UK Development Partnership Assistance

Baroness Sugg Excerpts

Thursday 29th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

My Lords, with the world we live in defined by geopolitical competition, protracted conflicts and crises, and shrinking civic space, the United Kingdom’s development partnership assistance remains one of our most powerful assets. I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Featherstone, for giving us the opportunity to have this debate, and for her introduction, which made such a strong case for continued investment in development. It was a pleasure to hear the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Hyde. It is clear that she is going to bring much passion to your Lordships’ House, and I look forward to hearing the maiden speech of the noble Lord, Lord Barber. I know that this House will benefit from his considerable expertise in development, diplomacy and delivery.

Beyond alleviating poverty and responding to humanitarian need, UK development partnerships shape political relationships, build long-term trust, and reinforce the norms and institutions that underpin international peace and security. When aligned with foreign policy objectives, development partnerships strengthen conflict prevention, support inclusive political settlements and enhance the UK’s soft power by demonstrating commitment to international law, human rights and multilateral co-operation. It is through these sustained partnerships—often built over decades—that the UK earns credibility, influence and the ability to convene and lead at moments of diplomatic significance.

I will focus on women, peace and security and how the UK should use its upcoming presidency of the United Nations Security Council. I declare my interest as chair of the charity, Plan International UK.

I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement that women, peace and security sits at the heart of UK foreign policy. Next month’s presidency of the UNSC is one of the first opportunities to act on this commitment on the global stage. This is more than a procedural moment; it is a diplomatic opportunity that speaks directly to how the UK exercises influence in a contested world and how development partnership functions as a core instrument of our diplomacy, our conflict prevention efforts and our soft power.

The UK’s long-standing role as penholder on WPS gives us both credibility and responsibility. At a time of constrained development budgets and growing geopolitical competition, our challenge is to use our development partnerships more strategically to convene, to shape norms and to strengthen peace. The UNSC presidency offers a clear opportunity for the UK to translate long-term development commitments into immediate diplomatic impact by embedding WPS principles into the Security Council’s ways of working, from agenda-setting to briefings and outcomes. This matters because the evidence is clear: peace processes are more credible and more durable when women participate meaningfully. Development partnerships that support women peacebuilders, protect civil society space and strengthen local resilience directly contribute to conflict prevention and resolution. When the UK elevates these perspectives at the Security Council, it is not engaging in symbolism; it is improving the quality of decision-making and strengthening the council’s effectiveness. This leadership is particularly important at a moment of backlash against gender equality in multilateral forums. Resistance to gender-responsive language has already diluted mandates on civil protection, peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

The Protect Progress coalition, a campaign that is focusing on countering the rollback on women and girls rights, has suggested a number of events that would support the UK to deliver on its commitment to women and girls: a UK presidency signature event focused on securing women’s safe and meaningful participation and protection in all levels of decision making; a Foreign Secretary-led high-level ministerial meeting under the Arria formula focusing on the safe and meaningful participation of women in peace dialogue and processes in conflict contexts; and a formal council meeting on Sudan with a very strong gender lens—particularly important as women have, in essence, been cut out of the discussions here so far.

There are a number of other sensible ideas, including, importantly, a suggestion that the UK presidency should place a strong emphasis on systematic follow-up to recommendations emerging from previous Security Council meetings and briefings, particularly on women, peace and security. This would help move towards accountability and more effective, outcome-orientated decision-making. I have shared these suggestions with the Minister in advance of this debate, and I hope he and the department will consider them carefully.

I would be grateful if in his response the Minister could outline the steps that the Government will take on women, peace and security in the upcoming presidency of the UN Security Council. By placing women, peace and security at the core of our diplomatic engagement, the UK can demonstrate leadership that is effective, values-driven and grounded in the realities of conflict—reinforcing peace, strengthening multilateralism and exercising soft power where it matters most.