Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his planned timetable is to complete work necessary for the participation of the UK in the first conference of Members of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's progress in ratifying the Global Oceans Treaty ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in June 2025.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19633 on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which primary legislation will be required before ratification.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Oceans Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Work is in hand on the measures needed to implement the detailed and complex provisions of the Agreement before the UK can ratify.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of President Biden's attempts to renegotiate the Iranian Nuclear Deal on (a) sanctions, (b) the freezing of Iranian assets, (c) the strength and stability of the Iranian regime, and (d) the stability of the Middle East.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
Iran has refused to conclude a deal that would have restored the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with continued demands beyond the JCPOA's scope. We are considering next steps with our international partners.
We have been clear about our concerns over Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant groups. The UK has designated over 200 Iranian entities and individuals in relation to human rights abuses, proliferation and terrorism.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will impose a ban on all Iranian political, diplomatic and government officials coming to the UK, in the context of recent civil unrest in Iran.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The Iranian authorities' mistreatment of protestors and journalists is a serious violation of human rights. The UK is committed to robustly holding Iran to account for its actions and on 10 October sanctioned the so-called Morality Police and seven individuals for serious human rights violations. Our ability to hold Iran to account is enabled, in part, by the UK-Iran bilateral relationship. On 3 October, we summoned Iran's most senior official in the UK to condemn the violent crackdown in Iran. Our diplomatic ties also enable discussion on other priority matters of UK national security, such as the Iran nuclear deal, Afghanistan and Iran's destabilising role in the Middle East.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Guyanese counterpart on that Government's decision not to allow two accredited international observers from the Carter Centre to return to Guyana to observe the ongoing election recount and the remainder of Guyana’s electoral process.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement of 24 March, a transition of government in Guyana should only take place in line with transparent and democratic principles that lead to credible results. We continue to call upon President Granger to ensure that proper procedures are followed before embarking upon a transition of government. Our High Commissioner, on the Foreign Secretary's behalf, has worked with US, Canadian and EU counterparts to make clear our concerns and disappointment at the refusal to allow the Carter Center and IRI into the country. The UK will continue to call for all to adhere to the democratic principles Guyana has signed up to as a member of the Commonwealth, to ensure the voice and will of the people of Guyana are heard.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of accommodation in Glasgow for the 26th Conference of the Parties.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has assessed the availability of accommodation for the 26th Conference of the Parties within Glasgow and a one hour radius of Glasgow. We are confident that sufficient accommodation is available.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using cruise liners to provide accommodation for attendees at 26th Conference of the Parties in Glasgow.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not made an assessment of the potential merits of using cruise liners. Our expectation is that there will be sufficient accommodation within Glasgow and the surrounding region for attendees.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what executive authority the President of the 26th Conference of the Parties, UN Climate Conference will have over staff within the his Department that are working on climate diplomacy.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The British Government are aware of the need for strong and coordinated senior ministerial governance on COP26. The Prime Minister will chair a new Cabinet Committee on Climate Change attended by the Foreign Secretary. The COP President will report to the Prime Minister and will be based in the Cabinet Office, working closely with the newly established COP unit. We anticipate appointments being made to this unit from across Whitehall Departments.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of energy and climate change policy staffing resources his Department requires to host the COP26 UN Climate Conference in 2020.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
COP26 will require a whole-of-government effort, including strong diplomatic engagement. Both UK-based and locally-engaged staff across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's network will continue to hold climate change diplomacy as a personal priority, and it will remain a Priority in our Embassies and High Commissions. We will be increasing our network of climate attaches.