I am delighted to be here in Kigali, Rwanda alongside our friend and partner Minister Dr Vincent Biruta.

I would like to express my personal thanks to him and his team for the constructive way in which they have worked with my team over many many months to achieve and deliver this partnership.

The UK has a long and proud development history with Rwanda. Our shared interests have resulted in strong economic and development growth lifting millions out of poverty, but also resulted in growing manufacturing and technology sectors, which are generating jobs and sustainable growth for generations to come.

I know at first hand that your country, Minister is a regional and international leader. You are on the global stage, very much yourself more often than not but also hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the World Telecommunication Development Conference, and the Sustainable Energy for All Forum.

Your national leadership is the African voice on international initiatives, which really speak to and seek to find solutions to regional and international challenges.

I am very honoured to be here, and the United Kingdom is delighted to be working ever more closely with Rwanda.

We have many, many interests in common, and we face many of the same challenges. I want to turn to one of those challenges now.

The global migration crisis and how we tackle illegal migration requires new world-leading solutions.

There are an estimated 80 million people displaced in the world and the global approach to asylum and migration is broken.

Evil people smugglers and their criminal gangs are facilitating people into Europe, resulting in loss of life and huge costs to the UK taxpayer.

The tragic loss of life of people in the Channel and in the Mediterranean at the hands of these evil smugglers must stop.

And today, our approach as two outward-looking countries has led to the signing of a new international partnership – which is a world first. It is a migration and economic development partnership with the country of Rwanda and UK.

This will see some of those arriving illegally in the UK, such as those crossing the channel in dangerous small boats, relocated to Rwanda to resettle and rebuild their lives in ways in which the minister has just outlined.

More than 28,000 migrants crossed the channel last year by small boat in very dangerous and perilous conditions

The UK asylum system is collapsing under a combination of real humanitarian crises and evil people smugglers profiteering by exploiting the system for their own gain.

Criminals are exploiting the hopes and fears of migrants, pushing them to make dangerous journeys to the UK with fictitious and false promises that they can settle in the UK if they make it.

This has devastating consequences for the countless men, women, and children who have tragically lost their lives or lost loved ones on perilous journeys.

It is also deeply unfair, because it advantages those with the means to pay people smugglers over vulnerable people who cannot.

Global systems and conventions have failed to address this global crisis.

The world has changed and renewed global leadership is required to find new innovative solutions to this growing problem.

Today the United Kingdom and Rwanda have signed a joint new migration and economic development partnership to put an end to this deadly trade in people smuggling.

This is part of the United Kingdom’s New Plan for Immigration to control our borders, protect our communities, stop dangerous illegal migration, help the world’s most desperate people, and welcome international talents to the UK.

It is the biggest overhaul of our immigration system in decades, underpinned by our Nationality and Borders Bill, which will soon become law.

Our country, the United Kingdom, has always extended the hand of friendship to those in need.

In recent years alone, we have proudly welcomed tens of thousands of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and BNOs from Hong Kong.

Rwanda has one of the strongest records of refugee resettlement and in recent years and as the minister has just said, Rwanda has resettled over 100,000 refugees.

It has an established record of welcoming and integrating people, such as those from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, but also including, for example, people from Libya evacuated under the EU’s Emergency Transit Mechanism, in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency and the African Union. Rwanda is also a State Party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the seven core UN Human Rights Conventions.

Border control is fundamental to national sovereignty. Uncontrolled immigration reduces our capability and capacity to help those who most need our support. It puts intolerable pressure on public services and local communities.

And at home, as the Prime Minister has said today, because the capacity of asylum system is not unlimited, the presence of economic migrants – which these illegal routes introduce into the asylum system – inhibits our ability to support others in genuine need of protection.

The British people are fair and generous when it comes to helping those in need, but the persistent circumventing of our laws and immigration rules and the reality of a system that is open to gaming and criminal exploitation has eroded public support for Britain’s asylum system and those that genuinely need access to it.

Putting evil people smugglers out of business is a moral imperative. It requires us to use every tool at our disposal – and also to find new solutions.

