Dear Members and Friends,
As we continue to work with our international development members with the aim of ensuring that reduced FCDO budgets are put to most effective use, it was good to have the opportunity alongside a few members to meet with Jillian Popkins, the new Chief Commissioner of ICAI (Independent Commission on Aid Impact). While ICAI’s statutory role is unchanged, it was refreshing to hear how Jillian and her team are working to ensure that their unique independent voice can play a greater role in informing the broader debate in Government and beyond on the place of international development in the UK’s wider foreign policy.We will continue to work closely with ICAI and provide a channel for members to contribute to their programme of reviews.
International development is, of course, a major contributor to the UK’s soft power, so the publication of the UK Soft Power Group’s (UKSPG) latest report on strengthening soft power, which fully covers both development and climate action, is timely. UKSPG is co-chaired by the British Foreign Policy Group, so please do get in touch if you are interested in its work.Meanwhile the broader context in which the UK’s development diplomacy and defence operate remains as full of surprises as we have become used to, some much more welcome than others. On the one hand, we have news this week of trade deals with India and the US with some promising opportunities for a number of our members. On the other hand, for those with an interest in the tensions between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, I draw your attention to the latest primer by the International Centre for Sustainability (full disclosure: of which I am a Fellow), which helpfully brings together both international and domestic dimensions.
Next week, on Wednesday 14 May, you can join us for an in-person panel event on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) with Vanessa Komiliades, Head of Professional Development at the British Council; Dionne Ross, Associate Head of School for International Initial Teacher Training at University of Sunderland; and Joe Bell, Client Manager – Skills Development at City & Guilds. This in-person panel will explore different approaches to CPD frameworks and training educators in an international context.
Looking ahead, on 19 May there will be an opportunity to learn about Investment Opportunities in Zanzibar. We will be joined by the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) and a range of Tanzania/Zanzibar-based investors to explore opportunities across energy, infrastructure, and the Blue Economy. This event is open to both BEI members and non-members and will be an excellent opportunity to explore partnerships for UK businesses in Zanzibar.
We’ve added two new events to our programme. First, a deep dive on Infrastructure Opportunities focusing on Kazakhstan on 29 May from 1000 – 1130. At this webinar we will hear from speakers from DBT Kazakhstan, UKEF and AIFC, who will discuss Kazakhstan's strategic infrastructure priorities and provide their perspectives on financing options and practical tools designed to assist UK businesses.T
hen on 5 June, we will host our latest climate intersections discussion: ‘Intersection of Climate Change and Social Security.’ In partnership with Development Pathways and Cowater International, this event will examine the critical role of social security systems in addressing climate change vulnerabilities.
Finally, we have a new blog on the website drawing from a recent roundtable on ‘Resilience in Action,’ in collaboration with Mercy Corps and NIRAS. Highlighting case studies discussed during the roundtable, this piece explores how resilience programming can be strengthened in practice, across the climate, water, agriculture, economic, and peace sectors.Plenty on everyone’s agenda again this week and in the weeks to come. In the meantime, warm wishes for the weekend.
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
Key events coming up include the following:
- 14th May 2025 12:00 – 14:30 BST: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - Join us for an in-person panel event on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), with speakers from the British Council, City & Guilds Institute and the University of Sunderland. The in-person panel will explore different approaches to CPD frameworks and training educators in an international context.
- 19th May 2025 10:30 – 14:30 BST: Investment Opportunities in Zanzibar: Meet the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority - This in-person event will provide a platform for the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) and a range of Tanzania/Zanzibar-based investors to meet with key organisations in the UK, showcase opportunities across energy, infrastructure and the Blue Economy in Zanzibar, and facilitate partnership discussions with UK private sector organisations.
- 22nd May 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. Our keynote speaker this time is Mark Harvey, Founder and CEO of Resurgence – a global social enterprise that supports urban climate risk reduction and resilience. Mark is currently leading DARAJA, an award-winning weather, climate and early warning services initiative.
- 29th June 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Deep-Dive on Infrastructure Opportunities in Kazakhstan - As the ninth-largest country in the world, Kazakhstan boasts a vast and diverse landscape requiring extensive infrastructure development, including energy, transport, water, and digital systems. Speakers from DBT Kazakhstan, UKEF and the AIFC will discuss Kazakhstan's strategic infrastructure priorities and provide their perspectives on financing options and practical tools designed to assist UK businesses.
- 5th June 2025 10:30 – 11:30 BST: Intersection of Climate Change and Social Security - Join us online for a webinar on the “Intersection of Climate Change and Social Security”. Our speakers from Development Pathways and Cowater International will examine the critical role of social security systems in addressing climate change vulnerabilities.
- 11th June 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. Our keynote speaker this time is Virginie Fayolle, Head of Climate at Mott MacDonald International Development Services.
- 26th June 2025 10:00 – 11:30 BST: Achieving Systems Change for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Adaptation - This roundtable will explore the complexities of Disaster Risk Management, with a particular focus on Early Warning Systems and locally-led solutions to resilience, and discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges.
- DATE TBA 2025 16:00 – 19:00 BST: Place-based Skills for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation - Join us for a panel discussion on Place-based Skills for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). This in-person panel will explore how localised engineering practices can address the challenges of climate change by creating sustainable, adaptable, and resilient communities. Our panellists will showcase successful examples of place-based skilling for climate mitigation and adaptation, including case studies from the UK and globally.
External Events and Reports:
- 2nd - 6th June 2025: Asia Clean Energy Forum 2025 at ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines. This is one of ADB’s signature events where clean energy practitioners from across the world convene to share insights and experience in the design and implementation of concrete actions that accelerate the financing of clean and efficient energy solutions. For more details on how the 2024 ACEF transpired, you may refer to this link: Home ACEF 2024 - Asia Clean Energy Forum
- 12th & 13th June 2025: International Law Summits: Energy Arbitration & Dispute Resilution in the Middle East and Africa - International Law Summits is hosting the 8th Annual Conference on Energy Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in the Middle East and Africa on 12-13 June. There’s a 10% discount with the code EARLYBIRD2025. Register here.
- 25th - 26th August 2025: World Women Entrepreneurs Forum (WWEF), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - The World Women Entrepreneurs Forum (WWEF) emerges in response to this urgent need—to not only celebrate the progress made, but to challenge the systems that limit it. Held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the theme Inspire, Impact, Invest, the Forum will serve as a global platform to uplift women entrepreneurs by fostering connection, capacity, and capital. It will bring together leaders, changemakers, investors, and advocates to co-create an ecosystem where womenled businesses thrive and transform economies.
- 3rd - 5th September 2025, KazBuild 2025, Kazakhstan: Stand booking is now open for international exhibitors at KazBuild exhibition in Kazakhstan - the largest international building and interiors exhibition in Kazakhstan, annually welcoming over 7,000 specialist trade visitors to the show. KazBuild will be held 3-5 September 2025 in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan. Held since 1994, the exhibition showcases the latest products, services, technologies, and projects available on the market, and provides a key platform for governmental and building industry professionals to exchange experiences, establish cooperation and share the latest industry developments. Please contact Mrs. Tatyana Borodikhina by email: tatyana.borodikhina@exhibitions-conferences.com to learn more about how KazBuild can help to establish your business in Kazakhstan.
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