- Keynote speech will celebrate 200 years of UK-Latin America
relations and set out ambitious future partnership
-
will set out how
multilateral institutions like the UN need reform to give more
voice and more influence to region
- He will outline trade and investment opportunities with the
value of imports and exports rising by 45.4% last year
Foreign Secretary will use a keynote speech in
the Chilean capital Santiago today (Monday 22 May) to set out the
UK’s future relationship with Latin America.
The speech comes as British embassies across the continent
prepare to celebrate 200 years of UK-Latin America relations.
At Santiago’s Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre, Cleverly will
speak of his pride in the role the UK played in supporting the
struggle for Latin America’s independence two centuries ago –
describing Britain as the region’s ‘oldest friend’.
The Foreign Secretary will say the ‘tectonic plates of world
politics are shifting once again’ and will use his address to
young leaders to highlight the values that unite Latin America
and the UK.
On the shared values between the UK and Latin America,
Cleverly will say:
“Our position is clear. Respect for sovereignty, territorial
integrity, self-determination and human rights must
prevail. Alongside democracy, the rule of law, liberty and
freedom. We know these are your values too.”
Cleverly will highlight the UK-Latin America partnership on
matters of global importance, including tackling climate change,
upholding democracy and human rights and securing free and open
supply chains of critical minerals.
On UK-Latin American relations in the
21st Century, the Foreign Secretary will
say:
“We should be ambitious for our future relationship. Not just
because of the historical bonds of friendship that have united us
for more than 200 years, but because we treasure the same
fundamental values that inspired the creation of this
international order. It will only evolve, survive and prosper
with the support and whole-hearted engagement of this great
region.”
Cleverly will call for Latin American countries to be
given a louder voice in multinational organisations like the UN,
including a permanent Security Council seat for Brazil:
“[Latin America’s] demographic and economic weight
gives you a pivotal role in determining whether the international
order will endure… But our world’s multilateral
institutions need reform, in particular to give more voice and
more influence to Latin America.”
Latin America, home to 660 million people and with combined GDP
of almost $6 trillion, is an enormous potential market for the
UK. Mexico, Chile and Peru are among the region’s members the UK
will be joining in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement
for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trading bloc – boosting
British jobs, growth and influence.
To set out the importance of engagement with Latin
America, the Foreign Secretary will highlight trade and
investment opportunities that exist following the UK’s accession
to CPTPP:
“The total value of imports and exports rose by a
massive 45.4% last year to more than £40 billion. But with Latin
America representing only 2% of UK imports and 2.5% of UK exports
worldwide, I recognise that there is much more to do on trade and
investment.”
It comes during the first visit by a Foreign Secretary to South
America since 2018 – helping meet a UK foreign policy objective
to revive old friendships and build new ones beyond established
alliances. As well as Chile and Colombia, Cleverly is also
travelling to Brazil.
The address in Santiago builds on the Foreign Secretary’s
commitment to deepening engagement with countries in Asia, Africa
and Latin America made in his speech on 12 December
2022 - where he said the UK’s future global impact
will depend on winning over a far broader array of global
partners.
Referencing the leadership of revolutionary figures like
Simon Bolivar, the Foreign Secretary will say the values that
were evident in Latin America’s fight for independence 200 years
ago can still be harnessed today:
“Two hundred years ago, Simon Bolivar said that ‘the freedom
of the New World is the hope of the universe’. Your love of
freedom continues to inspire the world today. It’s why I’ve come
from London to revive old friendships and build new ones. And to
pledge our long-term commitment.”
Notes to editors
- The Foreign Secretary’s speech will take place at 17:00 BST
on Monday 22 May. It will be available to view online and can be
live-streamed from www.24horas.cl (link
will be made available on the day).
