Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Côte d’Ivoire.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

On 5 November, at Côte d'Ivoire's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK pressed Côte d'Ivoire to improve rights of freedom of association, assembly and peaceful demonstration ahead of next year's Presidential elections. We also highlighted the need to protect civil society and the rights and physical safety of LGBT+ individuals who continue to face widespread discrimination. We do recognise however that Côte d'Ivoire has taken steps to improve its human rights situation in recent years, developing its legal and institutional framework for human rights and playing an active role on the UN's Human Rights Council. The UK Government is committed to work closely with local civil society, human rights defenders and the Government of Côte d'Ivoire on human rights.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. The UK continues to engage with the Government of Zimbabwe on the importance of upholding the rule of law, including constitutional rights to assembly and association and to ensure due process for all Zimbabweans. We are committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe which will enable us to pursue shared interests, support Zimbabwe's most vulnerable people, deepen our strong people-to-people links and raise issues relating to human rights.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what advice and support they are providing to the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is an active supporter of the African Union's Comprehensive Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). We engage closely in the Development Partners Coordination Group and the Technical Working Group that support the CAADP agenda. UK funding for CAADP is channelled through various agricultural support programmes, including the Africa Food Trade and Resilience Programme. This UK support helps African partners to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty by supporting economic growth through agriculture-led development.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what advice and support they are providing to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK works closely with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as part of the UN's architecture in Africa. Through the UK's Office for National Statistics, we also have a long-running programme of support to the African Centre for Statistics in UNECA which includes embedding a strategic adviser to contribute to regional guidance and support member states on statistical modernisation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to the African Union to increase the participation of women in positions of political leadership across the continent.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK supports the African Union's efforts to increase women's participation in political processes in Africa through their Conflict and Governance Programme. Through the programme, we support women's participation in election monitoring missions, transitional justice initiatives and the implementation of National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security. The programme also provides direct support to 'FemWise,' the Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation. This helps to underpin the inclusion of, and leadership from, women in political processes across Africa.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what advice and support they are providing to the African Union's Agenda 2063 programme in the field of education.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Improving education in Africa is a priority for the UK, and we provide support across a range of programmes. Whilst the UK does not provide direct financial support to the Africa Union (AU) Agenda 2063 programme in the field of education, we are a champion of AU efforts in this area. We participated in the Foundational Learning Conference, hosted by the African Union in Addis Ababa in September 2024, and will attend the Africa Education Conference, to be hosted in Mauritania in December 2024, as part of the AU's focus on education this year.