Dear Members and Friends,
With our focus on Climate Change, I wanted to signpost a useful report on this topic. The sixth edition of the Energy Transition Outlook Report, written by DNV (a global expert in assurance and risk management based in Norway) recently highlighted a number of key issues. Commenting on the path to Net Zero, the report comments that rather than achieving the 1.5°c target, we are heading towards a 2.2°c warming and that significant acceleration will be needed to secure net zero by 2050. This means that regions and sectors will have to go much further and faster. The report goes on to comment that OECD regions must be net zero by 2043 and net negative thereafter, and that China needs to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050. To achieve Net Zero, renewable electricity, hydrogen and bioenergy are essential, but insufficient: almost a quarter of net decarbonization relies on carbon capture and removal combined with land-use changes (reduced deforestation). You can access a copy of this report here: Energy Transition Outlook — DNV.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Climate Change Networking Evening on 1st November when we will discuss this and other critical issues in the run up to COP27. You can register for this event here.
A brief schedule for the events in the next two week is as follows:
17th October: Doing Business with the EBRD
In-person event at 23 Grafton Street with option to join virtually. 14:00–16:30 BST. We will hear about the European Bank For Reconstruction and Development’s strategy, guidance on its procurement processes and how to navigate them, and an overview of EBRD’s Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility.
18th October: Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills at the OECD
Virtual event 10:00–11:30 BST. During this session Andreas will provide policy advice and analysis drawn from OECD’s Future of Education and Skills 2030 project.
18th October: Mexico Education Deep Dive with DIT
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 BST. Julio Evaristo, Head of Education, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Cassandra Vargas, Trade Officer for Education, Health and Life Sciences will provide us with an insight into the key education priorities and an overview of their pipeline.
20th October: Thailand Education Deep Dive with DIT
Virtual event 09:00–10:30 BST. Join us for a deep dive into the education opportunities in Thailand led by the Department for International Trade. The quality of education Thailand still remains a weak point for the country’s human development.
20th October: OMFIF/ABSA Africa Financial markets Index Report
In-person briefing and networking reception at 23 Grafton Street. 16:30–19:00 BST.
Presentation of findings of OMFIF/ABSA Africa Financial markets Index report. Since its launch in 2017, the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index has shone a light on the opportunities for investment in the region. Now returning for its sixth edition, it is a vital part of policy makers and market participants toolkits and a benchmark for international investors looking to commit to the region
25th October: Extreme Weather and Climate Resilience Roundtable with the Caribbean Development Bank
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 BST. Join us for a virtual roundtable discussion with representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank and members of the BEI Climate Change Working Group as we explore synergies and share knowledge around the three topics: Climate Resilient Building Assessment, Early Warning System Design and Environmental and Social Safeguarding.
26th October: Climate Finance: The Development Finance Institutions’ Perspective
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 BST. This session will outline and discuss the definitions, focus, plans and priorities of climate finance from the point of view of three DFIs: EBRD, BII and IFC.
26th October: BEI Education and Skills workshop and networking evening
In-person workshop and reception at 23 Grafton Street. 16:30 for 17.00–18.30 BST.
This event will mark the first activity of the newly launched Skills & Training Working Group and aims to bring together Skills and Training providers from across a range of sectors such as education, climate, construction and defence. Our first event’s format will consist of a brainstorming exercise on the current Skills and Training context from a supply and demand perspective, followed by a discussion on current barriers and funding available.
Please note that in the w/c 31st October, we will be running two in-person Regional Events. On October 31st we will host an event with a regional focus on the Middle East, covering the markets of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Pakistan. We will be joined by the five DIT Trade Directors and the Head of the MEaP International Markets Team.
On Nov 3rd, we welcome Jonathan Knott, DIT’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean for an in person briefing on the export opportunities for UK-based businesses across the region. This will be followed by a networking drinks reception featuring regional flavours from 18:00 to 19:30pm (GMT).
Very Best Wishes
Peter O’Kane
Chairman
British Expertise International/Strategy International
Longer Term View of Events
31st October: Middle East Regional Market Overview
In-person briefing at 23 Grafton Street. 13:00 for 13:30–17:00, panel and reception.
Covering Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon and Jordan.
1st November: Climate Change Networking Evening
In-Person event at 23 Grafton Street. 17:00–19:30, Presentation and reception with Jane Wilkinson, Head of Climate Change and Environment Practice, ABT Britain.
2nd November: Rwanda Education Deep Dive Virtual event 12:00–13:30 GMT. Join us for a deep dive into the education opportunities in Rwanda led by the Department for International Trade. Anna Wilson, the Development Director at British High Commission in Kigali, will provide us with an insight into the key education priorities for UK plc looking to do business in Rwanda.
3rd November: Financing Development — Insights, Challenges & Risks
Virtual Event 10:00–11:30 GMT. Join us for an online session with representatives from BII, FCDO, CAB & ADB, who will explore the subject of financing development.
3rd November: LATAC Trade Opportunities with HMTC LATAC
In-person briefing at 23 Grafton Street. 16:30 for 17:00–19:30, panel and reception.
With Jonathan Knott — Regional Trade Commissioner for LATAC.
SAVE THE DATE: 16th November: in-person roundtable with Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Panama, Dominican Republic & Costa Rica — Rt. Hon Baroness Hooper CMG
17th November: BEI Education Working Group with Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP
We are delighted to host our quarterly in-person Education WG session which will have Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP as a speaker to discuss the International Development Strategy and his perspective on what would make an effective implementation of the strategy.
24th November: Doing Business with the Caribbean Development Bank — Session one: Infrastructure, Energy and Environment
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 GMT. The first session in this year’s ‘Doing Business with the CDB’ seminar will cover opportunities in Infrastructure, Energy and Environment. This event series provides insights on CDB’s key sector plans, a forward look on their business pipelines and opportunities, and an update on CDB’s strategic direction.
29th November: Doing Business with the Caribbean Development Bank — Session Two: Education, Social, Trade and Governance
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 GMT. The second session in this year’s ‘Doing Business with the CDB’ seminar will cover opportunities in Education, Social, Trade and Governance, whilst also providing insights on key sector plans and opportunities for UK Business.
30th November: Africa’s Development Dynamics 2022
Virtual event 10:00–11:30 GMT. Arthur Minsat, who heads the OECD Development Centre’s Unit for Africa, Middle East and Europe, will share the highlights of this flagship report prepared by the African Union Commission and of the OECD Development Centre.
Summary of events held in the last two weeks
Which feature links to meetings slides and recordings
6th October: Iran: Market Opportunity Overview with the Department for International Trade at the British Embassy, Tehran, and the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce. Recording and slides available here.
6th October: The Energy Transition: A Conversation with Carbon Tracker. Recording and slides available here.
11th October: FCDO Indonesia: Development Priorities with Amanda McLoughlin, the Development Director in Indonesia for the FCDO. Recording and slides available here.
12th October: Opportunities for Climate Resilience and Energy Transition in Uzbekistan with His Excellency Said Rustamov, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to the UK and representatives of EBRD, ADB and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy. Recording and slides available here.
13th October: Malaysia : Market Opportunity Overview with His Excellency Charles Hay MVO and his team discussing opportunities in Malaysia for UK businesses. Recording and slides available here.
Upcoming external events
3rd November: ADB Procurement Clinic, 0800–0900 GMT. Includes overview of Simplified Consultants’ Qualifications Selection pilot.
13th — 14th November: B20 Indonesia 2022. The official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community.
16th — 18th November: APEC CEO Summit Thailand. APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) is an important forum for advancing the prosperity of people and societies in the region.
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