Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and Rory Stewart

Wednesday 29th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Rory Stewart]

We believe very strongly that reform should be done with other member states and as part of a coalition. As the hon. Gentleman has pointed out, the multilateral development review has pointed to issues where we think further reform is needed, but the United Nations is central to Britain’s response around the world. In fact, we are contributing £1.6 billion this year in our work with the United Nations, addressing some of the most vulnerable people on the planet.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

What success has been had in recruiting Gulf states to work through the UN system and in encouraging them to support our UN reform agenda?

[Rory Stewart]

Clearly, Gulf states, which are increasingly large parts of the economy of the world, are central to humanitarian response. There have been significant contributions from the Gulf—from Saudi, UAE and Qatar—and the Secretary of State continues to encourage those contributions, particularly those that address the famines in the horn of Africa.