Month: June 2018

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Press release: Extra Border Force cutter to support search and rescue in Aegean

Prime Minister Theresa May has today announced that an additional Border Force cutter will be deployed to the Aegean to assist with vital search and rescue operations which have already saved more than 13,000 lives.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Downing Street. The leaders are expected to discuss ways in which to strengthen co-operation on managing illegal migration and enhance efforts to implement the EU-Turkey statement in the face of continuing migratory pressures.
The EU-Turkey statement, signed in March 2016, is a key part of the strategy to tackle illegal migration in this region. The agreement aims, through returns, to break the link between making the illegal and dangerous journey across the Aegean and remaining in Europe.

In addition to the cutter, it was also announced that the UK will be providing additional interpreters to ease pressures on the Greek islands and support the most vulnerable.

Aside from the search and rescue role, cutters and their crew are ideally placed to spot signs of organised immigration crime, which can provide vital intelligence for law enforcement partners.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said:

Today’s announcement is a strong symbol of the will of both governments to work together to tackle the challenges posed by illegal migration and maintain the momentum of the EU-Turkey agreement.

It builds on the vital humanitarian work already carried out by Border Force cutters in both the Mediterranean and the Aegean, often done in extremely challenging circumstances.

The meeting between the two prime ministers today is just the start of a process which will develop specific areas of co-operation, supported by an action plan which I will be taking forward.

At the EU-Turkey summit held on 7 March 2016, the UK agreed with EU leaders and Turkey that all illegal migrants crossing from Turkey into the Greek islands would be returned to Turkey. In return, the EU agreed that for every Syrian readmitted by Turkey from the Greek islands, another Syrian from Turkey would be resettled in the EU. The implementation of the statement has contributed to the significant reduction of flows in the eastern Mediterranean and its ongoing effective implementation remains vital to see lasting impact in this region.

The additional Border Force cutter will work alongside HMC Valiant which was deployed to support the search and rescue operation ‘Op Poseidon’ in May 2015, as part of an agreement with the Hellenic Coast Guard.

Border Force cutters are equipped with maritime radar and rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and are capable of rescuing several migrant boats at the same time, with sometimes over 200 people rescued in a single mission.
Cutters are just one part of the Border Force maritime capability which protects the UK coastline. In UK waters, Border Force also has a fleet of coastal patrol vessels, which are used to patrol ports and marinas.

Link: Press release: Extra Border Force cutter to support search and rescue in Aegean
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Northern Ireland Budget (No.2)

To authorise the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland of certain sums for the service of the year ending 31 March 2019; to appropriate those sums for specified purposes; to authorise the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland to
borrow on the credit of the appropriated sums; to authorise the use for the public service of certain resources (including accruing resources) for the year ending 31 March 2019; and to repeal certain spent provisions.

Link: Northern Ireland Budget (No.2)
Source: Public Bills

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Press release: UK welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan for the opening of new academic centre in London

Foreign Office Minister for Human Rights Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon attended the official opening of the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross today (26 June) as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour of His Highness the Aga Khan.

The centre is a positive symbol of diversity, cross-cultural learning and shows Britain as a multicultural, multi-faith and tolerant nation.

The new development will be home to institutions and agencies including those of the non-profit Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international agencies dedicated to improving the quality of life in in the poorest countries of the world.

The UK Government works closely with the AKDN in Central Asia and Tanzania, as well as in Afghanistan where the Aga Khan Foundation implement Department for International Development (DfID) programmes including delivering an education programme under the Girls’ Education Challenge.

Speaking at the opening, Lord Tariq Ahmad said:

The opening of this spectacular new building in London is a concrete example of the privileged relationship the UK enjoys with the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community and is the ideal way to mark the Diamond Jubilee tour of His Highness the Aga Khan.

The work we do together makes a huge difference to people’s lives, not least in Afghanistan where 300,000 more girls are going to school thanks to our girls’ education programme there.

