Introduction
I underlined the significance of the international community coming together to uphold the UN Charter in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Security will be multi-faceted. The week just before that, I was at the Un in New York, discussing Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela and many problems important to the region. There is also competition for ideals. We are also steadfast supporters of those who bravely defend democratic principles in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. and to support the democratic institutions that will underpin national security. We are negotiating a new trade agreement with South america. It has been encouraging to find the region’s multilateral bodies using similar action, with the Organisation of American States as well as the Inter-American Development Bank each taking significant steps to exclude Russia. China’s system and approach – their view of democratic norms, human rights and national security for example – brings risks alongside the economic opportunities for the area. A week ago I was in Bolivia and Ecuador. He committed to “make a long term and sustained hard work to revive old friendships and build new ones, reaching far beyond our long-established alliances. ” And we signed a Dual Taxation Agreement with Brazilian late last year – which will help companies in both countries. Switching firstly to geo-politics. The UK Government is supporting and going after an increasing number of exciting joint tasks with partners in the region. And the threats into it are constantly evolving. This particular government has committed to heighten our work with partners within Latin America… In Nicaragua, repression is increasing. Global events last year served to remind us all exactly how strongly economic security and national security are connected. Over and above the clean energy changeover, broader cooperation on weather change is central to our partnerships in the region. The Falkland Islanders, like everyone else, deserve the freedom to decide their own long term, in political, cultural, economic and development terms. Lula posseses an ambitious programme to deliver the green and inclusive economic transition for Brazil, which may have clear benefits for the UK and the world.
Geo-politics
Climate change is the greatest threat to global protection and prosperity, and Latina America has a key part to play is limiting it, including the global transition to wash energy. But we know that Latin The united states is aware of the risks associated with receiving large-scale investments from wealthy third countries, and we understand why tough decisions are needed. And Brazil is home to most of the world’s niobium resources. They have a quarter of the world’s jungles, a quarter of the world’s cultivable land, almost two-thirds from the world’s lithium reserves… as well as the list goes on. There is a long way still to visit end the violence and criminality that has plagued Colombia for so long. Ensuring that forests, and the indigenous peoples and local communities who live there are guarded, is a huge challenge. And hugely important. to bolster economic plus climate security… We have supported that process with almost 70 mil pounds from the UK’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. And we will continue to ensure the Security Council offers the support plus guidance needed. Two centuries back, we sent our first consuls to many newly self-employed countries in the region – a set of anniversaries that we plan to mark this year, in a series of occasions around Latin America. I applaud Latin American countries for taking a progressive stand worldwide and domestically. Through promoting initiatives around ladies in cyber in Argentina. Helping Uruguay carry out a National Cyber Risk Evaluation. To signing a cyber Memorandum of Understanding along with Brazil. As a leader in green financial we are working to mobilise personal investment, and align our own existing ODA funding on climate and nature, along with Lula’s green and inclusive economic transition agenda – which has ‘keeping forests standing’ at its heart. We continue to encourage almost all parties to do everything essential to return democracy to Venezuela, and to hold free, fair presidential elections in 2024, in accordance with international democratic standards. In doing so, we build on the work in our predecessors. And this despite Latin America’s potential to be a part of the treatment for food and energy insecurity, using its vast natural resources. Since last year, Colombia has been one of the largest recipients of UK International Climate Finance, which has helped protect one of the world’s the majority of biodiverse countries, tackle environmental crime and associated assault, as well as develop sustainable and inclusive economies in conflict-affected areas. Since 2010 we have expanded the diplomatic network – reopening Embassies in Paraguay plus El Salvador, and setting up new consulates in Recife and Belo Horizonte. In the last few years we have seen a coordinated attempt by some states across the globe to roll back women’s plus LGBT rights. Cuba’s Sept legalisation of same-sex relationship and adoption being a good example. In 2023, Brazil includes a seat on the UN Safety Council, and will assume the particular G20 Presidency next year. They have also launched a bid in order to host COP30 in the Amazon . com in 2025. Which is why the UK Government functions expand free and reasonable trade, and build hyperlinks between UK and international businesses, innovators and researchers. But the 2016 peace agreement between the authorities and the FARC shows so what can be achieved with determination plus leadership on all edges. Many Latin American countries were joint designers of the COP 26 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use – an agreement that promotes biodiversity and sustainable land make use of where it is most required.
Economic Protection
But the region also offers the greatest disparities globally between rich and the poor. And democratic institutions have come under strain in a number of places. Which is why the UK is working to assistance the infrastructure development the region needs with UNITED KINGDOM expertise and finance, including investments from the private sectors. Where democratic institutions fail, it is often sounds of freedom and the many vulnerable who suffer the results most acutely. It is incumbent on all free countries to stand for freedom, democracy and the sovereignty of nations around the world. Thank you to RUSI pertaining to inviting me to talk today. I’m joining a person from my constituency of Macclesfield, where I’ll spend the day speaking to constituents – as I do most Fridays. And the shared values and interests mean that we have many organic partners in the region. President Lula’s return provides an opportunity to deepen our romantic relationship with Brazil on environment change, as well as on trade, growth, security and other shared focal points. Despite lots of good practice plus progress in many countries, concerns for Human Rights and gender equality remain. And we help fund CMAR – the Eastern Exotic Pacific Marine Corridor – with Blue Planet Funds. I want to see trade with the UK growing right across the Americas. China, for example , is conspicuously competing for global influence in the region, using a variety of levers of state power. Within energy-rich Venezuela, the World Food programme estimates that there are presently 5. 8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. There is no replacement for meeting my counterparts, speaking with a wide range of people, and seeing the difference our overseas missions make – for the UNITED KINGDOM and for our partners. Two thirds associated with known global lithium reserves are in Latin America. Such progress has often had to overcome disinformation from third parties – just as Latin America is a key target for Russian disinformation in relation to Ukraine.
