Thank you very much, Mr President. Thank you to Stephanie, as acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for your briefing. And we hope that we’ll be able to agree on a permanent successor for you before too long. And now I thank, through you, your staff and all that are working so hard to try to end the conflict in Libya, in what are not always the most promising circumstances and context.

Let me start by sharing the deep concern that you expressed, Stephanie, at the significant escalation in hostilities in Libya. I think you describe an unprecedented increase in direct fire in civilian areas, which is extremely concerning. The cost in civilian lives and the damage to civilian infrastructure is totally unacceptable. And attacks in civilian areas, particularly on healthcare facilities, show a complete disregard for international law and must cease. At a time when countries around the world are coming together in the face of a shared threat from COVID-19, it is unconscionable that health care facilities are among the civilian infrastructure targeted. I also want to reiterate our continuing concern, the deteriorating human rights humanitarian situation in Libya. Again, Stephanie highlighted a million people now in need of humanitarian assistance. And the Secretary-General in his report made clear the situation – including the death, injury and displacement of significant numbers of civilians – is not acceptable, that civilians, including migrants and refugees, remain at risk. The intentional cutting of electricity, fuel, water or food supplies is a potential violation of international humanitarian law.

We remain particularly concerned by further reports that external parties continue to provide material, equipment, mercenaries. All member states must abide by their international obligations, including UN Security Council resolutions. And we note in this regard further reports of activity by the Wagner Group in Libya. Wagner Group activities continue to exacerbate the conflict and prolong the suffering of the Libyan people. And I want to urge all Security Council members to abide by the resolutions of this Council, which they themselves have voted for.

We condemn the blockade of oil facilities, only harming the Libyan people, and today has led to a loss of over $4 billion. Efforts to illicitly import aviation fuel into Libya are also unacceptable, and all parties must uphold the integrity and unity of the National Oil Corporation.

But there will not be a military victory, not least because the foreign actors involved in this war won’t permit. So an inclusive political solution, as set out in the Berlin Conference, offers the best hope for the stability and future prosperity that the Libyan people need and deserve. And we call on the LNA to engage substantively with the UN drafted ceasefire document of 23rd February, as the GNA have recently done. The United Kingdom reaffirms its support for Libya’s internationally recognised and legitimate institutions as agreed in the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement and as recognised by this Council.

Mr President, the United Kingdom is consistent in its belief that if the warring parties and their backers have the interests of the Libyan people at heart, they would cease fighting, cease the attacks on civilians, cease private or unilateral initiatives, and instead get behind the United Nations and the inclusive political solution. It is the only hope and it is what the Libyan people need and deserve after these years of conflict.

Let me just ask a question, if I may, Stephanie. I wondered if you could say whether there has been any change in the public mood and in public support for, or public attitudes towards the conflict since the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether there are any signs, the calculations of any of the parties to the conflict are being affected by that public view.

Thank you very much.

During the UK’s response to COVID-19, a number of third-party apps and websites have been collecting COVID-19 symptom data in order to track the spread of the virus.

The apps or websites encourage users to submit their symptoms and basic demographic data.

What is Project OASIS

jHub has been brought in to provide assistance, coordination and coherence of the COVID-19 symptom tracker apps; including facilitating the secure transfer of relevant symptom and epidemiology data from the third party COVID-19 apps to NHSX.

How does it work?

jHub will receive and review the data, removing any information which may inadvertently identify users, ensuring that only symptom and demographic data is included. The data will then be checked for any security issues, with any incorrect or duplicate data also being erased.

jHub will then securely share the data with NHSX, (NHS England) which will then be used to inform their COVID-19 response by giving a clearer understanding as to which areas in the UK the virus is spreading and how quickly.

With the personal nature of the data being collected, Project OASIS will adhere to strict controls to ensure the data sharing meets data protection legislation.

Natasha Gedge, the Chief Operating Officer at jHub, has been working on this project and had this to say:

At jHub, we are always working to deliver for UK Defence and we are proud to be able to take our approach, and apply it in support of the NHS and the people of the UK

Andrew Buckley, an innovation scout working at the medical section of jHub, jHubMed, also added his thoughts:

Symptom tracking really is a forecasting super power, tightly binding decisions at the highest level to the day-to-day experience of our valuable contributors. It’s fantastic and humbling to be at jHub, working closely with NHSX, to yolk the innovation and energy of our extraordinary app community and help beat Covid!

Lauren Harkins, Project OASIS, NHSX added:

OASIS is industry, academia, jHub and the NHS working together to understand the spreads and help control the COVID-19 virus. The App providers demonstrated their ingenuity from the outset of the pandemic, capturing vital information which the NHS will be using to make lifesaving decisions. We are thankful to everyone involved with this important project.

Symptom tracking apps working with the NHS and jHub

NHSX and jHub are only working with apps that have been assessed to the NHS Digital Health Technology Standard or against the Digital Assessment Questionnaire (DAQ).

At the time of writing NHSX and jHub have been working with the following App Providers, with more to be announced shortly:

1. Agitate Ink C-19
2. Connected Cognition – connectedcognition.org
3. Corona-Help UK
4. Evergreen Life
5. LetsBeatCovid-19
6. TrackTogether
7. Your.MD
8. ZOE

Related articles:

• Exports boom for Levity Crop Science after firm expands into US and other new markets
• In 2020, sales of the firm’s innovative fertilizer already surpass the whole of 2019 following help from the Department for International Trade
• The bioactive fertilizer enables farmers to increase crop yields and reduce waste

Levity Crop Science is experiencing record global demand for its crop enhancement products, with over 70% of its revenue a result of exports into new markets and expansion in the United States.

