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Boris is back

Former prime minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said he will go to the upcoming UN climate change conference, in a move that could force his successor to change his mind and attend…reports Asian Lite News

Former prime minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said he will go to the upcoming UN climate change conference, in a move that could force his successor to change his mind and attend.

Johnson told Sky News in his first interview since stepping down as prime minister in September that he had been “invited by the Egyptians” to the COP27 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

He said he was “very happy to go” as he had “a particular interest”, having hosted last year’s event in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

Johnson said he had a “particular interest” in going to the United Nations conference, which aims to get international agreement on reducing carbon emissions.

Johnson claimed it had “become unfashionable” to talk about the previous COP conference that was held in Glasgow last year.

He argued that the UK-hosted COP “was a fantastic global success” which was “doing a huge a mount of good for the planet”.

Johnson said he wanted to use his appearance in Egypt to “talk a little bit about how I see things and how we see things in the UK”. He called the meeting to limit global emissions a “fantastic global success” which did “a huge amount of good for the planet”.

Johnson pushed for a greener economy during his tenure in Downing Street until he was forced to quit after a series of scandals.

Rishi Sunak, who was appointed prime minister on October 25, has been condemned for announcing that he will not be at the summit at the Egyptian Red Sea resort.

He was also criticised for downgrading the post of the government’s COP26 minister Alok Sharma and climate minister Graham Stuart, preventing them from attending cabinet.

Sunak’s spokesman on October 27 cited the PM’s “pressing domestic commitments” linked to the disastrous economic plans of Johnson’s short-lived immediate successor Liz Truss.

But on Tuesday his spokesman said his attendance was “under review”.

Johnson’s confirmation that he will be there could persuade Sunak to change his mind, given the reported bad blood between the pair.

As finance minister, Sunak was among the first of Johnson’s cabinet colleagues to resign in protest at his leadership, triggering a raft of others in government to quit.

King Charles III, a longstanding advocate for the environment since his days as heir to the throne, will not attend COP27 but will host a pre-COP reception at Buckingham Palace on Friday.

The UK is the current holder of the COP presidency, after hosting the summit in Glasgow last year.

Alok Sharma, the UK’s COP26 president, is among those saying the prime minister to go.

Johnson also used his Sky interview to say Russian President Vladimir Putin “would be crazy” to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Johnson said using a nuclear weapon would mean Mr Putin “would immediately tender Russia’s resignation from the club of civilised nations”. The former UK leader said it would be a “total disaster” for Russia, which would be put into a “cryogenic economic freeze”. Putin would also “lose a lot of the middle ground of global tacit acquiescence that he’s had”, Johnson added.

ALSO READ-Boris Johnson pulls out of UK PM race

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UAE-UK roundtable explores industrial investments

Delegates also discussed the future of supply chain opportunities in a post-pandemic world….reports Asian Lite News

UK-based industrial companies have attended a business roundtable meeting in Abu Dhabi hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).

The meeting took place on 1st November on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2022.

Senior business leaders met with Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, who delivered a presentation on the UAE’s FDI value proposition including the incentives and enablement solutions under Make it in the Emirates initiative. Representatives from ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and TAZIZ also delivered presentations ahead of a general discussion between delegates.

Delegates also discussed the future of supply chain opportunities in a post-pandemic world. As well as networking with stakeholders, Al Suwaidi introduced them to the Make it in the Emirates campaign, an open invitation to industrials, investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs to benefit from the UAE’s exceptional value proposition.

Attendees included representatives from companies including: AISUS Group; Aquaterra Energy; Cargostore; Elmac Technologies; EthosEnergy; Evoqua Water Technologies; Kent; MRDS; Norco Group Limited; Central Wire Industries UK, Energy Industries Council, Precision Impulse; Proserv; Safelift Offshore; Saturn FE; Scottish Development International (SDI); Shipham Valves; and Whittaker Engineering Ltd.

Clean hydrogen

According to a new report released last month, the UAE and UK have a global leadership opportunity in developing clean hydrogen, through a broad collaboration involving policy, innovation, trade, and investment.

The report is a joint initiative between the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) and Zest Associates, a UAE-based sustainability consultancy, and sponsored by HSBC.

The report draws on insights and studies from nearly 100 international hydrogen experts to prioritise 39 areas across policies, innovation, investment, infrastructure, supply, demand and skills, adding substantially to the world’s body of knowledge on the subject. Initial findings were shared at the World Green Economy Summit 2022.