Climate Security
When i travel, I hear heavy concern about rocketing prices, but no lessening of the determination to condemn Russian aggression, and the challenge it presents to all of our security, and to the international order on which we all rely. The UK is negotiating to participate the Trans-Pacific free trade agreement as soon as possible – which will further benefit our business with Chile, Mexico and Peru. And the agreement signed last week with the University of Warwick, that will provide scholarships, exercising and joint research upon battery production to the Bolivian Government. Individuals of the Falkland Islands make very clear – most comprehensively in the 2013 referendum – that they wish to maintain their current relationship with the UK, as is their absolute right. Although Ukraine is many thousands of kilometres away, Latin America is suffering from the fallout from Putin’s war in terms of higher power, food and fertiliser prices, which usually as we all know feed in to higher prices across the panel. Which includes work with the Chilean government and regulators to help shape global standards for the manufacturing and supply of green hydrogen. The UK will continue to support the islanders’ right of self-determination as firmly as we have done to date. The process is one that deserves broad international support. Last week I could see how equipment donated with the UK helps protect Ecuador’s Special Mobile Antinarcotics Unit. An investment that helps limit the drugs heading for our shores. We have been contributing £100 million to the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund within Honduras, Guatemala and other nations. to reinforce international peace and security… Thousands have been forced to flee the nation as refugees, putting a huge strain on generous neighbours
Serenity and Democracy
It had been heartening to hear Ecuador, whom joined the Security Council this particular month, condemning Russia. Chile and Peru have forty percent of the world’s copper reserves – a key component of wind generators. Latin America is home to greater than 660 million people, that’s nearly a tenth from the world’s population. And has the combined GDP of almost six trillion dollars. In the region where ‘disappearances’ remain worryingly high, most obviously in Mexico, more must be done to support vulnerable groups, and people who seek to shed light on their plight. Healthy democracy – with institutions which are responsive to people’s needs — is another important insurance policy against insecurity. Organised crime, fuelled mainly by the production and trafficking of illegal drugs, is constantly on the curse the region, feeding problem, corroding institutions, and harming the environment through deforestation and illegal mining. Including on many aspects of security you will be discussing today. And before Christmas I was in the Dominican Republic, Panama and Colombia. And I will be on the road again in a few weeks. Along with countries in the region, we encounter a rapidly growing set of worldwide challenges and opportunities, through climate to commerce, protection to science. Previously this month I talked at the United Nations Security Council meeting on the rule associated with law. To conclude. We know – within our increasingly multipolar world – that pressure is applied to countries on a variety of issues. In short, Latin America is big and yes it matters. It has immense resources and potential. And of course, it also has its challenges. There has been well-publicised constitutional unrest in Peru plus Brazil – and we happen to be vocal in our support regarding democratic principles and the constitutional order. In the last three years alone, the UK provides funded cyber capacity-building for more than a dozen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Good morning, buenos dias, bom dia. Indeed, an extremely early good morning if you are dialling in from Latin America. We are also working with partners in the region to help make cyberspace an open and safe engine of knowledge and development – shaping the worldwide governance of cyberspace according to our shared values. Talking of democracy, it would be remiss of me not to mention the particular Falklands. That is why, as the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have said, we are accelerating our assistance to the Ukrainian Government to make sure they prevail. I look forward to discussing that work with you. The UK Government is constantly on the deliver on our pledge to invest up to £300m tackling deforestation in the Amazon region. The beauty and vitality of each of the countries I’ve visited continues to be plain to see. So too can be their potential and promise. And in the UN earlier this month, we won support for the latest UK-led Security Council resolution backing the Colombian Peace Procedure. Since I became Minister just for Latin America and the Carribbean three months ago, I’ve spent a lot of time far from Macclesfield. In his speech in December, the Foreign Secretary set out how over coming decades “an ever greater share of the planet economy – and therefore the world’s power – will be in the hands of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America”. Some are the same global problems we all face as we recover from COVID, grapple with inflation flowing from Putin’s invasion associated with Ukraine, and fight environment change. Therefore I’m pleased that Anglo-American have invested five . 5 billion dollars in the Peruvian Quellaveco mine. Generally Assembly votes last year, 85% of countries in the Americas voted to condemn Vladimir Putin’s actions; second simply to Europe in the unanimity associated with condemnation. This will increase copper production and include one percent to Peru’s GDP, while also pushing better environmental, social plus governance standards.
