The UK has agreed a new partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The partnership, which is the first ASEAN has agreed in 25 years, will lead to closer cooperation between the UK and the region on a range of issues such as trade, investment, climate change, the environment, science and technology, and education.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab joined a virtual ceremony with ASEAN Foreign Ministers where they welcomed the UK as an ASEAN ‘Dialogue Partner’.

Since the UK submitted its application to become a Dialogue Partner in June 2020, the Foreign Secretary has attended two UK-ASEAN Ministerial Meetings and hosted the ASEAN Chair at the G7 Foreign & Development Ministers meeting in May.

ASEAN is an influential group of ten member countries in the Indo-Pacific. By becoming a Dialogue Partner the UK will formalise its relations with the group – including through attending annual Foreign and Economic Ministers meetings along with other Ministerial engagements.

Dialogue Partner status puts the UK at the heart of the Indo-Pacific. The UK will work with ASEAN and its members on key shared challenges such as maritime security and transnational crime, boost our economies through trade, and strengthen our cooperation on issues such COVID-19 and climate change.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab said:

I am delighted that the UK has, today, formally become a Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc – the first new country in 25 years.

This is a landmark moment in the UK’s tilt towards the Indo Pacific. Our closer ties with ASEAN will help create green jobs, reinforce our security cooperation, promote tech and science partnerships, and safeguard key pillars of international law like the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The new agreement will also help the UK to deepen economic links with ASEAN, which has a combined GDP of $3.2 trillion. Total trade between the UK and ASEAN was £32.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2021 with huge potential to boost this trade, creating jobs at home.

International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss said:

This is great news and shows Global Britain in action, forging stronger relationships around the world as an independent trading nation.

Along with CPTPP accession and deals with countries like Singapore and Vietnam, this will help unlock opportunities for British businesses in a high-growth region of more than 650 million people, allowing them to expand and create jobs across the UK.

British Ambassador to the Philippines, Daniel Pruce said:

I am immensely proud that the UK has been accepted as the first new ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 25 years. This will lead to more trade, better security cooperation and greater people-to-people links for the UK and ASEAN, alongside our strong and growing bilateral relationship with the Philippines.

Achieving this status is a key step forward in the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt and can only serve to help the UK and ASEAN Member States work even more closely together on some of the key global challenges including climate and COVID.

Dominic Raab has visited Southeast Asia five times since becoming Foreign Secretary, demonstrating the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific, as set out in the Integrated Review. 

Today’s announcement comes at a time of growing UK defence and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, led by the HMS Queen Elizabeth, is in the region and has completed a series of engagements with a range of ASEAN partners, with further interactions planned in the autumn.

In June, the UK formally launched accession negotiations with the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) nations. The CPTPP is one of the largest free trade areas in the world, accounting for 13% of global GDP in 2019. Four ASEAN states – Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei – are members of the CPTPP.

Notes to editors

• The UK is already a Dialogue Partner of ASEANAPOL  (the regional policing body), and supports the ASEAN-Singapore Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.
• The UK also has a £6m joint research programme with Singapore on marine debris in Southeast Asia, a £15m ASEAN Low Carbon Energy programme, a cross-sectoral project on green finance and energy efficiency, led the Friends of Indonesia Renewable Energy (FIRE) Dialogue, and provides £4.2m funding for UK-ASEAN science partnerships that research the impact of climate change and the transition to clean energy.
• The other ASEAN Dialogue Partners are: Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States of America.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk or cecille.fontanilla@fcdo.gov.uk

• Heaven nightclub in London to offer jabs through pop-up vaccination sites
• Over two-thirds (67%) of young people aged 18 to 29 have now had their first jab

Leading figures of the nightlife industry – including venues Ministry of Sound and Heaven – have joined the national effort to get the country vaccinated as they urge young people to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The nightlife industry will be supporting the vaccine drive by sharing vaccine messaging online and at their venues, along with Heaven hosting a vaccine event this Sunday [8 August], making it even easier to get vaccinated.

In addition, a new short Q&A film has been released featuring doctor, DJ and founder of NHS Sessions, Bodalia, talking about the importance of younger adults getting the vaccine in order to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, and to keep the nightclub industry open. 

Also supporting the campaign are industry bodies LIVE, the voice the UK’s contemporary live music sector, and Safer Sounds, a partnership promoting best practice across the music industry.

From September, people will be required to have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter nightclubs and other large-scale events. With over two-thirds of young adults aged 18 to 29 having received one dose of the vaccine, the new campaign will encourage club-goers, university students and all young adults to get both doses without delay so they can get back to enjoying the things they have missed while the country cautiously returns to normal.

The latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 52,600 hospitalisations have been prevented by vaccines up to 23 July.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Vaccines are saving lives, protecting people, and allowing us to regain some of the freedoms we’ve missed over the last 18 months – from visiting family abroad to dancing on a night out.

It’s remarkable to see different sectors and industries step up to help get the country vaccinated, and my thanks goes to the Ministry of Sound, Heaven, and Bodalia and among so many others.

Having a vaccine is one of the most important things you will ever be asked to do – get it to protect your loved ones and to make sure you can return to creating those special moments.

Also from today [Friday 6 August], a new campaign will roll out across social channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok, as well as on radio stations Kiss, Capital, Heart, Sunrise, and TalkSport, further continuing to help vaccine uptake in young adults.

The ‘Don’t Miss Out’ and ‘Get Your Shot’ campaign reinforces the messages of how simple it is to get both of your jabs and will help people get back to doing the things they love such as going travelling and going to big events such as clubbing.

Doctor and DJ, Bodalia, said:

As a doctor and a DJ, I want everyone to enjoy themselves as safely as possible now that clubs and music events are back. If you haven’t got round to getting the vaccine yet, now really is the time to come forward and book in for your first and second dose. If you’ve questions or concerns, seek answers from the NHS or your GP.

The government is working closely with the NHS to make it as easy as possible to get a vaccine, including through ‘grab a jab’ pop-up vaccine sites across the country.

People can make an appointment through the national booking system either online or by calling 119, use a vaccination centre, walk-in centre, or one of the pop-up vaccinations centres that are now in shopping centres, workplaces and high streets.

London-based club Heaven will be hosting a pop-up vaccine site during the day of Sunday [8 August] where people can turn up without an appointment to get their jab.

Minister for COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi said:

The response to the COVID-19 vaccine by young people so far has been phenomenal, and getting both doses of a vaccine will be vital come September for students and people wanting to enjoy the country’s nightlife.

Thank you to the businesses who have pledged their support for the vaccination programme – I urge all those yet to get the jab to secure this protection and freedom for themselves.

Lohan Presencer, Executive Chairman of Ministry of Sound said:

It’s incredible to welcome people back on to our dance floor after so long. We’ll provide the music and the good times, people just need to get both their vaccines so we can all keep dancing together safely.

Greg Parmley, CEO of LIVE (Live music, Industry, Venues, and Entertainment) said:

We can’t wait to get everyone back through our doors to experience the best that live music has to offer, which is why we’re supporting the campaign to get young people double vaccinated. Vaccine take-up will ensure that, along with the existing measures in place such as ventilation, we can all enjoy music events safely this summer.

Phillipe Chiarella, Programme & Training Manager, Safer Sounds Partnership (part of the Safer Business Network) said:

At Safer Sounds we are proud to support businesses to operate in a safer manner now that restrictions have been lifted. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our members in encouraging young adults to get their vaccines, protecting them and others and improving safety in our venues and at our events. We also encourage venues and event organisers to work with the NHS to provide vaccine pop-ups and vaccine information to their customers.

The government and NHS are also working together to provide information and advice at every opportunity on how to get a vaccine and its benefits, including through a range of partnerships with industries catering for predominantly younger audiences.

This work includes partnerships with high-profile entertainment and sports personalities on short films encouraging people to get the jab, such as film stars Jim Broadbent and Thandiwe Newton, and football legends Harry Redknapp and Chris Kamara. The government has also partnered with dating apps, social media platforms and leading businesses on adverts and incentives to get the vaccine.

A total of more than 85 million doses have been administered in the UK, with 46.9 million people receiving a first dose (88.7%) and 38.7 people receiving both doses (73.2%).

Data from PHE shows COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. The analysis shows the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 96% effective and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 92% effective against hospitalisation after two doses.

YouGov polling shows the UK continues to be one of the top nations where people are willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine or have already been vaccinated and ONS data published on 2 July shows that more than 9 in 10 (96%) adults reported positive sentiment towards the vaccine. The latest ONS data shows 90% of adults under 30 have said they have received or would get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines are available free of charge and from thousands of vaccine centres, GP practices and pharmacies. Around 98% of people live within 10 miles of a vaccination centre in England and vaccinations are taking place at sites including mosques, community centres and football stadiums.

Further background:

• The latest UK-wide vaccination statistics are published here and NHS England publishes vaccine statistics for England here.

• The latest PHE analysis on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines is available here. Their latest study on the number of cases prevented and lives saved by vaccines is here.

