UK publishes new International Development Strategy

“We welcome the commitment to ensure all UK overseas development assistance drives action on climate change and nature by 2023. However, it’s frustrating that at a time of huge uncertainty in the world, with soaring food prices, conflict in Ukraine and the climate crisis, the UK government shows no urgency in returning its aid spending to 0.7% of GDP.

“While UK bilateral aid has been an important innovator when it comes to tackling the climate crisis, it’s still critically important that the country engages with and contributes to the multilateral system as so many of the world’s challenges require a collective and coordinated response.

"With the devolution of much decision-making to ambassadors and high commissioners, the UK will need to also invest to ensure they receive enough technical advice to make informed decisions.

“The new strategy acknowledges the role of debt distress in some countries’ inability to respond to the climate and nature crisis. As the outgoing president of COP and with many private creditors in the City of London, the UK should take a lead in finding solutions to this.

“There is little to suggest that in its response to climate change, the UK is taking into account the needs and wishes of those most affected by global warming. More funding needs to go to programmes and projects being led by local communities so that people directly affected by climate change have a voice in the decisions being made about their lives.”