“We remain committed to achieve our wise leadership’s vision and directives to foster the transition towards the green economy. We have an ambitious strategy to produce and leverage green hydrogen, which represents one of the pillars of a sustainable future that depends on accelerating the transition to carbon neutrality to support a green economy. This study is part of our efforts to support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of WGEO, a UAE-based international platform that builds coalitions to enable green economic growth worldwide.

“This report shows how the UAE and the UK can forge a robust partnership to develop the green hydrogen sector. We have seen strong actions and willingness to cooperate from the public and private sectors in both countries, but to fully realise the economic and environmental potential of green hydrogen, more and faster measures must be taken. This aligns with WGEO’s commitment to a global economic transition through sharing best global experiences and practices that are key pillars for this development.”

ALSO READ: Arab summit begins in Algeria

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UK, Japan strengthen cooperation

To coincide with the MoC signing, the UK has sent a delegation of digital experts to take part in workshops, teach-ins and policy exchanges with Japan’s Digital Agency…reports Asian Lite News

The UK was represented remotely by Minister Jeremy Quin and in-person by Government Digital Service CEO Tom Read. Japan was represented by Digital Transformation Minister KONO Taro and the ceremony took place in Tokyo.

The MoC establishes links between the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS) and Japan’s Digital Agency. The two agencies will work together to exchange knowledge and strategies to promote the adoption, design and diffusion of digital tools and services across public sectors in the UK and Japan.

Cooperation will also focus on sharing best practices in training and building technical capabilities across government departments and agencies, and delivering greater efficiencies in government procurement and spending.

To coincide with the MoC signing, the UK has sent a delegation of digital experts to take part in workshops, teach-ins and policy exchanges with Japan’s Digital Agency.

UK’s Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Minister Jeremy Quin said, “The UK and Japan are two of the largest, most advanced economies in the world, with thriving tech sectors and clear ambitions to become world leaders in digital. By sharing expertise in areas like digital government transformation, we look to support each other in delivering better services and unlocking greater opportunities for our citizens and businesses.”

Japan’s Digital Transformation Minister KONO Taro said, “The UK is an important partner for Japan and we are working together to maximise the benefits of digital. We are happy to welcome the GDS delegation as we have learned from the UK’s experience in delivering our own digital government initiatives, like the establishment of the Digital Agency. By sharing expertise and lessons learned, we are assisting each other in promoting digital transformation in the government and across society to ensure no one is left behind.”

The MoC comes after the UK and Japan announced deepening digital collaboration in May 2022, which covers all facets of joint digital priorities including digital infrastructure, data, digital regulation and standards as well as digital transformation.

ALSO READ-Japan PM lauds Shinkansen bullet train project in India

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UK warns Russia over N-weapons use in Ukraine

Russia raises alarm about Ukrainian 'dirty bomb'

Russia’s defence ministry said on Saturday that British navy personnel blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month…reports Asian Lite News

Britain on Monday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of severe consequences if Moscow uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying such a step would change the nature of the conflict.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also urged Russia not to impede grain exports, and said that “increasingly desperate statements” from the Kremlin were designed to distract from its faltering war effort.

“No other country is talking about nuclear use. No country is threatening Russia or President Putin,” Cleverly told lawmakers.

“He should be clear that for the UK and our Allies, any use, at all, of nuclear weapons would change the nature of the conflict. There would be severe consequences for Russia.”

Russia’s defence ministry said on Saturday that British navy personnel blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month.

The Russian ministry also said that “British specialists” from the same unit directed Ukrainian drone attacks on ships of Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea on Saturday

Cleverly did not directly reference those comments. Without detailing what he was referring to, he said: “Now the Kremlin is resorting to peddling false claims, churning out invented stories that say more about the fractures within Russia’s government than they do about us.”

ALSO READ-Braverman calls migrant crisis an ‘invasion’, faces heat

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MBZ receives phone call from UK’s Sunak

President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Rishi Sunak on his election as UK new Prime Minister, wishing him success in his new duties…reports Asian Lite News

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has received a phone call from UK’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

During the call, the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and ways to enhance them across various fields, including economic development, state news agency WAM reported.

They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of interest.

President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Rishi Sunak on his election as UK new Prime Minister, wishing him success in his new duties.

“The UAE and UK share a deeply-rooted history of friendship and partnership, and I look forward to building on our strong ties to benefit our two nations and our people,” Sheikh Mohamed said.

For his part, Sunak thanked Sheikh Mohamed for his sincere wishes, underscoring the strong ties between the two friendly countries, WAM reported.

