Dear Members and Friends,
It’s going to take some time for the full implications of the Trump Administration’s decisions not only to suspend almost all its active foreign assistance programmes but also to absorb USAID into the State Department with all that is likely to entail. While Secretary of State Rubio has confirmed that the US will still fund international development, it’s clear that they will look very different, in sector focus and geography, from what we’ve become used to and will have huge implications for many of our members and for individuals, both those employed directly by USAID and those working on US-funded programmes. The ripple effect will reach into other bilateral donors, many of which are already under financial pressure, the multilaterals as well as foundations and philanthropies, some of which are looking to step up. That’s a lot to absorb: I’m sure that our network can play a valuable role for members and stakeholders as they try to move forward.
As far as the UK is concerned, we still await the publication of the reviews commissioned by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, including that by Baroness Shafik on international development capacity which will help inform the Government’s strategic look at its development priorities. This is all the more important in the new international context and provides a real opportunity to ask where the UK should aim to make the greatest impact with the resources it has. Following recent discussions with members, we want to work with you to provide active input into these discussions. We will look at the “what”: the sectors and initiatives where UK expertise can best support not only the development priorities but also the Government’s overarching Missions. But also the “how”, including the best ways to deliver UK programmes which combine local ownership with strategic direction and accountability for UK taxpayers’ money. This input will take the form of a series short interventions to support a range of discussions with stakeholders and I hope you will be able to work with us, sharing ideas and examples and joining in the conversations, to give this real impact.
On Tuesday this week, we hosted an event with the International Finance Corporation, highlighting how the IFC works with the private sector to support initiatives that address challenges in the sectors our members work in, emphasising projects that deliver social and environmental benefits alongside economic returns. We were joined in person by Andrea Engel, the Head of the World Bank Group’s London Office and IFC Country Head for UK, Ireland, Spain, who is also the Co-chair of the IFC Women’s Network. We also had three speakers join us online from across Europe: Ladan Pazhouhandeh, Senior Investment Officer; Anne Nouviaire, Senior Investment Officer; and Isidora Gajic, Associate Investment Officer. They explored how BEI members can engage with IFC’s strategic priorities in agribusiness and education, as well as providing an overview of the work done by IFC’s Transaction and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) advisory unit.
On Wednesday we hosted an online event on Market Opportunities in the Philippines. We were delighted to be joined by colleagues from DBT in Manila for an interesting discussion on the UK-Philippines trade and investment relationship and opportunities for UK organisations across infrastructure, energy and technology.
On Thursday, we hosted a very topical discussion on Disinformation and Countering Divisive Narratives with Sarah Prunier-Duparge, Civil Society and Inclusive Governance Technical Lead at People in Need; David Quin, Managing Director Europe at M&C Saatchi World Services; and Alasdair Stuart, Senior Advisor (Governance and Rights) and Senior Researcher at BBC Media Action. The event considered, in an increasingly divided world, the importance of enabling citizens to have tools to combat disinformation as a way of preventing further social fragmentation. Speakers showcased their work in tackling disinformation at all levels of society, including monitoring and understanding divisive narratives, work with grassroots organisations on media-literacy programming, and on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
Also on Thursday, we held the first meeting of our new Strategy International Skills Working Group jointly with our (UK-focused) sister organisation D Group and with the support of Jonathan Ledger and his team from DBT. Across Strategy International we are fortunate to have a strong group of members actively engaged in the Skills Agenda from multiple perspectives. This group will develop a programme of work on closing the UK skills gap informed, we hope, also by the experience of BEI members working around the world. Please do get in touch if you would like to get involved: the next meeting will take place (virtually) in late March.
A reminder that the deadline is upon us to express an interest in our education trade mission to Kazakhstan, which is being scheduled for 17-21 March. This trade mission follows on from the our recent round tables with Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the DBT mission last October. The mission will visit both Astana and Almaty and, will engage with the Government of Kazakhstan, leading educational institutions as well as private sector organisations including investors with an interest in both school and higher education. It will be relevant for UK institutions, specialist education providers and those working in education infrastructure. If you have not yet expressed interest and would like to receive more information, please do so now, by contacting Amalie.
Those with an interest in safeguarding may like to join a session on the UK Worker Protection Act on 26 February at 10:00. The panel will be hosted by Sarah Maguire, member of the SLN Coordination Group, with contributions by: Rebecca Thomas, Head of Employment Policy at the Equality and Human Rights Commission; Peter Taylor, Head of Safeguarding Unit at FCDO; and Suzy Jirh, HR Manager at Tetra Tech. The panel will discuss the new UK legal obligation on employers, which took effect last October, to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of their staff. To join, simply use this link.
One of the recent speakers at our sister organisation D Group, who has what is by any standards a huge corporate job, told us how he has learned the need to “rest hard” as well as “work hard”. I hope that, with all that’s going on right now, you’re able to manage a restful break over the 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
Key events coming up include the following:
- 20th February 2025 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: Unlocking Potential: Expanding Affordable Housing Solutions in Africa - BEI members Altair alongside their partners Shelter Afrique, the pan African housing finance development bank, and the Nigeria-based multi-disciplinary property services company, Modern Shelter are delighted to invite you to join a free webinar exploring affordable housing solutions in Africa.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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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