Written questions by Jogee.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Jordanian counterpart on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Jordan corridor has been a vital channel for achieving the scale of aid needed in Gaza over the last 18 months. The UK has worked with Jordan to facilitate the supply of aid through this channel. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met His Majesty King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Safadi of Jordan on 5 June, and discussed ways to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Prime Minister emphasised that it was vital that a sustainable ceasefire and the release of all hostages be secured, and humanitarian aid be delivered at speed and volume. He reiterated that if Israel did not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, the UK and its partners would take further concrete actions in response. Both leaders agreed on the importance of the Palestinian Authority's reform agenda as part of the path to a two-state solution and lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken since 1 May 2025 to advance the implementation of a two-state solution to the crisis in the Middle East.

The UK's commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people and are regularly engaging Israelis, Palestinians and regional partners on this. On May 19, alongside France and Canada, the UK issued a joint statement expressing concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. On May 20, the UK sanctioned Israeli individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK is also continuing to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) as it delivers its vital reform agenda. An effective PA is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution, and the UK is supporting the Palestinian Authority as delivers much-needed reforms.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabia counterpart on increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

As part of our continuous engagement at all levels with Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Gaza and the humanitarian crisis on 10 May.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Myanmar.

We continue to closely monitor and assess the political and security context in Myanmar and ensure this informs UK policy.In assessing the security and humanitarian access constraints, we have continued to prioritise delivering humanitarian aid mainly through local partners, to reach populations most in need, and have been clear at the UN Security Council on calling for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.Additionally, we continue to assess and call out the escalating conflict. In April, the UK supported a Human Rights Council Resolution calling for protection of civilians and all minorities and in May I called out the reported military airstrikes on schools and civilians' infrastructure.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart on trade.

The Foreign Secretary spoke with his new Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on 30 May, and met with her in person on 6 June. On both occasions, they discussed a wide range of issues across our economic and security relationship. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to working with her closely in the future to deepen the vitally important UK-Canada relationship, including through strengthening our significant economic partnership.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a British High Commissioner has been appointed in all Commonwealth member states.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regularly reviews its overseas network to ensure it reflects UK foreign priorities and provides effective representation across the Commonwealth. All Commonwealth member states, except the UK, have a UK High Commissioner representation. This may be resident or non-resident High Commissioners. The UK has the UK Commonwealth Envoy based in the FCDO in London.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent engagement his Department has had with the Sudanese diaspora in the United Kingdom.

Sudan is a personal priority for the Foreign Secretary. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Ministers and officials most recently engaged with members of the Sudanese diaspora during the run up to the 15 April London Sudan Conference. This included a roundtable with representatives of the Sudanese diaspora that the Minister for Africa, hosted at the FCDO on 31 March. The FCDO will continue to engage with members of the Sudanese diaspora as part of our ongoing work.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve relations with the African Union.

The UK is committed to a close relationship with the African Union (AU). The UK Office to the AU, based in Addis Abba, works closely with the AU across a range of country specific and thematic themes. The Deputy Prime Minister became the first non-African leader to meet the newly elected AU Commission Chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, on 17 February, just two days after his election success. The Foreign Secretary was delighted that the AU co-hosted the London-Sudan Conference with us on 15 April. We look forward to the next ministerial level UK-AU High-Level Dialogue in the autumn.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to increase the level of funding for supporting food-insecure people in Sudan.

At the recent London Sudan Conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a package of support budgeted at £120 million which will deliver life-saving services to more than 650,000 people. In total, more than £800 million was pledged at the conference. Since the start of the conflict millions of people have benefitted from UK funded humanitarian programmes. Supporting humanitarian aid delivery in Sudan remains a top priority for this government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts who participated in the London Sudan Conference on 15 April 2025 to help ensure that the principles agreed at that Conference to (a) seek an immediate and permanent ceasefire, (b) protect civilians and (c) allow humanitarian supplies and personnel are implemented.

Alongside those states that attended the London Sudan Conference, the UK is taking coordinated action to strengthen the protection of civilians and to improve aid delivery. We continue to advocate for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including UNSCR 2736 (2024) on El Fasher, Darfur. Additionally, the UK and its partners are advocating for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to meet the new Chair of the African Union.

The Foreign Secretary sent congratulations to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf following his election as Chairman of the African Union Commission on 15 February. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, was visiting Addis Ababa on 17 February and congratulated Youssouf in person. Chairperson-elect Youssouf will take-up office on 15 March, and we hope there will be an opportunity for the Foreign Secretary to meet with him soon after.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Middle East on (a) the territorial integrity of the West Bank and (b) the steps that will be taken to ensure the establishment of a free, safe, independent and secure Palestine alongside a safe and secure Israel.