Rishi Sunak.(photo:instagram/Twitter)

Sunak may attend COP27

Rishi Sunak could make a U-turn by going to the COP27 climate summit in Egypt, media reported. The UK Prime Minister is reconsidering after sparking a backlash by saying he would be too busy assembling the crucial Budget package in the coming weeks.

His predecessor Boris Johnson is considering going to the meeting in Egypt next month, causing anxiety in No10 about Sunak being outflanked, Daily Mail reported.

Environment minister Mark Spencer said this morning he would like to see Sunak join the gathering ‘if he’s got time’.

“I think the Prime Minister has a huge inbox. He’s come into office, he’s got an inbox which is full to the brim. Clearly he wants to concentrate on the financial statement and that’s what he’s doing,” he told Sky News.

“But if he’s able to get through all of that, you know, COP is very important. It’s very important to the Government, it’s important to our future, so we’ll send out senior ministers, but that’s yet to be decided who’s going to go.”

Asked if he would like to see Sunak attend the summit, he said: “If he’s got time. Only he will know what he’s got in his inbox and in his diary, if he has the time, but he’ll make that call and I’m sure it’ll be the right one.”

Allies of Rishi Sunak told the Financial Times his priority was ‘first and foremost’ domestic issues, but he may also go to the meeting in Egypt.

A source said whether he goes ‘depends on progress’ tackling the economic crisis and drawing up the Autumn Statement on November 17.

ALSO READ: COP27, COP28 promote joint climate action: UAE envoy

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Braverman terms migrant crisis an invasion, draws flak

Suella Braverman

During her address, Home Secretary said some 40,000 people have arrived on the south coast in 2022 with many of them members of criminal gangs…reports Asian Lite News

Indian-origin Suella Braverman, already under fire over her re-appointment as the UK Home Secretary, has sparked off another outrage by comparing migrant crisis in the country to “invasion”.

Braverman, who was forced to resign from her position under former Prime Minister Liz Truss for breaching the ministerial code of conduct, said on Monday that migrants have launched an “invasion on our southern coast”.

“Let’s stop pretending that they are all refugees in distress,” she said while responding to questions in the House of Commons amid concerns about conditions at the Manston processing site in Kent.

Manston, a former military base in Kent, opened as a processing centre in February this year, for the growing number of migrants reaching the UK in small boats.

Addressing the MPs for the first time since her re-appointment last week, the Home Secretary said some 40,000 people have arrived on the south coast in 2022 with many of them members of criminal gangs.

“Disgusted to hear Suella Braverman say there’s an ‘invasion on our southern coast’. Language like this whips up hate and spreads division,” the Daily Mirror quoted Labour MP Zarah Sultana as saying.

“For Suella Braverman to use language like ‘invasion’, to describe refugees. people who are themselves escaping conflict. is offensive. They know what being invaded feels like. We are lucky that most of us do not,” Clare Moseley, from refugee charity Care4Calais, told The Evening Standard.

Braverman, who admitted to using her personal email six times for official documents, made the remarks days after fellow Indian-origin Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that “compassion” would be at the heart of his administration.

“Rishi Sunak pledged to bring integrity, professionalism and accountability as Prime Minister. Instead, he brought back Suella Braverman,” local media reports quoted Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, as saying.

After questions on asylum centres being overcrowded, disease-ridden and dangerous, Braverman admitted that “the system is broken” and “Illegal migration is out of control”.

She also denied blocking the use of hotels for asylum seekers, which put pressure on the Manston processing centre designed for 1,600 people

“Indeed since I took over 12,000 people have arrived, 9,500 people have been transferred out of Manston or Western Jet Foil, many of them into hotels,” Braverman said.

ALSO READ: Sunak faces ‘Labour’ heat over Braverman pick

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India ramps up visa processing in Britain

German student visa norms for Indians get tough

The UK is one of the key source markets for Indian tourism, but its citizens are not eligible for e-visas…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian High Commission in the UK is opening a new visa processing facility in central London and initiating measures to facilitate group tours from November 1.

“The number of appointments we have been able to do has increased greatly to about 40,000 per month thanks to our partners at VFS,” he said in the video message,” High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami said in a video message on Friday.

He said that a visa processing facility is being set up in central London to increase access, and a new process is being introduced for those travelling together to the same destination on the same flight. Tourists will also have the option of a visa at doorstep service for a fee.

