Dear Members and Friends,
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at the Global Soft Power Summit in London. (My contribution may well be remembered but as part of the warm-up act for John Kerry’s keynote). I argued that, though we may be in what Ursula von der Leyen has recently called a “hyper-competitive and hyper-transactional geopolitics,” there is still a role for multilateralism, provided that we understand that the world has changed and flex accordingly. This change had started a long time before 20 January: we have for some time been living in a multipolar world with a lot more voices – entirely reasonably – demanding attention. International cooperation is needed now more than ever across the spectrum of challenges that face us. But it will be messier: less top-down and more in the form of (one hopes large and broad) “coalitions of the willing”. And in that world, countries will need to work even harder at burnishing their reputation in order to find reliable partners with whom to collaborate. And that’s where soft power, including, of course, international development, comes into its own.
On Thursday, we were delighted to co-curate a very interesting discussion alongside our member, Altair, Shelter Afrique, a pan-African housing finance development bank, and Modern Shelter, the Nigeria-based multi-disciplinary property services company. We were joined by a number of expert speakers: Olu Olanrewaju, Director at Altair International; Abdulmalik Mahdi, Managing Director at Modern Shelter; and Dr Muhammad Gambo, Manager Policy, Research and Partnerships at Shelter Afrique. With affordable housing being one of the most pressing challenges in Africa, the panel explored how making progress requires innovative models and active involvement from the private and public sectors. They highlighted the role of British organisations in enhancing affordable housing in Africa through advisory support for regulatory and legal reforms, capacity building, modern construction and tech, strategic housing planning, and long-term capital and investment. It was a rich and engaging session, and we look forward to working with Altair again soon.
Next week, we have a very full programme. On Monday, 24 February, we will be hosting a Brazil Water Delegation Roundtable. We will be joined by a delegation from Brazil, including two of the main utilities (SABESP and SANEPAR) as well as the regulator (ANA) and São Paulo’s planning authority (SEMIL). The delegation is coming to London to meet a range of UK-based stakeholders and discuss partnerships, collaboration and specific business opportunities in the sector.
On Tuesday, 25 February, we will host an online Education Working Group on Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools. This will feature speakers from EDT, Ardingly College, Etio and DBT, who will explore the key success factors for operational effectiveness in International Schools and how to best ensure the delivery of quality education.
On Wednesday, 26 February, we look forward to hosting a senior delegation from Mongolia for an event on opportunities for UK expertise. Although the event is now fully-booked, please do let us know if you would like a place if one becomes available. Our Climate Change Networking Evening on Thursday, 27 February, with keynote speaker Andy Blackhall, Managing Director at WRc, is also already full, but again please let us know if you would like to be on the waiting list.
Looking ahead, on Monday, 3 March have an in-person panel on Decarbonisation in Kazakhstan and Unlocking Investment Opportunities. This panel session and networking reception will bring together senior government and business stakeholders from Kazakhstan and the UK to facilitate an in-depth discussion on ways to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and industries.
As I mentioned last week, we are developing a series of actions prompted by the US decision to suspend much of USAID’s work. On 11 March, we will be holding an in-person event in conjunction with the British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) to explore the long-term implications of US President Donald Trump’s executive order on reevaluating and realigning United States Foreign Aid. This event will bring together policymakers, international development organisations, and foreign policy experts to discuss the future of development in this new landscape, and how British donors and delivery partners should react to Trump’s evolving international agenda. More on other elements in this programme of activity soon.
Finally, I wanted to mention our in person panel on 13 March on Empowering Women and Girls for a Climate-Resilient Future. This event aligns with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day: #AccelerateAction. The panel will focus on the role of climate education in accelerating action for women and girls, with a particular focus on the life skills needed for adaptation, leadership and advocacy, and collaboration between donors, international development organisations and academia.I look forward to seeing many members at one or more of our in-person events in the coming days. In the meantime, warm wishes for an (apparently) warmer weekend,
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 16th January 2025: AI and Innovation in International Development
- 21st January 2025: FCDO Development Director: Tanzania
- 21st January 2025: Harnessing Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning for evidence-based policies and programmes in Climate and Nature
- 6th February 2025: Disinformation: Countering Divisive Narratives
- 5th February 2025: Philippines - Market Opportunity Overview
- 20th February 2025: Unlocking Potential: Expanding Affordable Housing Solutions in Africa (Slides only, recording to come)
Key events coming up include the following:
- 24th February 2025 13:00 – 15:30 GMT: Brazil – Water Delegation Roundtable - Meet a Water delegation from Brazil, including two of the main utilities (SABESP and SANEPAR) alongside the regulator (ANA) and São Paulo’s planning authority (SEMIL). The delegation is coming to London to meet with a range of UK-based stakeholders and discuss partnerships, collaboration and specific business opportunities in Brazil’s water sector.
- 25th February 2025 14:00 – 15:30 GMT: Education Working Group: Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools - Join us for our February Education Working Group on Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools, with speakers from EDT, Ardingly College, Etio and DBT. The online panel will identify and explore key factors that contribute to operational effectiveness in International Schools and how to best ensure the delivery of quality education.
