The UK Govt has updated its #IntegratedReview of foreign, defence, diplomacy and development.
10-point thread on the implications for #development
Overall, UK development policy is past its nadir but still short of development leadership.
10-point thread on the implications for #development
Overall, UK development policy is past its nadir but still short of development leadership.
1. First, there are some big improvements to the overall approach:
- very little boasting/ boosterism;
- it actually mentions Europe;
- the commitment to multilateralism is consistent and strong
- very little boasting/ boosterism;
- it actually mentions Europe;
- the commitment to multilateralism is consistent and strong
2. As well as four (sensible) pillars; the document has geographic and thematic focuses. 
3. The geographic is disappointing on development -
Doesn’t offer any reassurance the UK will re-focus on Africa, or the poorest countries (poverty only mentioned twice in 63 pages).
Sadly, Minister Mitchell seems to lack PM/ wider support for this basic commitment.
Doesn’t offer any reassurance the UK will re-focus on Africa, or the poorest countries (poverty only mentioned twice in 63 pages).
Sadly, Minister Mitchell seems to lack PM/ wider support for this basic commitment.
4. For Africa, it does suggest a much-needed
"greater appreciation of the needs and perspectives of key partners across the continent”
And concretely, it supports an African seat at the G20 and UN security council; and another African Investment Summit in 2024
"greater appreciation of the needs and perspectives of key partners across the continent”
And concretely, it supports an African seat at the G20 and UN security council; and another African Investment Summit in 2024
5. The thematic section is much stronger.
No 1 priority is climate change, environmental damage & biodiversity loss - it recognises up front that climate effort starts at home.
Sustainable development (and the SDGs) is no2.
No 1 priority is climate change, environmental damage & biodiversity loss - it recognises up front that climate effort starts at home.
Sustainable development (and the SDGs) is no2.
6. The refresh adds 7 initiatives to deliver last summer's development strategy 4 priorities. These are good and include:
“reforming and greening the global financial system” and
“championing fairer global tax systems”
Plus specifics on the women & girls priority.
“reforming and greening the global financial system” and
“championing fairer global tax systems”
Plus specifics on the women & girls priority.
7. Three other positives
- explicit contrast with the US: the system cannot be ‘democracy versus autocracy’
- importance of working with “middle-ground powers” to avoid “zero-sum competition”.
- supporting Brazil, India, Japan & Germany to join the UN Security Council.
- explicit contrast with the US: the system cannot be ‘democracy versus autocracy’
- importance of working with “middle-ground powers” to avoid “zero-sum competition”.
- supporting Brazil, India, Japan & Germany to join the UN Security Council.
8. Two new things for UK development watchers are:
- the Development Minister will attend the National Security Council
- @FCdO will get a second permanent secretary focussed on development.
These are positive, but not transformative.
- the Development Minister will attend the National Security Council
- @FCdO will get a second permanent secretary focussed on development.
These are positive, but not transformative.
9. So, what’s missing? Resources.
Defence gets £5bn but nothing on development => a 4th consecutive year of bilateral cuts in 2023.
The review barely mentions refugees which absorb 25% of UK’s aid. No commitment to separating these lines.
No mention of return to 0.7%.
Defence gets £5bn but nothing on development => a 4th consecutive year of bilateral cuts in 2023.
The review barely mentions refugees which absorb 25% of UK’s aid. No commitment to separating these lines.
No mention of return to 0.7%.
10. Overall, the refresh makes some important steps for the UK re-engaging with Europe, support for multilaterals and good thematic and reform focus - held still held back by a lack of political leadership from PM on funding development sensibly.
Press release here
gov.uk/government/new…
Full document here:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
gov.uk/government/new…
Full document here:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
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