People from around the world, of all ages and from every walk of life, are being invited by the UK to collaborate and contribute to an amazing crowd-sourced piece of music that showcases the sounds of humanity.

The soundscape was conceived as part of the design for the UK Pavilion visitor experience by Avantgarde, along with lead designer and artist Es Devlin OBE, who has worked with the likes of Beyonce, U2 and Adele. The composition will be heard by millions of visitors to the UK Pavilion at the next World Expo in Dubai, a six-month long celebration of humanity’s resilience, creativity, culture and innovation, opening October 2021.

From singing or playing an instrument, to tapping out simple rhythms, humming or clicking fingers, musical contributions recorded on microphones or mobile phones, in bedrooms, garages or gardens are welcomed from every corner of the globe from people of all ages and abilities . They will be woven together into a 7-minute long, multichannel tapestry of sound, composed by British sound designers Polyphonia. The project offers people the chance to showcase their musical talents, have fun producing submissions with family and friends, and continue the tradition of virtual choirs, orchestras and musical sessions that have flourished during COVID-19 lockdowns around the world.

Es Devlin OBE, Artist and Designer of the UK Pavilion, said:

Expo 2020 Dubai will be visited by many millions from all over the planet. The UK Pavilion has been conceived as a meeting point – a place of collective thinking and action. At its heart is the Choral Space – illuminated by glowing words donated by visitors. We are working with voices from all over the world to create the choral soundscape which will envelop visitors at the heart of the pavilion – and we would love to include your contribution. We want to express a full, beautiful range and breadth and diversity of voices, every age, gender, ethnicity. Please add your voice or instrumental to the soundscape of the UK Pavilion at the World Expo”.

Celebrating international collaboration and connectivity, the composition will tell a story that spans the breadth of human history and invention, from ancient choral traditions to global satellite communications. Seeking voices from Brighton to Bangkok and instruments from bagpipes to sitars, it reflects the diverse melting-pot of global influences and musical genres that have made the UK world-renowned for its creativity.

Laura Faulkner OBE, UK Commissioner for Expo 2020 Dubai, said:

Making and sharing music with others, whether it be through singing, percussion or any form of musical instrument, is a powerful way to connect us and experience our universal humanity, something that has become more important than ever this year. Expo 2020 Dubai is a key moment for all of us to reconnect as a global community. In 2021 we will be coming together through Expo to explore new ideas and create the future. The UK Pavilion’s soundscape provides a perfect opportunity to begin the journey, as we join together in a positive, uplifting and creative way.

Now opening 1 October 2021, the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, will see over 190 countries come together to create a better future following the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK’s participation theme is ‘Innovating for a Shared Future’, with a focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning and space.

This theme will be reflected in the UK Pavilion through exhibitions, events and the architecture of the building itself, including the choral space where the soundscape will be featured as part of an immersive audio experience with over 16 different channels of sound.

To become part of the soundscape, you are invited to record yourself singing or playing one of eight different, pre-composed parts – four melodies, two instrumentals or two simple rhythms. The melodies have been designed to be either sung or played on any instrument, while one of the rhythm parts is intended to be easy enough for musical beginners or young children. Audio can be recorded on a mobile phone and uploaded via a simple online form.

For instructions on how to participate, visit: UK Soundscape

• Informal carers will be able to provide care for children and vulnerable adults in parts of the country with restrictions on interhousehold mixing
• Children under 14 will be able to be cared for by individuals outside of their immediate household as part of a care bubble
• Arrangements must be part of a consistent childcare relationship

Informal childcare and caring arrangements will be allowed to continue across the nation, the Health Secretary has announced today.

Interhousehold mixing is currently banned in some areas under local restrictions, including parts of the North West, North East, and Bolton and Leicester. From Tuesday 22 September care bubbles will be able to form in areas of intervention, to allow families to share caring responsibilities with another household.

Today’s announcement recognises that the current restriction of interhousehold mixing in areas of local intervention could cause hardship for families, and may affect the ability of essential workers, such as NHS front line staff, to do their job. The introduction of care bubbles will allow informal childcare arrangements to continue with another household, as long as they are consistent. One-off arrangements, such as a play date, will not be included.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said:

I know how vital all types of childcare are for family life. Whether a friend, relative, or a professional carer, it is essential that our children or dependents are well looked after and loved.

I have listened to concerns that have been raised around the ban on interhousehold mixing in place for local areas of intervention, and have now introduced a provision for those looking after children under the age of 14. Informal care can also continue for vulnerable adults. I truly sympathise with everyone who lost those vital extra hands to care for a child or loved one, and I hope that this eases their burden.

Approximately a third of children in England aged 0 to 4 used informal childcare in 2019. The new exemption means that a relative or friend can now care for a child or vulnerable adult from a different household, as well as the formal childcare provided by registered childcare professionals.

