The Adjournment Debate in Westminster Hall - 21 June 2011

Government Strategy on Conflict Prevention

’We want to be the world leader in terms of making a real impact in this absolutely vital area.’

The words of Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, speaking for the government.

Co-Chair of the APPGCI Simon Hughes MP led the 90-minute debate, only the second-ever in Parliament devoted to conflict prevention, and was praised by the minister:

’I’d like to congratulate him on the work he’s done with the All-Party Group [on Conflict Issues] and the honourable colleagues who have been supportive of that group, which I think is one of the most important groups in Parliament.’

The key points and commitments made by the minister include:

Programme resources in the Conflict Pool will rise from
229m to 309m by 2014-15

The Stabilisation Unit will be refocused to give more
attention to upstream conflict prevention

By 2014-15 HMG will increase to 30% the proportion
of UK overseas development assistance that supports
conflict-affected and fragile states

HMG will seek to improve its early-warning and
early-response capabilities

HMG will seek to improve its cooperation on conflict
prevention with partner countries and organisations

HMG supports the suggestion to convene a ministerial
seminar on conflict prevention that involves a wide
range of stakeholders

A full recording of the debate can be watched here.
The Hansard report can be read here.

Backgound material is available on the Resources page.
 

About Us

TankThe All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues was officially registered on 21 December 2006. Co-chairs - Simon Hughes MP (Lib Dem), John McDonnell MP (Lab), Gary Streeter MP (Con); Secretary - Jeffrey Donaldson MP (DUP); Treasurer - Andy Slaughter MP (Lab)Photo Collage

The Secretariat to the APPG on Conflict Issues is supplied by Engi.