The company, which has developed products to help farmers close the gap between potential and average yields, has seen sales exceed £1 million in the first quarter of 2020, outstripping total sales for 2019.

The pioneering bioactive crop enhancements work with the plants’ natural systems to increase production without causing environmental damage. Farmers using Levity Crop Science’s products see huge benefits to their crops in terms of yield, quality, shelf-life, and ability to withstand stress from bad growing conditions.

The Department for International Trade has been advising Levity Crop Science on its export strategy since 2017. Last year the business grew its presence in the US from 2 to 8 states, a development that accounts for more than 60% of this year’s sales to date.

Managing Director David Marks says his company’s innovation is making a valuable contribution to farmers around the world:

It’s a real adventure and a great privilege to be able to help the farmers that grow the world’s food, delivering more, higher quality crops, and helping the environment at the same time.

We’ll potentially have an additional 2 billion mouths to feed globally by 2050, and with the economic strain caused by the Coronavirus, it’s essential that we find new ways to increase crop yields and make the agricultural sector as efficient as possible.

Exporting has been a pillar of our success since we started trading, and we’re ambitious about what we can achieve this year. With the Government now negotiating a UK-US free trade agreement, I am optimistic that our transatlantic sales will continue to grow in importance.

Levity Crop Sciences’ sustainable fertilizers have remained in demand throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. All over the world they are aiding growing conditions on a diverse range of farms, from those affected by drought in Egypt and Jordan, to establishing new fruit orchards in Malaysia.

Having helped the business break into the South African and Romanian markets in 2019, the Department for International Trade is continuing to support its growth with upcoming deals anticipated across North America, South America and Africa.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said:

At this testing time, it’s more important than ever that we keep global trade flowing and supply chains open.

By exporting sprays and fertilizers, Levity Crop Science is one of the many UK companies helping farmers across the world ensure that food reaches our tables.

This is a great example of the US’s strong appetite for the high quality goods being produced here and striking a free trade agreement will further benefit businesses across the UK.

Last week International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer concluded the first round of negotiations for a UK-US Free Trade Agreement.

The talks cover all areas set out in the UK’s negotiation objectives, including goods and services trade, digital trade, investment and supporting SMEs.

On 08 May an RAF flight delivered Foreign Office-sourced supplies to the Turks and Caicos Islands including 6 ventilators, blood and medication to support the Islands’ health care systems during the coronavirus pandemic. This flight is part of the wider support being offered by the UK Government to its Overseas Territories in order to maintain access to essential goods including food, fuel and medical supplies.

Alongside this, the Royal Navy’s disaster relief specialists on RFA Argus are preparing for hurricane season by testing their skills across six of the Overseas Territories. Operating in and around Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos, the crew have been familiarising themselves with the terrain of each island and identifying potential landing sites should aid need to be delivered.

RFA Argus and troops on board have conducted exercises on Montserrat and Turks and Caicos. The exercises use simulated scenarios to test the crew’s ability to quickly land personnel, equipment and stores ashore in the aftermath of a disaster and deliver life-saving aid to local populations.

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said:

“The commitment of our Armed Forces to support the Overseas Territories in times of pandemic or national disaster is unwavering.

“We will continue to support our partners in the Caribbean, engaging with both the local communities and authorities as they prepare for the hurricane season and adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Baroness Sugg, Minister for the Overseas Territories said:

“We’ve seen how hurricanes can devastate communities in the Caribbean and when combined with the coronavirus, that devastation could lead to even more lives being lost.

“By providing life-saving aid alongside the world-class expertise of the British military, the UK is making sure British nationals and others living in the Overseas Territories, are prepared and supported ahead of the hurricane season.”

The early deployment of a Royal Navy ship ahead of the hurricane season is vital for the personnel on board to be able to gather local knowledge of the islands and establish working practices with local authorities. Crew on board RFA Argus have been practising how to deliver aid and support local residents if a hurricane hits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ship carries hurricane-related aid from the Department for International Development such as water, ration packs, medical equipment and materials to repair damage and clear blocked roads. It is staffed by an experienced team of sailors, aviators and marines equipped to deploy in the wake of a humanitarian disaster.

Other recent support provided by the Armed Forces to the Overseas Territories includes:

• Small security assistance teams have been deployed to both the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Each team will reinforce the capacity of local police and support local authorities

• A new military co-ordination cell has been formed with our French and Dutch allies, optimising our support for Overseas Territories in the Caribbean as they co-ordinate their response to COVID-19.

• A small medical team alongside 2 Intensive Treatment Units have been deployed to the Falkland Islands and the RAF has also flown in supplies of oxygen and medicine

• 310kg of essential supplies have been delivered to Ascension Island and St Helena

• 175 personnel have been deployed to Gibraltar, to support the delivery of food and medicine to residents

The deployment of military capabilities and UK personnel is just one way the UK Government is supporting the people of the Overseas Territories. Specialist health professionals from Public Health England are providing crucial guidance and training on infectious disease management and we are providing advice on sourcing medical personnel and equipment.

There are around 270,000 people living in the Overseas Territories, most of whom are British nationals.