PM call with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt: 25 August 2022
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
The Prime Minister spoke to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon, to welcome the cooperation between the UK and Egypt during his premiership and discuss ways to further boost the relationship between our countries.
The leaders highlighted increased trade, business and education links, including the creation of the UK-Egypt Investment Council and new investment opportunities in Egypt.
They also welcomed our countries’ close defence and security cooperation, and the Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for his role in helping to get grain out of Ukraine’s ports and on route to countries facing desperate food shortages as a result of Russia’s blockade.
The Prime Minister and President Sisi discussed resolving the consular case of Alaa Abdel Fattah, and the Prime Minister expressed his hope for swift and positive progress on the issue.
The leaders also looked ahead to the UK handing over the COP Presidency to Egypt at COP27 in November, emphasising the importance of driving forward the transformative action on climate change agreed in Glasgow last year.
Published 25 August 2022
The situation on the ground demonstrates the urgent need to make progress towards a Two State Solution
Thank you President. I join others in thanking Mr Wennesland, Mr Lazzarini and Mr Levy for their valuable briefings today.
Let me start by welcoming the two-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords this month. The Abraham Accords are a historic milestone that bring us closer to the goal of shared prosperity and peace throughout the region.
President,
As we stated at the emergency session on 8 August, the UK welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza and we reiterate our calls for the parties to make every effort to sustain it. It is critical that humanitarian access in and out of Gaza is ensured, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
We were appalled by the terrorist attack in Jerusalem on 13 August. The UK unequivocally condemns any and all acts of terrorism. Our thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected. We reiterate our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. This conflict has taken a terrible toll on both sides. We are concerned at the record number of Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces this year and urge Israel to show restraint in the use of live ammunition and to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into all fatalities.
President,
We have been clear about our concern over the Israeli government’s decision last year to designate six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organisations. The subsequent raids on the offices of seven Palestinian NGOs, and arrests of their staff, are equally concerning. Civil society organisations play an important role in upholding human rights and democracy and they must be able to operate freely in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We continue to engage with a number of these organisations.
President,
We call on the Israeli authorities to halt plans to advance evictions at Khan Al Ahmar and on the E1 settlement plan. Advancing E1 would seriously hinder a two-state solution. Settlements are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.
This month we also saw demolition orders issued in Masafer Yatta and against a donor-funded school in Ein Samiya. Such demolitions cause unnecessary suffering and in all but exceptional circumstances are contrary to international law.
The UK is a long-standing supporter of UNRWA for the vital role they play in providing core services and humanitarian and protection assistance to Palestinian refugees across the region. We were pleased to announce at the pledging conference in June that we have agreed a new multi-year funding agreement with UNRWA and will provide £15m this year.
The situation on the ground demonstrates the urgent need to make progress towards a Two State Solution that ensures a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem the shared capital of both states. The UK remains committed to working with all parties to reduce tensions and take steps towards a sustainable peace.
New Deputy Government Actuary
The new Deputy Government Actuary has been named as Matt Gurden. His most recent role was was as a GAD Actuarial Director. The appointment followed an open competition.
The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) has announced that the new Deputy Government Actuary has been named as Matt Gurden. The appointment followed an open competition for the role.
The Government Actuary Martin Clarke said: “Matt Gurden has an impressive track record of actuarial consulting in both the private and public sectors across a very broad range of areas.
“I congratulate him on this appointment, and I look forward to working closely with him in providing professional and business leadership to the Government Actuary’s Department and in developing the valuable contribution that actuaries make within the public sector.”
Management and oversight
Matt’s most recent role was as the GAD Actuarial Director for Clients, Growth and Development. He is a member of the Management Board and Executive.
He provides Management Board oversight for 2 GAD teams – Specialist Actuarial and the Analytical Solutions Team. He is also the chair of the Thought Leadership Oversight Group.
New role
Matt Gurden said: “I am delighted to be named as the new Deputy Government Actuary. It’s an exciting time to be part of GAD as we expand our client offer across the public sector.
“My role as Actuarial Director means I’ve had the opportunity to take the strategic view of the work we undertake to support our clients. GAD’s areas of expertise continue to include insurance, investment, data science, modelling and quality assurance, as well as pensions and social security.”
Matt joined GAD in 2011 after working in a variety of roles in several private sector actuarial consultancies.
Published 25 August 2022
21 Argentines will study in the UK with Chevening scholarships
The British Ambassador welcomed at her Residence the group of young Argentines who were awarded Chevening scholarships.
On Tuesday 23 August, the Ambassador Kirsty Hayes bid farewell to the 21 Argentine scholarship holders who will leave for the UK to do their master’s studies for a year, wishing them a safe and successful trip.
In her speech, the Ambassador congratulated the scholars and appreciated the diversity of courses and universities chosen by the young students who will spend a year in the United Kingdom.
The Chevening scholarships allow outstanding young leaders to carry out postgraduate studies at a British university of their choice with all the expenses covered.
Applications to study during 2023-2024 are open from 2 August to 1 November 2022. Apply today at https://www.chevening.org/apply.
Complete list of 2022/2023 scholars
- Aguilera, Manuel – MPA Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value – University College London
- Benavídez Lo Bello, Lucía Mariel – MSc Human Rights and Politics – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Bergia, Agostina – MPP Public Policy – University of Oxford
- Bonelli, Bárbara – MSc in Urban Development Planning – University College London
- Brizuela, Agustina – MPA Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value – University College London
- Bulat, Santiago – MSc Development Economics -University of Sussex
- Caprarulo, Joaquín – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Casalia, Joaquín – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Colli, Kevin Emilio – MSc Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development – Queen’s University Belfast
- Fourcade, Azul – MA Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation – University of Sussex
- González, Guadalupe Andrea – MSc Social Data Science – University of Essex
- Guerrero, Gonzalo – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Itoiz, Kevin – MA Governance, Development and Public Policy – University of Sussex
- Modernel, Jonathan Alexander – MSc Social Research Methods – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Moreno, Teófilo – MA Governance, Development and Public Policy – University of Sussex
- Novillo Funes, Sofía – MSc Gender (Sexuality) – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Pesce, Martina – MSc Public Health for Development – London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Piazza, Matías Nicolás – MSc The Political Economy of Emerging Markets – King’s College London
- Semenzato, Rosario – MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Steuermann Waibsnaider, Ezequiel Natan – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
- Walsh Astuena, Agustina Malena – MSc Global Strategy & Sustainability – University of Edinburgh
Published 25 August 2022