Jun 2, 2023

BEI Weekly Update — 2nd June 2023

by

Peter O’Kane

by

Dear Members and Friends,

We kick off our Meet The Ambassador series next week - with a number of virtual events, followed by a series of in-person briefings starting from 12th June. We have constructed the programme to give more time for each Ambassador, and allow more time for questions. The details of all the sessions are captured below.

Last week, our Climate Change Working Group was delighted to hear the expert contribution of Mark Broomfield from Ricardo, who spoke at our Climate Change Working Group networking evening about Air Pollution. You can see Katie’s reflections on this issue and its link to Climate Change here.

This week, members of British Expertise International had their first ‘round table’ discussion with our senior advisor, Nick Forbes CBE, formerly leader of Newcastle City council and a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet. I have no doubt there will be a number of sessions following up with key members of the Shadow Cabinet to explore, amongst other things, the future for International Development, Soft Power and Britain’s place in the world. Nick is also available to spend time 1-1 with members; should this be of interest, please contact Robin in the first instance.

In 23 Grafton Street, next week sees the launch of D-Contemporary’s annual ‘Open Call’ exhibition ‘Passages’, supported by the generous sponsorship of Vermeer Partners. The exhibition aims to discover, showcase, and support the creative practices of artists from around the world. Presenting the works of our 19 finalists, who have been selected for their unique and diverse perspectives, they express their vision of Passages through a wide range of mediums, including painting, video art, sculpture, and installation. The exhibition will be a testament to the power of art in reflecting and shaping the world around us. Click here for details on the private view on 8th June, rsvp here.‍

An exciting few weeks ahead, we look forward to seeing you in the building soon.

Best Wishes

Peter O’Kane

Chairman

British Expertise International/Strategy International

Recordings of recent past events:

25th May 2023: Health in a Changing Climate: The Intersection of Climate Change and Healthcare

Key events coming up include the following:

6th June 2023 15:00-16:30 BST: The World Bank - Global Economic Prospects Report - Join us for a presentation of the World Bank Group’s June 2023 Global Economic Prospects (GEP) Report. This report will provide invaluable support in identifying the economic prospects in countries and regions where BEI members already operate or may wish to expand into.
7th June 2023 15:50-16:50 BST: Meet The Ambassadors: Panama & Costa Rica - Join us as we welcome Ben Lyster-Binns, His Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica & Tim Stew MBE, His Majesty's Ambassador to Panama.
8th June 2023 10:00-11:00 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Mongolia & Kyrgyzstan - Join us virtually as we welcome Philip Malone LVO, British Ambassador to Mongolia & Ann Herrigan, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Bishkek.
12th June 2023 10:20-11:20 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Cambodia - Join us as we welcome Dominic Williams MBE, the British Ambassador to Cambodia.
12th June 2023 14:40-15:40 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Ethiopia - Join us as we welcome Darren Welch, Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
12th June 2023 15:50-16:50 BST: Meet The Ambassadors: Mexico & Peru - Join us as we welcome Gavin Cook, His Majesty's Ambassador to Peru & Jon Benjamin, His Majesty's Ambassador to Mexico.
13th June 2023 10:20-11:20 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Pakistan - Join us as we welcome Andrew Dalgleish, the Acting High Commissioner to Pakistan.
14th June 2023 14:40-15:40 BST: Meet The Ambassadors: Malawi & Mozambique - Join us as we welcome Fiona Ritchie, British High Commissioner to the Republic of Malawi & Helen Lewis, British High Commissioner to the Republic of Mozambique.
15th June 2023 13:00-14:00 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Kazakhstan - Join us as we welcome Kathy Leach, Her Majesty's British Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
16th June 2023 08:30-09:30 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Australia - Join us as we welcome Vicki Treadell, the British High Commissioner to Australia.
16th June 2023 11:40-12:40 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Ukraine - Join us as we welcome Melinda Simmons DCMG, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine.
16th June 2023 14:40-15:40 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Viet Nam - Join us as we welcome Iain Frew, the UK’s Ambassador to Viet Nam.
16th June 2023 15:50-16:50 BST: Meet The Ambassadors: Japan & South Korea - Join us as we welcome Julia Longbottom CMG, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Japan and Colin Crooks LVO, Her Majesty's Ambassador to South Korea.
20th June 2023 12:00-13:00 BST: Meet The Ambassadors: Ghana & Nigeria - Join us virtually as we welcome Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana and Richard Montgomery CMG, British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
22nd June 2023 10:20-11:20 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Algeria - Join us virtually as we welcome Sharon Wardle, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Algeria.
22nd June 2023 11:40-12:40 BST: Meet The Ambassador: Namibia - Join us virtually as we welcome Charles Moore, British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia.
26th June 2023 10:20-11:20 BST: Meet The Ambassadors: South Africa & Botswana - Join us as we welcome Antony Phillipson & Sian Price, British High Commissioners to South Africa & Botswana.
4th July 2023 12:00-15:00 BST: Roundtable with Nick Dyer, Director General, Humanitarian and Development (in person)- Join us for an in-person roundtable with Nick Dyer, Director General, Humanitarian and Development. Nick will provide an overview of the UK’s International Development Strategy (IDS) and address the key priorities for the UK in delivering humanitarian aid.
6th July 2023 14:30-16:30 BST: Roundtable with Mark Eastwood, UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan - Join us for an in-person roundtable with Mark Eastwood, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan who will speak to the subject of Government-to-Government discussions between the UK and Pakistan on infrastructure, renewables, and education, and will provide members with an update on the current trade dialogue between the two countries.
11th July 2023 16:00-19:30 BST: Climate Change Working Group Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversations with leaders across UK industry in the climate space. Our keynote speaker will be Dr Iris Soler, Associate Director at Turner & Townsend, who will explore links between water with climate.

Register for an upcoming event →

External Events

20th-23rd June: Join the Africa Energy Forum - The Africa Energy Forum is a conference and exhibition for the continent’s most influential clean growth stakeholders. It aims to drive policies; promote innovation and stimulate deals that will position UK business ahead as Africa takes more steps towards sustainable energy. Please use the link above to register!