One of the Foreign Secretary’s key priorities is ensuring the world’s poorest girls receive 12 years of quality education. Appallingly, 90% of world’s poorest children leave school unable to read and write. That’s why we’ve committed £500 million of UKaid to help over 1.5 million vulnerable girls to learn.

Also in attendance for the official opening were His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Mayor of London.

The new centre in King’s Cross, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki includes gardens, terraces and courtyards inspired by different Muslim civilisations, although the centre will serve as an academic centre only and will not have a religious function. It brings together under one roof the

Aga Khan Foundation (UK), Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) and Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC).

Tomorrow His Highness will be attending a lunch at Lancaster House in his honour hosted by the International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, with Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary, Sir Simon McDonald, attending.

Notes to editors:

  • The Aga Khan is celebrating 60 years as Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims during 2017-18 by conducting official visits to countries where there are significant Ismaili communities including the UK, USA, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, India, Pakistan and UAE.

  • The UK office of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) was established in 1973 to support the broader AKDN by forming strategic partnerships with UK and European institutional partners including government agencies, policy institutes, corporations, foundations, NGOs, universities, associations and professional networks.

  • The Aga Khan University (AKU) is an autonomous, not-for-profit university that promotes human welfare through research, teaching and community service. It operates in Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan and the UK. The AKU’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (ISMC) was established in 2002 and provides research and teaching on the heritage of Muslim societies including in contemporary environments, with a Master’s programme in Muslim Cultures. The institute is listed with UKVI as an Overseas Provider as the degree is an AKU degree under its Pakistani charter. The AKU works with scholars abroad and in the UK including at Oxford, Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

  • The Institute for Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 to promote scholarship and learning of Muslim cultures and societies, historical and contemporary, and encourage a better understanding of their relationship with other societies and faiths. IIS collaborates with universities around the world and has two graduate programmes: Islamic Studies and Humanities and a joint double-Master’s Degree Programme in partnership with University College London’s Institute for Education.

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Link: Press release: UK welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan for the opening of new academic centre in London
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: UK aid to help provide Gazans with access to clean water and sanitation

UK aid will help provide Palestinians living in Gaza with clean water, the Middle East Minister Alistair Burt announced today (Tuesday 26 June).

Today’s support, an allocation of £2 million to UNICEF, will help ensure that the two million Palestinians in Gaza have access to safe water to drink and cook with.

There is a dire shortage of water in Gaza, where just 4 per cent of water in the strip is fit for human consumption and many families rely on buying dirty water from unregulated vendors.

This UK aid package will help:

  • install over 1,000 roof water tanks to help families store clean water
  • provide over 3,000 communal water drums so that households can collect clean water
  • provide chlorine to treat water in 280 wells and 38 water treatment plants.

Minister Burt, who made the announcement in a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament earlier today, said:

With only 4 per cent of the water in Gaza fit for human consumption, people are left with no choice but to drink dirty water and risk falling victim to deadly water borne diseases.

Today’s UK aid package will help provide the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza with access to safe, clean water and sanitation so they can feed and wash themselves and their children without fear of falling seriously ill.

But aid alone isn’t enough and the rest of the international community must do all it can to help ease the people of Gaza’s suffering. The UK is committed to helping achieve a peaceful two-state solution and we call on parties to urgently redouble their efforts to bring this suffering to an end.

In addition to today’s package of support, UK aid in Gaza is already helping to repair water and wastewater pipes, provide chlorine for 70 wells and 20 desalination plants. It will also provide 1,300 water storage tanks and give 15,000 of the most vulnerable families essential hygiene items, such as soap, sanitary towels and shampoo as well as water treatment kits.

On a recent visit to Gaza Minister Burt also announced £1.5 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross to keep hospitals open and functioning following the recent surge in violence.

Notes to editors

The UK has allocated £2 million to UNICEF from the DFID OPTs 2018/19 budget.

In November 2017 the UK provided £1.9 million to UNICEF through the 2017 Gaza Crisis Urgent Appeal from the DFID OPTs 2017/18 budget.

