Dear Members and Friends,
As a former diplomat, I’m reminded of how in the early days of a new government it’s important to look out for whatever indicators you can find of where Ministers’ thinking may be going. International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds has been visiting Indonesia, which appears to confirm the Government’s interest in the Asia-Pacific region which Catherine West, Minister for Asia-Pacific, discussed with us at our meeting with ADB last month. Then Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s speech at Kew Gardens (a member of the UK Soft Power Group) has received a good deal of attention for the way it put climate and nature at the top of the foreign policy agenda. I know that a number of our members have been very much encouraged by this demonstration of commitment; we will be looking with them at how we can support FCDO more in this area. Meanwhile, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has again emphasised his interest in supporting UK SMEs to export. With our experience of working closely with SMEs in a number of sectors and some of the most exciting opportunity markets, we stand ready to help make a practical impact on these objectives and are engaging with DBT officials and others on what this might look like. We will of course get more indications of Government policy in the coming weeks, starting with the Labour Party conference next week (Strategy International colleagues will be there alongside a number of BEI members) and then of course on to the Budget at the end of October. We will be watching closely, reporting what we hear, and keeping close to the discussions.
The main event in Grafton Street this week was Tuesday’s Climate Change Networking Evening. Our keynote speaker was Dr Marcela Tarazona, Partner of the Climate Finance and Economics practice at Genesis Analytics. Marcela spoke about the just transition through the lens of her career and experience. She highlighted that the intersection of nature, people and development is central to the just transition and underlined the importance of integrating this dimension into national development plans. Marcela spoke to three interlocking questions which can help us unpick different conceptions of the just transition: what sources of climate injustice need to be addressed; what concepts of justice should be considered; and what is the scale of the response required. Please save the date for the next Climate Networking evening, on 7th November, which will feature a water-related topic.
I’m glad that a number of BEI members were able last night to attend the British Foreign Policy Group for the launch of their annual survey of UK public opinion. BFPG Director Evie Aspinall was joined by a panel of experienced political figures and foreign policy watchers to reflect on the survey’s findings on public attitudes to key questions on which major countries we trust most (or least) to spending on defence and international development, on which it’s reasonable to say there’s more work to be done by those who want to make the case. You can read the detailed report here. With BFPG we are now planning some more deep dive (qualitative and quantitative) research on attitudes to international development to inform the ongoing debate. Do get in touch if you’d like to know more and potentially to work with us on this exciting project.
On to next week, when we will on Thursday afternoon be hosting (in hybrid format, at Grafton St and virtually) a panel featuring our new members Connected Places Catapult alongside EBRD Green Cities and Mott MacDonald for a session exploring how the UK’s leadership in digitally driven infrastructure decarbonisation can be effectively adapted and scaled in emerging markets, promoting collaboration between public and private sectors.
I should also mention that there are still a few places left for the private viewing of our Philippines Embassy-sponsored exhibition “Pearls of Colour” next Wednesday, where we expect to be joined by a diverse diplomatic, business and collector audience. Details and registration at:
https://www.britishexpertise.org/product/philippines-exhibition-private-view-pearls-of-colour
Meanwhile, whether you will be in London, on your way to Labour Party Conference in Liverpool or anywhere else in the world, I wish you a good weekend.
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 10th September 2024: Ethiopia: Market Opportunity Overview
- 11th September 2024: Meeting the Global Demand for Biodiversity Credits
Key events coming up include the following:
- 23rd September 2024 15:00– 18:00 BST: Creating a Skills Agenda To Support a High Tech Economy: a Case Study and Round Table with Victor Hoskins - As the UK looks to build scale in its position as a science and technology super-power and invest in building regional hubs focused on high tech industries, join us for a fascinating round table with Victor Hoskins, President of the Fairfax County Economic Development Agency. He will examine and share how he and his team have created a skills agenda to support and underpin the economic success of the County.
- 26th September 2024 14:30 – 16:30 BST: Scaling Infrastructure Decarbonisation Through Digital in Emerging Markets - EBRD Green Cities, Connected Places Catapult and Mott MacDonald will explore how the UK’s leadership in digitally-driven infrastructure decarbonisation can be effectively adapted and scaled in emerging markets. By exploring insights from the technical, funding, and government spheres, attendees will gain actionable ideas to accelerate decarbonisation efforts within their organisations and client networks.
- 30th September 2024 09:00 – 11:00 BST: Water Resilience Working Group: Virtual Trade Mission to Jordan - Following the release of BEI Water Resilience Working Group’s recent report, ‘Water Resilience - Unlocking local and global benefits through collaboration’, members are invited to meet virtually with key government and private sector stakeholders from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
- 3rd October 2024 10:00- 11:30 BST: Education Working Group | Including everyone: Supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - Join us as we host a panel event showcasing best practice for supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in education. The panel will explore the current challenges of and approaches to SEND in an international education context through K12, Further Education and Higher Education.
- 3rd October 2024 15:00 – 16:30 BST: Innovations in Insurance for Climate Adaptation - International development organisations are actively supporting innovations in insurance to enhance climate adaptation. Our panel will discuss how some of these mechanisms are enabling investment in climate resilience while bringing co-benefits and positive social outcomes.
- 8th October 2024 12:00 – 14:30 BST: Working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - Join us at 23 Grafton Street or virtually as we host the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for an update on the bank’s strategy and guidance on navigating its procurement processes. In addition, there will be a briefing on EBRD’s infrastructure Project Preparation Facility and a review of the infrastructure project pipeline. If attending in person, please arrive from 11:30. The event will take place at 12:00-13:30, followed by networking lunch until 14:30. When registering, select ‘attend remotely via webinar’ to receive a Teams link for the 12:00-13:30 BST event.
- 14th – 17th October 2024: Azerbaijan: UK Infrastructure Trade Mission & UK Pavilion at Baku Build - Join a UK Trade Mission to Azerbaijan and participate in the UK Pavilion at the Caspian’s largest infrastructure exhibition – Baku Build. The trade mission, in partnership with the British Embassy in Baku, will include B2B and B2G activities, a networking reception at the British Ambassador’s residence, speaking opportunities and participation in the UK Pavilion at the exhibition. Places are limited to ensure each participating company receives our full attention. Participation in the British Pavilion is free of charge. Delegates will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. British Expertise International will charge an administration fee of £300+VAT for each participant. For further information and to receive the application form, please get in touch with Sasha Barnes at ab@britishexpertise.org. The administration fee will be payable upon signing the application form.
- 21st October 2024 09:00 – 16:00 BST: Engaging with USAID – UK Partners Day - Join us for our yearly BEI – USAID, UK Partners Day. We are delighted to be joined for a one-day event by senior representatives from USAID as well as welcome back Mike Shanley from Konektid International. Our speakers will run a series of panel discussion in the morning followed by an afternoon breakout session and 1-to-1 sessions which can be booked individually with each of the speakers.
- 23rd October 2024 15:00 – 16:30 BST: Argentina - Market Opportunity Overview - Argentina is a valuable trade and investment partner for the UK due to its diverse economy, rich natural resources and strategic location in South America. We are delighted to welcome DBT colleagues to share insights on Argentina’s strategic priorities and resulting opportunities for UK plc, in sectors including Infrastructure, Security and Mining.
- 12th November 2024 09:00- 10:30 GMT: Tanzania – Market Opportunity Overview - Tanzania offers a range of exciting opportunities to UK organisations in sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining, climate-resilient agriculture and skills development, as well as opportunities in the Blue Economy in Zanzibar. We are delighted to welcome a stellar panel including the new UK High Commissioner to Tanzania alongside her counterpart in the UK, as well as speakers from the Tanzania Investment Centre and UK DBT.
- 14th November 2024 10:00-11:30 GMT: Morocco – Market Opportunity Overview - Wrapping up an eventful and exciting year in UK-Morocco bilateral trade relations, we are thrilled to welcome back our colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade to share updates on recent UK achievements and future opportunities.
Register for an upcoming event →
External Events
- Wednesday 2nd October - Thursday 3rd October 2024: The Global Leakage Summit - Join presenters and panelists from leading UK and international water companies, and explore the latest technologies, data innovations, and software solutions from our exhibitors. In the face of climate change and record-high global investment in leakage management, this two-day conference promises a world-class knowledge-sharing program and invaluable networking opportunities. Follow the summit on LinkedIn here. Please do email us if you have any further questions about attending this event and we can connect you with the right partners.
- 9th - 10th October 2024: ADB Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City - The BOF 2024 is a one-stop networking forum for consultants, contractors, suppliers, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) interested in pursuing business opportunities under ADB-financed projects. Participants will learn about ongoing and upcoming ADB business opportunities and can meet with ADB sector experts and procurement specialists.
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