That is why today’s migration and economic development partnership with Rwanda is such a major milestone.

It is also very much in keeping with our vision for a Global Britain that harnesses the potential of new relationships and stimulates investment and jobs in partner countries.

Working together, the United Kingdom and Rwanda will help make the immigration system fairer, ensure that people are safe and enjoy new opportunities to flourish.

We have agreed that people who enter the UK illegally will be considered for relocation to Rwanda to have their asylum claim decided.

And those who are resettled will be given support, including up to five years of training to help with integration, accommodation, and healthcare, so that they can resettle and thrive.

This agreement fully complies with all international and national law, and as part of this ground-breaking agreement, the UK is making a substantial investment in the economic development of Rwanda.

This will support programmes to improve the lives of the people in Rwanda and develop the country, economy, job prospects, and opportunities.

In addition, the UK will provide funding and expertise to implement this agreement.

As I have said many, many times, this is a global issue, with many countries struggling to address the challenges and the causes. And there is no single or simple solution.

This agreement illustrates that we can no longer accept the status quo. People are dying and the global migration crisis requires new ways to find new partnerships and to find new solutions.

It will deal a major blow to the evil people smugglers.

We know this will not be easy, we know that we will face challenges along the way, but together with the Nationality and Borders Bill, and the New Plan for Immigration, the UK will support those fleeing oppression, persecution, and tyranny through safe and legal routes, while controlling our borders and deterring illegal entry.

Our world-leading migration and economic development partnership is a global first and will change the way we collectively tackle illegal migration through new, innovative, and world-leading solutions.

Thank you.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Kingdom. I’d like to start by thanking Hans Grundberg and Martin Griffiths for your briefings, and to congratulate you, Hans, for your phenomenal efforts in brokering a truce. For the first time since 2016, Yemenis will feel what it is like to live in relative peace.

The UK commends all the parties in putting forward proposals, engaging in confidence-building measures to sustain this truce. We now need to make quick headway on getting the free flow of fuel, goods, and flights, and we need to pivot quickly to political negotiations.

The UK applauds, in particular, the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and the Government of Yemen in delivering serious consultations and significant political reform. The formation of the Presidential Leadership Council is a vital step. And, we commend President Hadi for facilitating the peaceful transfer of power.

We expect the Presidential Leadership Council to work seriously and quickly towards political negotiations with the Houthis. And we call on the Houthis to continue to engage with the UN Special Envoy, and so we welcome the Special Envoy’s visit to Sana’a this week – another step forwards.

Martin, as you so powerfully articulated, while we start to see progress on the political track, it is crucial the international community helps alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Sadly, the UN conference raised only around a third of the funding needed, as you said.

We, therefore, strongly welcome the Saudi-Emirati $3 billion economic package, designed to revive and support the Yemeni economy, and the $300 million in Saudi humanitarian aid. And, it is important that all donors disburse funding quickly if we are to avoid agencies making further cuts to programmes.

Ultimately, the truce provides a window of opportunity to make the lives of many Yemenis better, and this must be seized. In this context, defusing the ticking time-bomb of the Safer tanker becomes even more pressing. We therefore strongly support David Gressly’s efforts regarding the Safer tanker. The UK will contribute funding, and we urge the international community, including regional partners who will be directly affected by any oil spill, also to contribute.

I resume my function as President of the Council.

The event, now in its 3rd year, is centred on helping those who have left or are leaving the armed forces to successfully transition to a rewarding civilian career.

The event facilitates a forum enabling attendees to network with employers, sharing insights and best practice ideas to ensure a positive transition experience. In addition service leavers and veterans benefitted from LinkedIn, CV and interview workshops. Capping it all off was the opportunity to take part in passenger rides around the Silverstone circuit. Some of the famous faces taking to the circuit included Sir Chris Hoy, Jodi Kidd and Ben Collins (BBC’s Top Gear former Stig).

