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We are deeply concerned at reports that Sri Lanka intends to abandon its long-standing moratorium on use of the death penalty. The UK opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle.
Sri Lanka voted in favour of a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty at the UN General Assembly just six months ago. A reversal of this policy would be a regressive step that would harm Sri Lanka’s international standing and its reputation as a tourist destination and growing centre for business. Implementation of the death penalty will inevitably make it more difficult for the UK to cooperate on law enforcement issues, including on counter terrorism, and will require us to review our technical assistance programmes on relevant policing, defence and other security issues.
We have raised our concerns at the highest levels of the Sri Lankan Government. We continue to call on Sri Lanka to maintain its moratorium on the death penalty.
Thank you Mr President.
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur on the right to education for her report. We remain strongly committed to enabling all children to receive 12 years of quality education.
The United Kingdom supports the work of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and thanks her for her work on the report into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
Mr President,
The United Kingdom condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last October. We remain clear that anyone found responsible – following a credible judicial process – must be held to account. The UK has urged the authorities of Saudi Arabia to provide a credible and transparent explanation of events. Key questions remain unanswered. We reiterate our calls on Saudi Arabia to ensure that such a terrible event cannot – and must not – ever happen again.
We note the findings and recommendations of the report. We urge all parties to share relevant information. We are concerned by reported restrictions regarding the investigative process. We advise Saudi Arabia to do all it can to ensure transparency of the judicial process.
We thank the Special Rapporteur’s for her report’s recommendations for strengthening international action to protect journalists and for new measures to act on the issue of impunity. We look forward to discussing these issues with partners in London at the Global Conference for Media Freedom.
Thank you, Mr President.
Thank you for inviting me to speak at the Design Biennale summit and welcome to all those here today.
I would like to congratulate the Biennale on its impact on the international design industry since its inception.
I must also congratulate Sir John Sorrell and Ben Evans, the founders of this fantastic event.
From what I have seen of the schedule, today promises to be a melting pot of ideas and fascinating discussions that will continue to strengthen this impact.
This event promises to foster exciting international design thinking and to look more deeply at how design can make the world a better place.
In many ways London is the design capital of the world, so it is a fitting backdrop for this truly unique event. We are all united by our common interest in design and our passion for how great design can boost our countries and cities.
And how design thinking can revolutionise our approach to dealing with many of the challenges facing today’s society.
Es Devlin’s choice of theme – Resonance – is very exciting.
As Minister for Digital and Creative Industries, I am really interested in how the power of design resonates internationally.
UK design is recognised the world over – the Tube map, the Mini car, the classic Penguin book covers. It is our calling card to the world.
Design has the power to cross borders and provide links between cultures. It exports our values and culture to the world. And vice versa. This event shows the power of design to unite and facilitate collaboration.
In an increasingly connected and digital world design resonates with people on an incredibly personal level.
It alters accepted behaviours, shapes perceptions and helps to develop and transform societies and ways of living.
Of course, design is also vital to the modern economy. From airplanes to websites, furniture to buildings, UK design exports continue to generate billions for our economy.
I want design to be at the heart of our economic, cultural and social policies. And we are working hard to make this a reality.
The Biennale brings together different nations to work together to explore a single theme. The varied interpretations of the theme and ideas demonstrated show the value of different perspectives and approaches to the issues of todays’ society.
The Biennale is a great example of nations working together. This is ever more important in an ever more connected world.
It demonstrates that design can be an exciting catalyst for such cross border collaboration, which is ever more important today.
I look forward to seeing what the London Design Biennale 2020 brings. Thank you.
The Reservist community come from all parts of the community and all walks of life; sacrificing their spare time, balancing their civilian live and working alongside regular forces to protect the nation. They are deployed in operational theatres worldwide, undertaking different, diverse and sometimes dangerous roles. Across Joint Forces Command (JFC), they make a daily contribution to UK defence.
Lieutenant Commander Nathan Ditton based at Permanent Joint Headquarters, part of JFC spoke about his experience as a JFC Reservist and what made him choose to follow a career in the Reserve forces.
Nathan, who joined the Reserves in 2002 explained:
I joined the Reservists, because I have always sought to undertake wider activities that supported my community such as lifeboat crew, youth work and having an interest in military affairs. I wanted to find a method of putting something back into wider society, both in the UK and overseas.
When not working as a Civil Servant at Army’s Regional Command, Nathan is a Maritime Trade Operations Officer (MTO), providing operational liaison and interaction between military commanders and the merchant shipping community. This role includes providing navigational safety and security advice to merchant shipping in high risk areas.
He also completed 2 years as Executive Officer of HMS King Alfred, the Royal Naval Reserve Unit in Portsmouth, responsible for providing command advice to the Commanding Officer and being the link between the unit and the local community.
Nathan spoke about the biggest satisfaction of his role as a Reservist ‘‘is that the outputs I am responsible for make a real difference.”
He went on to explain that in his role as an MTO Officer:
the actions I take can help safeguard the free flow of merchant shipping and thus economic wellbeing of the UK and wider international community. In addition, the development opportunities particularly in the areas of planning and leadership have direct positive benefit in my civilian work performance and development.
As a civil servant, Nathan continuously utilises skills as a Reservist within the role and vice versa, this is particularly case in areas of policy development, leadership, project management and reporting.
Of being a Reservist, Nathan enthused:
I would strongly encourage people to join the Reserve Forces, there are multiple roles in which you can be employed and the commitment you choose to make can flex according to your circumstances. In addition to training and exercises, there is the opportunity to participate in social, sporting and adventurous training events.
The complete Reserves experience will have positive transferable skills to civilian employment.
From JFC, we thank Reservists for their dedication and professionalism and their integral work in protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas.