitment to the UN on 30 July that they would welcome discussion and feedback from other States Parties and from civil society on their National Implementation Report regarding the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK strives for the highest possible transparency in our nuclear doctrines, policies, and capabilities, including through our National Implementation Report mandated by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). As in past NPT review cycles, the UK intends to submit and make public its draft National Implementation Report at the third session of the NPT Preparatory Committee in 2025. We welcome feedback and discussion with other States Parties and civil society to ensure our final report to the Review Conference in 2026 is as useful as possible, including by holding a consultation exercise facilitated by Wilton Park.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to appoint a Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There are more countries in the world today engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II. Preventing conflict and empowering women and girls is critical to the delivery of the government's missions. We are working to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, including as vice chair of the International Alliance on PSVI (Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict) and by supporting thousands of survivors around the world.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Ministers will take decisions on envoys in due course and appointments of any new envoys will be announced publicly.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the UK–Brazil Partnership on Green and Inclusive Growth announced on 24 May; and whether they endorse the initial five main pillars of the agreement relating to climate, forests, agriculture, energy and finance.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK government wants to strengthen our long-standing cooperation with Brazil on climate, energy, and nature. We are proud to be the third biggest contributor of climate finance to Brazil and are boosting our relationships with Brazilian ministers and officials. Last month, the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero visited Brazil and underlined the UK's ongoing commitment to work with the Brazilian government to realise our shared ambition on climate mitigation, finance, deforestation, and energy transition. The subsequent joint statement reaffirmed our collective desire to strengthen collaboration, including under the existing UK-Brazil Partnership for Green and Inclusive Growth and committed us to develop a Bilateral Strategic Dialogue on Climate.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with NATO allies about the importance of retaining a minimum credible deterrent for as long as global conditions require.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since 1962, the UK has committed its nuclear deterrent to the defence of our NATO allies. The nuclear deterrent deters the most extreme threats to our national security, keeping the UK and our NATO allies safe.
As was made clear in the NATO Washington Summit declaration, nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Alliance security. NATO and NATO Allies will continue to take actions to enhance our deterrence and defence against all threats and challenges and across all domains. As the Prime Minister has set out, this Government has an unshakeable commitment to NATO and our nuclear deterrent.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will continue to (1) support the UK–Brazil Tech Hub, and (2) develop the global network of international tech partnerships, to build digital ecosystems that would facilitate sustainable economic growth and development.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Minister Clark demonstrated the Government’s continued support for the excellent work of the UK-Brazil Tech Hub during her visit to Brazil in early September. As part of the UK’s Digital Access Programme, the Hub continues to make a real difference for local Brazilian communities by improving digital inclusion, building local capacity, and supporting local digital entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Government is strengthening ties with international partners and building the UK’s reputation as a strong, reliable partner, while harnessing the power of science and technology for global benefit. Supporting partners to transform their economies in a sustainable and inclusive manner is critical to strengthen the entire science and technology ecosystem and achieve our technology ambitions.