Steve Lees, Jaguar Land Rover’s Armed Forces Engagement Programme Manager, National Deputy Chairman of the Gold Award Association and the lead for Mission Automotive said:

The 2022 National Transition Event built upon the success of the event held in 2020, enabling forces-friendly companies to engage with service leavers, veterans and military spouses or partners exploring employment opportunities beyond service. In the Automotive Hall alone there were over 3,000 jobs companies are looking to fill.

Not only were employers able to meet individuals looking for employment, but also able to engage with other employers and speak to their veteran employees, sharing best practice and gaining insight as to how Armed Forces engagement can add value to their organisations.

Forces-Friendly employers attending the event included Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award holders such as Jaguar Land Rover, X Forces, Recruit for Spouses, BAE Systems, FDM Group and Black Country Chamber of Commerce. In addition two organisations, Lila Connect UK and MSS ltd, took the opportunity to pledge their support to the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

This year the event also hosted the launch of Mission Renewable, mirroring the positive impact and success Mission Motorsport has achieved within the motoring industry, Mission Renewable is aiming to make the renewable industry a destination of choice for service leavers, veterans and military spouses.

Speaking about the opportunities within the Renewable sector, RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Melanie Onn said:

The number of jobs in the offshore wind industry alone is set to rise by over 40,000 in the next four years alone; this includes a range of team leadership roles and opportunities for people to use their valuable experience to learn new skills, so we’re urging women and men with a military background to join us to build the energy system of the future. This will help us to reduce consumers bills faster while taking practical action against climate change.

Related links

Learn more about the Mission Renewable initiative visit Find out more about Mission Motorsport Sign the Armed Forces Covenant

• the Government announces UK has today sanctioned Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich
• action against Roman Abramovich’s longstanding business associates will freeze assets estimated to be worth up to £10 billion
• the measures, combined with others announced to date, cut key revenue sources for Putin’s war machine

The UK has today sanctioned Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich, bringing the total number of oligarchs, family members and associates sanctioned to 106 since February.

Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss announced the government will freeze assets connected with the pair estimated to total up to £10 billion, the largest asset freeze action in UK history.

This will prevent these assets from being repatriated to Russia and used to fund Putin’s war machine.

In addition a travel ban has been placed on Davidovich.

These sanctions have been co-ordinated with action taken by the Jersey authorities earlier this week to impose a formal freezing order on assets suspected to be connected to Abramovich himself, valued in excess of £5 billion.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

We are tightening the ratchet on Putin’s war machine and targeting the circle of people closest to the Kremlin. We will keep going with sanctions until Putin fails in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table.

Eugene Tenenbaum has described himself as one of Abramovich’s closest business associates. Corporate filings show that Tenenbaum took control of Evrington Investments Limited, an Abramovich-linked investment company, on 24 February immediately following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Tenenbaum, who is a director at Chelsea Football Club, is subject to an asset freeze.

David Davidovich has been described by Forbes as “Abramovich’s much lower profile right hand man”, and took over Evrington Investments from Tenenbaum in March 2022. He is subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.

Sanctions imposed by the UK and its international partners are having deep and damaging consequences for Putin’s ability to wage war. Analysis shows Russia is heading for the deepest recession since the collapse of the Soviet Union with £275 billion – 60% of Russian foreign currency reserves – currently frozen.

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

Transport sanctions

Recently introduced powers make it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK, and give the government powers to remove aircraft belonging to designated Russian individuals and entities from the UK aircraft register, even if the sanctioned individual is not on board. Russian ships are also banned from UK ports.

Individuals sanctioned

• Eugene Tenenbaum, a Director at Chelsea Football Club and has described himself as one of Abramovich’s closest business associates. Corporate filings show that Tenenbaum took control of Evrington Investments Limited, an Abramovich linked investment company, on 24 February following the Russian invasion. Tenenbaum is subject to an asset freeze

• David Davidovich, described by Forbes as “Abramovich’s much lower profile right hand man”. Davidovich took over Evrington Investments from Tenenbaum in March 2022. Davidovich is subject to a travel ban and asset freeze