- 26th February 2025 13:00 – 15:30 GMT: Opportunities for UK expertise in Mongolia - Explore Mongolia's ambitious vision for economic development and infrastructure megaprojects as we welcome a senior delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan. This is a prime opportunity for UK businesses and investors to explore potential collaborations and expand their presence in Mongolia's burgeoning market.
- 27th February 2025 16:00 – 19:00 GMT: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. Our keynote speaker this time is Andy Blackhall, Managing Director of WRc. Andy will reflect on his career and his hopes for the future.
- 3rd March 2025 15:30– 17:00 GMT: Decarbonisation in Kazakhstan: Unlocking Investment Opportunities - This panel session and networking reception will bring together senior government and business stakeholders from Kazakhstan and the UK to facilitate an in-depth discussion on ways to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and industry.
- 6th March 2025 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: Angola – Market Opportunity Overview - This webinar, featuring speakers from the Department for Business and Trade based in Angola, alongside the Angolan Investment Board (AIPEX), will provide insights on the current business climate, policy frameworks, and opportunities for trade and investment in Angola with a focus on the Agribusiness, Infrastructure and Education sectors.
- 11th March 2025 11:00 – 12:00 GMT: FCDO Development Director Series: Kenya - Join us as we host Leigh Stubblefield, Development Director in Kenya for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Kenya.
- 11th March 2025 14:00 – 17:00 GMT: USAID and Beyond: What Next for International Development? - Join us for an in-person panel event with the British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG), exploring the long-term implications of US President Donald Trump’s executive order on reevaluating and realigning United States Foreign Aid.
- 13th March 2025 16:00 – 19:00 GMT: Empowering Women and Girls for a Climate-Resilient Future - Join us for a panel and networking evening on the topic of Empowering Women and Girls for a Climate-Resilient Future. This event will explore the role of climate education in #AcceleratingAction for women and girls, with a particular focus on the life skills needed for adaptation, leadership and advocacy, and collaboration between donors, international development organisations and academia.
External Events:
- 25th & 26th February 2025: World Water Tech Innovation Summit - The World Water-Tech Innovation Summit is the premier networking event for water leaders, investors and innovators to share and showcase best practice in delivering climate-resilient, energy-efficient water systems. The summit returns to London on February 25-26, 2025, bringing together forward-thinking water utilities, regulators, engineering firms, investors and start-ups from around the world for two days of pivotal discussions, partnership building, and innovation discovery.
- 26th February 2025: UK Worker Protection Act Webinar: Join from 10:00 - 11:00 GMT for a session on the UK Worker Protection Act, an event hosted by the Safeguarding Leads Network, with presentations from Rebecca Thomas, Head of Employment Policy / Equality and Human Rights Commission; Peter Taylor, Head of Safeguarding Unit / FCDO; and Suzy Jirh, HR Manager / Tetra Tech. To join, simply use this link.
- 4th - 13th March 2025: Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific: Meet the Experts 2025 - UK companies will have the opportunity to explore opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region through a Roadshow programme run by the UK Government between 4th and 13th March. The programme, across all the four nations of the UK, aims to provide advice on a range of issues faced by companies. If you are interested in infrastructure, be sure to join the 12th March session in London on Scaling-up Sustainable Infrastructure, exploring the scale and scope of infrastructure across SE Asia and India.
- 11th March 2025:Marketing for growth in international settings webinar with Jonathan Ledger, Skills and Professional Bodies Specialist, International Education Team, Department for Business and Trade - These 90-minute webinars will provide skills and training providers with essential insights on how to effectively shape and tailor their marketing strategies for international markets. Participants will learn how to align their marketing approaches with specific country needs and ambitions, ensuring their messaging resonates with target cohorts.If you are interested, please contact Amalie (ac@britishexpertise.org) for further information.
- 11th & 12th March 2025: 4th UN International Procurement Seminar with the United Nations at the UN City, Copenhagen. This two-day seminar will include panel discussions, presentations from the UN Agencies and inform suppliers about procurement needs, procedures and how to do business with the UN. There is also a unique opportunity to request 1-2-1 meetings with the 10 participating Agencies & 2 Development Banks.
- 7th & 8th May 2025: Global Leakage Summit - The premier event for the international leakage community to listen, learn, and build relationships, tackling the toughest challenges together. 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.
- 2nd - 6th June 2025: Asia Clean Energy Forum 2025 at ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines. This is one of ADB’s signature events where clean energy practitioners from across the world convene to share insights and experience in the design and implementation of concrete actions that accelerate the financing of clean and efficient energy solutions. Registration will be open soon. For more details on how the 2024 ACEF transpired, you may refer to this link: Home ACEF 2024 - Asia Clean Energy Forum.
- 3rd - 5th September 2025, KazBuild 2025, Kazakhstan: Stand booking is now open for international exhibitors at KazBuild exhibition in Kazakhstan - the largest international building and interiors exhibition in Kazakhstan, annually welcoming over 7,000 specialist trade visitors to the show. KazBuild will be held 3-5 September 2025 in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan. Held since 1994, the exhibition showcases the latest products, services, technologies, and projects available on the market, and provides a key platform for governmental and building industry professionals to exchange experiences, establish cooperation and share the latest industry developments. Please contact Mrs. Tatyana Borodikhina by email: tatyana.borodikhina@exhibitions-conferences.com to learn more about how KazBuild can help to establish your business in Kazakhstan.
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