The Foreign Secretary raised this issue when he spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 22 January. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. We are of the clear view that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) as rapidly as possible - but this must be done in a way that creates the conditions for negotiations towards the two-state solution. The UK will continue to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US, and regional partners to build consensus for a post-conflict Gaza governance and security framework that supports conditions for a permanent and sustainable peace. We must give the people of the West Bank and Gaza the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future, and it needs to be irreversible.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Namibian counterpart on relations between the UK and that country.

The UK enjoys a warm partnership with the Republic of Namibia, built upon our shared interests of driving economic growth, building climate resilience, and promoting Commonwealth values. Namibia recently held elections in November 2024. We are exploring ministerial attendance at the Presidential inauguration in March, to meet the new administration and discuss opportunities that promote economic growth, as well as listening to Namibian views on the new Africa Approach.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) potential and (c) adequacy of relations between the UK and West Africa.

The UK and West Africa have shared interests from security to investment and development to climate resilience. But West Africa is also a diverse region, with the UK valuing its partnership with each West African nation. For example, the Foreign Secretary visited Nigeria in November and agreed a new Strategic Partnership enabling greater UK-Nigerian cooperation on shared priorities. On 7 January, Lord Collins attended Ghanaian President John Mahama's inauguration, strengthening ties with Ghana and other regional leaders. Lord Collins also visited Ghana and Senegal in September focusing on UK support to boost growth, clean energy, food security and women's empowerment. In his speech at the UK/Francophone West and Central Africa Trade Forum on 4 December, Lord Collins highlighted the Government's desire to strengthen UK trade partnerships across the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times Ministers in his Department have engaged with the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since 5 July 2024.

The Foreign Secretary spoke with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett, on 15 August. The Foreign Secretary expressed solidarity with the Caribbean following Hurricane Beryl. They also discussed the situation in Haiti and reaffirm the deep UK-CARICOM relationship, including the need to advance the UK-CARICOM Memorandum of Understanding. During visits to Grenada and Barbados, the Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean had a bilateral meeting with the then Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada. They discussed a number of issues, including disaster preparedness, climate finance and the ongoing challenges in Haiti.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) potential and (c) adequacy of relations between the UK and sub-Saharan Southern Africa.

The Foreign Secretary launched a five-month consultation to inform the UK's new approach to the African continent during a visit to Nigeria and South Africa in November 2024. Our goal is a fundamentally transformed partnership that delivers mutual long-term benefits, driving our domestic economic growth and addressing migration priorities. The UK enjoys warm relations with the different countries in sub-Saharan Southern Africa, illustrated by the numerous visits to the region by me, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa in 2024. The Minister for Africa has upcoming trips to Botswana and Tanzania in January 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times Ministers in his Department have engaged with the leadership of the Southern African Development Community since 5 July 2024.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers, including the Foreign Secretary and I, have enjoyed broad engagement with the leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during visits to South Africa, Malawi and Zambia. The Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, has had three ministerial engagements with the Tanzanian government and the current Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs. Lord Collins is due to meet with Southern African Development Community leadership during his upcoming visit to Botswana (14-16 January 2025), discussing areas of mutual interest, including energy reform and regional security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) potential and (c) adequacy of relations between the UK and East Africa.

East Africa and the UK have strong people-to-people ties, vital trading relations, critical security partnerships, and British institutions such as the BBC are hugely popular. We have a significant Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio - in October 2024, Lord Collins visited Ethiopia, where he announced £16m in funding to support the Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme, and Seychelles, to sign an ambitious economic security partnership on illicit finance. As penholder on Somalia at the UN Security Council, we delivered a mandate for the new African Union Stabilisation and Support Mission. With sufficient stability, East Africa has potential for greater commercial cooperation with UK and the new Africa approach will set out a distinctive UK offer which addresses shared interests and strengthens partnerships.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) potential and (c) adequacy of relations between the UK and North Africa.

The relationship between the UK and the countries of North Africa focuses on a range of shared interests, including trade and investment, working together on migration, regional stability, and people-to-people links. There is greater potential, including to increase trade from £11bn, and to meet demand for greater English language capacity. We are working to develop comprehensive partnerships to tackle irregular migration and have regular dialogues on regional stability, such as the importance of tackling Russian efforts to increase its presence in the region and aligning efforts to address the conflicts of the Sahel and wider Middle East.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to help secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza since 19 December 2024.

Securing an immediate ceasefire and the safe release of all hostages, including Emily Damari and three other hostages with strong links to the UK, remains the UK's top priority. We have continuously supported hostage talks, and we continue to work alongside our allies and partners in the region, exercising every possible diplomatic lever to see them immediately released. Since 19 December 2024, the Foreign Secretary has talked to several of his counterparts from across the region. On 6 January, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, offered UK support for negotiations, and stressed the importance of securing a ceasefire to enable the safe return of Emily Damari and the three other UK-linked hostages and see an end to the war in Gaza.