Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address sectarian divisions around the world, as part of the United Kingdom's contribution to conflict transformation.
Recognising the UK's fundamental role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, which has brought peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland, the UK continues to draw on the lessons and experiences of the people of Northern Ireland through working with peacebuilding organisations and arranging study tours for people from conflict affected states. Following the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Dublin, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is building closer co-operation on peacebuilding ahead of the UK-Ireland Summit.
The UK continues to invest in the Peacebuilding Fund, the UN's primary mechanism supporting prevention and peacebuilding activity in over 40 countries including Sudan, South Sudan, West Africa, and the Sahel. The UK has contributed over £175 million since the inception of the Peacebuilding Fund in 2006, including £5 million for 2024-2025.
In Lebanon, the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund programme is supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Force to be able to manage and respond to internal security threats, including sectarian and inter-communal tensions.