• PHE published new data today on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for at-risk groups here.

• The ONS survey on ‘Barriers to COVID-19 vaccination’ can be found here.

• The YouGov data comparing uptake rates in countries around the world is available here

New research to step up the UK’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, heatwaves and extreme weather storms, is made possible by the launch of a new £5 million research programme today (Friday 6 August).

Providing high-quality scientific research and analysis, the research programme, ‘Climate Services for a Net Zero Resilient World’, will help inform future climate policy and will be led by a consortium of some of the leading authorities in environmental science such as University College London and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

This will ensure the UK is able to respond to the impacts a warming planet will have on national infrastructure. This includes heat waves causing record temperatures in buildings, extreme weather damage to power stations and electricity networks, and flooding impacting our communities. The programme will also engage with local authorities on local climate action plans, by equipping them with information on how to help households cope with extreme temperatures and helping them to identify low-cost, low-carbon measures.

To ensure that emissions are cut around the world, the scheme will also provide models for how the UK can reduce carbon emissions globally. This will build on the UK government’s work with other countries to develop decarbonisation strategies – supporting overseas nations reduce their carbon footprints while building resilience and protecting their populations.

This announcement comes as the UK government steps up its climate leadership ahead of COP26, making world-leading commitments to eliminate the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050. In recent months alone, the government has launched a new UK Emissions Trading Scheme, committed to end coal power by 2024, secured record investment in wind power, and pledged billions in funding to support the development of carbon capture and the decarbonisation of transport.

UK Climate & Energy Minister and International Adaptation and Resilience COP26 champion Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Climate change poses a threat to both our way of life and the safety of our nation. The climate decisions taken by the government now, and over these crucial next few years, are vital to protect our homes, our wellbeing, and our future.

This new programme brings together the brightest and best climate scientists, universities and research institutions from across the country to provide us with the latest tools, advice, and research to inform future climate policies at a national and local level. This research will be vital to ensure we’re making the best possible choices on our journey to net zero, making certain the UK is adaptable and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

The effects of climate change are already being felt in the UK and around the world. The Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report published last week showed that last year was the third warmest, fifth wettest and eighth sunniest on record. Everyone has a part to play in tackling climate change, and combined with the efforts of individuals, businesses and industry, it is vital the UK government prepares for how this changing climate will impact the nation and the public.

Today’s new scheme will help the UK take action to adapt to these changes and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts.

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said:

With fewer than 100 days to go until COP26, this essential research which helps the UK work with governments around the world to deliver ambitious plans to decarbonise and reduce emissions has never been more important. From flooding to wildfires – the extreme weather events we’ve recently witnessed show how crucial it is for communities to build resilience and protect their futures.

This programme demonstrates our commitment as COP26 hosts to meet net zero by the middle of the century. The next decade is critical if we are to keep the 1.5 degree temperature limit on track and avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change.

The 4-year UK government research programme will improve the UK’s resilience to climate change by enhancing scientific understanding of climate impacts, decarbonisation and climate action. It will provide transformative advice, digital data, and technology such as data visualisation tools, providing critical evidence and expertise to inform the government’s action plan to reach net zero and deliver a thriving, low carbon, greener future.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Robust, world-leading science and research on climate change is central to informing our adaptation policies as we work towards the next National Adaptation Programme.

This new research programme will ensure climate science is fully integrated into our planning and decision-making, including on major infrastructure and biodiversity projects as we work to restore our peatlands, wetlands and natural environment, as well as improving our air and water through our landmark Environment Bill. This is alongside our record investment of £5.2 billion in new flood and coastal schemes to better protect 336,000 properties by 2027.

Gill Wilkins, Ricardo’s CS-N0W Programme Director, said:

I am delighted to direct this ground-breaking research programme that will provide evidence to underpin UK climate change policy and raise ambition internationally. With our consortium partners, we will carry out research and analysis to better understand the impacts of climate change and how to maximise efforts to respond to the challenges faced. We will be visualising data to make it more accessible, transparent and user friendly to help regional and national authorities understand and respond to impacts.

Today’s new climate research programme builds on the independent Climate Change Committee’s climate risk report, with the UK government showing international leadership by increasing domestic climate resilience efforts, ahead of the COP26 UN Climate Summit taking place in Glasgow this November.

The Climate Services for a Net Zero Resilient World consortium will include:

• Ricardo
• University College London (UCL)
• Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
• institutes supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), including:
  • British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
  • British Geological Survey (BGS)
  • National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS)
  • National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO)
  • National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
  • Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
  • UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)