This exemption will come into force for all areas under current restrictions to ban household mixing, and all future areas. Exemptions for registered childcare already exists, with today’s announcement extending to informal childcare arrangements.

Last week, Facebook announced science-based emissions reduction targets, including a commitment to net zero by 2030.

And today, I’m delighted that building materials firm LafargeHolcim has committed to developing the world’s first net-zero roadmap in the cement sector.

While CP Group, one of Asia’s largest conglomerates and food companies, has also the same UN ‘Business Ambition for 1.5 degrees’ campaign.

These are just three examples of the leadership and ambition we have seen from businesses in tackling climate change.

We have come a long way, not least in the past year.

But over the next fourteen months to COP26, I am calling on the world to up its ambition.

Because we are at a critical moment.

The clock is ticking on climate action.

Temperatures are soaring.

Storms are raging.

And crops are failing.

And if we do not take this chance, every single one of us will be affected.

We all have a part to play.

Countries, regions, businesses, people.

Together, through our collective effort, we can make a difference in tackling the climate crisis.

By shifting investment, spurring innovation, scaling up technologies and driving down costs.

Renewable technologies are the proof.

Every time the global deployment of solar has doubled, its costs have fallen by almost 30 percent.

As COP26 President, I am urging all countries to submit more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions.

To pledge to reach net zero emissions, as soon as possible.

To consider adaptation in all planning decisions.

And to honour their pre-2020 commitments on mitigation.

And on the totemic 100 billion dollar goal for climate finance.

It is not just countries that need to act.

We need companies, regions and civil society, to continue what they have already started.

To reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

So, I have four concrete requests.

First on clean energy.

I’m asking companies to join the likes of H&M, Panasonic, and HSBC.

And commit to using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 at the latest, through the ‘RE100’ initiative.

And cities, regions and businesses, please join the likes of California, New Taipei City, and Rotterdam.

To end the use of polluting coal power.

Join the Powering Past Coal Alliance.

Second, zero emission road transport.

Join the EV100 campaign.

Commit to operating, or supporting, zero-emissions vehicles by 2030.

Wipro, Lyft, EDF and many others are already on board.

Third, for all you bankers, asset managers, financiers and insurers.

Please, follow the TCFD disclosure recommendations.

To green the financial system.

My fourth and final ask is of you all.

Businesses, regions, cities, and civil society organisations.

Please join the great City of New York, and many others, in the Race to Zero Coalition.

And commit to reaching Net Zero by 2050, at the latest.

And I’m delighted that Brambles, PayPal and Mastercard are now part of Race to Zero.

In New York Climate Week, we have a real opportunity to go faster on climate action.

And we will all benefit.

Through sustainable businesses.

Cleaner air in our cities.

And a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.

Thank you.

Mr President,

Congratulations on your appointment as President of this Conference.

The UK commends the Agency’s efforts to continue its critical work throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and we were pleased to contribute £500,000 to the Agency’s provision of testing equipment to member states in real need.

The IAEA plays a key role in implementing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – a cornerstone of international peace and security.

Having left the EU, the UK remains committed to robust nuclear safeguards and our new bilateral agreement with the Agency ensures this. The UK supports strengthening the global safeguards regime, ensuring it adapts to new challenges. I urge all states to ratify the Additional Protocol.

The UK strongly supports the JCPOA and is working hard to preserve the agreement given its importance to non-proliferation and security. The UK calls on Iran to come back into compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA, and we are grateful to the Director General for his dedication in monitoring this agreement.

Mr President,

The IAEA’s role supporting member states implement the highest standards of nuclear safety and security is vital. I was delighted to attend this year’s International Conference on Nuclear Security. We must continue working together to realise the commitments in the Ministerial Declaration.

The UK champions access to peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, and I am proud to pledge our contribution of €3.9 million to the Agency’s 2021 Technical Cooperation Fund. We encourage the IAEA to help Least Developed Countries benefit from this Programme and to ensure that the Agency’s work is coordinated with the wider UN family, focussing on the Agency’s comparative advantage, and attracts new, non-traditional donors too.

As we look toward COP26 in Glasgow next year, we must put climate at the heart of the recovery from COVID-19. That is why the UK has legislated for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, recognising the key role of nuclear in achieving this ambitious goal.

We have committed £100 million to the development of small and advanced modular nuclear reactors and technologies, unlocking thousands of green jobs. The UK commends DG Grossi for his leadership on climate change and I am pleased to announce that we will provide funding for the IAEA’s research into the scourge of marine plastics.

We thank the DG for his commitment to improving gender diversity in nuclear and are pleased to support the Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship Programme.

The UK will continue to give the Secretariat, and the Director General, our full and wholehearted, support.

Thank you very much indeed.