These steps come following complaints of visa delays that have resulted in trip cancellations. According to local media reports, British citizens have been finding it difficult to secure visa appointments with fully booked slots at some of the centres until mid-November. There have also been complaints regarding changes in rules that require applicants to remain present in person at a visa application centre and not use the services of an agent. The High Commission, however, denied changing any rules.

The UK is one of the key source markets for Indian tourism, but its citizens are not eligible for e-visas. Over 160,000 British citizens visited India in 2021, accounting for 10.75 per cent of all tourist arrivals. UK was India’s third largest source market after the US and Bangladesh.

In October, the Indian Association of Tour Operators wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the restoration of e-visa facilities for British and Canadian citizens. “Due to non-availability of e-tourist visa for UK, Canada and other source markets we are losing huge business as tourists from these countries are opting for alternative destinations,” IATO had said.

ALSO READ-Advantage India as Hong Kong announces new visa scheme

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Review of counter-terror strategy to tackle threats

London, United Kingdom. The flags at Number 10 Downing Street have been lowered to half mast after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 10 Downing Street. Picture by Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street

The update will take into account a series of important reviews, including the second volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, set to be published next week…reports Asian Lite News

The government will carry out a wholesale refresh of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, to protect its citizens from new, emerging and persistent threats.

In the UK and overseas, there has been a shift towards self-initiated terrorists operating independently from organised groups with increasingly personal ideologies, warped views used to justify violence.

The tactics and methodologies used by terrorists are diversifying and becoming increasingly fragmented.

To meet those threats, the counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) will be updated to reflect these new challenges. This will involve seeking a diverse range of views and engaging security experts from across the UK and overseas, so that CONTEST continues to robustly protect the British public from terrorist threats.

Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said, “Terrorists seek to divide us and sow hatred. We will not let them. Our commitment to the values we cherish is too strong. But as the nature of terrorism continues to evolve and endure, so must we. We will ensure that our response to the terror threat continues to be world-leading and ensure we have a strategy that allows people to go about their lives freely and with confidence.”

The update will take into account a series of important reviews, including the second volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, set to be published next week.

In addition, the findings from the Independent Review of Prevent, led by William Shawcross, will strengthen the government’s ability to stop individuals being drawn into terrorism in the first place.

The government will do everything possible to strengthen the UK’s protection against terrorist attacks.

This includes a renewed commitment to introduce the Protect Duty, which will enhance the safety of public venues while avoiding placing additional burden on small businesses.

The UK counter-terror system already encompasses the efforts of more than 20 government departments and agencies.

Since 2017 alone, more than 200 recommendations have been implemented in response to terrorist attacks, including the creation of the world’s first multi-organisational Counter Terrorism Operations Centre, in London in June 2021.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes said, “Since its launch in 2003, CONTEST has proved to be an enduring and effective strategic framework for the UK’s counter terrorism response, but it shouldn’t stand still. Today’s threat is dominated by increasingly fragmented ideologies, self-initiated terrorism, and the reach of hateful online ideologies into the lives of the young people.”

It is vital that any future strategy reflects these learnings and also looks forward to the collaborations we will need in the future to keep people safe.

Counter Terrorism Policing, uniquely, has made an evolving contribution to all four pillars of the CONTEST strategy and will continue to be at the heart of our preparedness for the terrible moments when attacks happen.

The government expects to publish an updated and enhanced version of CONTEST next year. In the meantime, it will continue to deliver a counter-terror strategy to keep the public safe.

ALSO READ-Need zero tolerance to all forms of terror, says Murmu

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Anger over Sunak’s COP27 snub

Rishi Sunak.(photo:instagram/Twitter)

Instead of attending COP27, Sunak will speak at a reception for business and environmental leaders to be hosted by the king at Buckingham Palace this Friday, two days before COP27 begins…reports Asian Lite News

Rishi Sunak’s decision to snub the COP27 UN climate talks has angered countries around the world.

Several countries are in dismay. Carlos Fuller, Belize’s ambassador to the UN, said: “I can understand why the king was asked not to attend – keeping him out of the fray. However, as the principal UK policymaker and the COP26 president, the PM should have led the summit. It seems as if they are washing their hands of leadership.”

Sunak’s reason for not going – to concentrate on Britain’s economic statement – was questioned. Mohamed Nasheed, speaker of the Maldives parliament and former president, said: “[It’s] very worrying that the UK thought there was anything more serious than climate change. You can count the pennies but might lose the pounds.”

Developed countries were also concerned. One senior government aide said: “It appears as if the new UK prime minister wants to wash his hands of the previously strong role the government played on international climate action. It’s another stab in the back for [COP26 president Alok] Sharma.”