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Follow the DFID Media office on Twitter – @DFID_Press

Link: Press release: UK aid to help provide Gazans with access to clean water and sanitation
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Secretary of State welcomes FinTrU announcement

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP said:

Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Belfast, Derry-Londonderry and indeed the entire Northern Ireland economy.

Over the next five years, more than 600 new jobs will be created and over £15million in additional annual salaries will be generated for the local economy. On top of this, FinTrU will benefit from a projected £20million in additional export sales.

This significant investment is testament to the exceptional talent and attractive locations the North West and Belfast has to offer and once again goes to prove that Northern Ireland is leading the way in Financial Services.

Link: Press release: Secretary of State welcomes FinTrU announcement
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: CSSP Brazil

O encontro aconteceu em Exeter, Inglaterra, e foi organizado pelo programa Climate Science for Services Partnership (CSSP), no âmbito do Fundo Newton. O evento integra o calendário do Ano Brasil-Reino Unido de Ciência e Inovação 2018/19.

O uso da ciência climática para auxiliar em políticas públicas de prevenção e mitigação de desastres naturais foi debatido entre cientistas do Brasil e do Reino Unido em um encontro em Exeter, na Inglaterra, no dia 25 de junho. Esta discussão integra o workshop anual do programa Climate Science for Services Partnership (CSSP), programa de pesquisa climática que visa desenvolver modelos científicos conjuntos para análise de mudanças climáticas.

Este acordo bilateral de parcerias científicas para estudos climáticos é financiado pelos governos do Reino Unido e do Brasil, por meio do Fundo Newton, em parceria entre o UK Met Office Hadley Centre e três institutos subordinados ao Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações (MCTIC): o Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), o Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) e o Centro Nacional de Monitoramento e Alertas de Desastres Naturais (CEMADEN).

O objetivo da reunião foi estudar os resultados dos programas de cooperação atuais, e investigar formas de integrá-los às decisões políticas para auxiliar no planejamento contra possíveis ocorrências de desastres naturais. Nos próximos dois dias, o workshop estudará como aperfeiçoar os modelos científicos existentes para análise de mudanças climáticas para contribuir com a prevenção e redução de desastres associados à influência humana sobre o clima. “É essencial que os tomadores de decisão, do planejamento de contingência até os que respondem aos desastres, sejam capazes de utilizarem as melhores e mais robustas ferramentas científicas, e o CSSP Brasil está trabalhando para fornecer isso”, disse o diretor do Met Office Hadley Centre, o Prof. Albert Klein Tank. “O projeto está apoiando a Quarta Comunicação Nacional do Brasil para a Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre Mudança do Clima. As melhorias da compreensão do que gera ganhos e perdas de carbono no Brasil fornecerão evidências que sustentem os esforços em direção às metas do Acordo de Paris”, explica Tank.

Estiveram presentes em Exeter representantes de todos os parceiros citados: o diretor do UK Met Office Hadley, Professor Albert Klein-Tank, a supervisora de Meteorologia e Clima, também do UK Met Office Hadley, Dra. Kirstine Dale, o diretor do Centro Nacional de Monitoramento e Alertas de Desastres Naturais (Cemaden), Dr. Osvaldo Luiz Leal de Moraes, o diretor do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Luiz Renato França, e o diretor do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), Ricardo Magnus Osório Galvão.

O Fundo Newton, que financia o CSSP Brasil, tem como objetivo construir parceiras igualitárias em ciência e inovação e é administrado pelo Departamento de Negócios, Meio Ambiente e Estratégia do Reino Unido (BEIS). O evento em Exeter é parte do calendário do Ano Brasil-Reino Unido de Ciência e Inovação: uma oportunidade para que os países aprofundem seus laços em pesquisa e desenvolvimento ao longo de um ano de eventos, conferencias e workshops onde pesquisadores, organizações cientificas e centros de pesquisa podem estreitar parcerias. O calendário tem atividades nas áreas de Saúde & Ciências da Vida, Clima & Biodiversidade, Agricultura Sustentável e Energia.

Link: Press release: CSSP Brazil
Source: Gov Press Releases