The COP26 talks in Glasgow last November, headed by Boris Johnson and chaired by cabinet minister, Alok Sharma, ended with a global consensus on limiting temperature rises to 1.5C for the first time, a major diplomatic achievement that was widely lauded. Sunak attended and led discussions on climate finance, likely to be a major issue at COP27.

Instead of attending COP27, Sunak will speak at a reception for business and environmental leaders to be hosted by the king at Buckingham Palace this Friday, two days before COP27 begins. But his failure to attend the talks has raised concerns over the UK’s stance on the climate crisis, with the government handing out new oil and gas licences and tax breaks for increasing fossil fuel production.

Sunak could also be upstaged in his absence by his former boss: the Observer revealed that Johnson hopes to attend the COP27 summit, following the precedent set by formers leaders including Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

One Commonwealth diplomat said: “For all Boris Johnson’s ills, no one can reasonably accuse him of ignoring or not prioritising climate action. The UK has benefited from the leadership of Alok Sharma and Lord Goldsmith.

“One hopes [Sunak’s stance] is not a backsliding of the positions the UK has taken in recent years on both areas.”

It is unusual for the head of state of an important Cop not to attend the handover. After convening the landmark Paris agreement of 2015, French president François Hollande was warmly received at the following UN climate Cop, in Marrakech, the Guardian reported.

The UK still holds the presidency of the UN negotiations, until the reins are handed over to the Egyptian government at the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. This puts the British government in a key position in the long-running climate talks, and the prime minister would normally be expected to hold closed-door bilateral meetings with counterparts around the world, focusing on the climate but including other subjects, such as the Ukraine war and the global economic crisis.

Rachel Kyte, a former senior World Bank official who is now dean of the Fletcher school at Tufts University in the US, and a close observer of Cops, said the war in Ukraine and the UK’s geopolitical relations were also key reasons to go.

“A lot of the world is sitting on the sidelines, impacted by the war but not throwing in its lot with our defence of values in Ukraine,” she said. “We need to be with them on what is important for them if we want them with us on what is important for us. You can’t build relationships unless you turn up.”

Leaders including Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Emmanuel Macron of France, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and UN secretary-general, António Guterres, will play key roles at Cop27. There is a question mark over US president Joe Biden, who faces midterm elections, but his special envoy John Kerry will be at the talks throughout.

The Egyptian government voiced “disappointment” at Sunak’s decision.

Paul Bledsoe, a former Clinton White House climate adviser now with the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington DC, pointed to a global failing by right-wing leaders on the climate crisis. “No priority is more important than climate change, which is a meltdown of the actual world, not just the vanity of Tory politics,” he said. “Conservative governments around the world, especially America’s radical Republican party, have got to get their heads out of the sand.”

ALSO READ-Sunak faces ‘Labour’ heat over Braverman pick

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Sunak faces ‘Labour’ heat over Braverman pick

Newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving No10 Downing Street for his first Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons. 10 Downing Street. Picture by Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have raised “national security” concerns over the appointment, as well as called for a Cabinet Office probe….reports Asian Lite News

Labour is urging the government to publish its assessments of Suella Braverman’s security breach following her controversial reappointment as UK home secretary just six days after she was forced out, local media reported.

New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure over reinstating Braverman as home secretary after a former party chair claimed she had committed “multiple breaches” of the ministerial code, Sky News reported.

He has so far resisted demands to launch an inquiry after she shared a sensitive document with a Tory backbencher from a personal email without permission, Sky News reported.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have raised “national security” concerns over the breach, as well as called for a Cabinet Office probe.

Labour will try to push ministers to share risk assessments of this and other alleged leaks, as well as the information given to Sunak before he reinstalled her at the Home Office, with a “humble address” motion in Parliament.

Braverman has so far refused to appear before MPs to explain the circumstances surrounding what happened.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman cannot keep running away from these questions. It is far too serious for that, and raises serious doubts about the prime minister’s judgement.

suella braverman

“People need to know they can trust the Home Secretary with highly sensitive information and our national security. Rishi Sunak’s decision to reappoint Suella Braverman was deeply irresponsible.

“Labour will use every parliamentary mechanism open to force government to come clean over her reappointment, to get answers and to require detailed documents to be released to the Intelligence & Security Committee”, Sky News reported.

Braverman resigned from her post just over a week ago after using her personal email address to forward sensitive government documents, breaking the rules that ministers have to abide by.

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