PM statement on G20 and leadership of EU institutions

With permission Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on my final G20 and final European Council as Prime Minister.  

 

At this G20 summit in Japan we discussed some of the biggest global challenges facing our nations – including climate change, terrorist propaganda online, risks to the global economy and rising tensions in the Gulf.

 

These discussions were at times difficult but in the end productive. I profoundly believe that we are stronger when we work together. With threats to global stability and trade, that principle is now more important than ever – and throughout this summit my message was on the overriding need for international cooperation and compromise.  

 

Alongside discussions with international partners on economic and security matters, I made clear Britain would always stand by the global rules as the best means of securing peace and prosperity for all of us. 

 

I will take the main issues in turn.

 

 

CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Mr Speaker, on no other issue is the need for international collaboration greater than in the threat to our countries and our people from climate change.

 

As I arrived in Osaka last week, I was immensely proud that Britain had become the world’s first major economy to commit in law to ending our contribution to global warming by 2050.

 

I urged other G20 countries to follow Britain’s lead and set similarly ambitious net zero targets for their own countries.

 

Those gathered at this year’s summit are the last generation of leaders with the power to limit global warming, and I believe we have a duty to heed the call from those asking us to act now for the sake of future generations.

 

Taken together, G20 countries account for 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Discussions were not always easy. But nineteen of the G20 members agreed to the “irreversibility” of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and the importance of implementing our commitments in full.

 

It remains a disappointment that the US continues to opt-out on such a critical global issue. 

 

I outlined Britain’s continued determination to lead the way on climate change through our bid to host, along with Italy, COP26 next year. 

 

And recognising that more needs to be done to support developing countries in managing the impacts of climate change, I announced the UK’s aid budget will be aligned with our climate change goals and used to support the transition to lower greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

 

PREVENTING TERRORIST USE OF THE INTERNET

 

 

Mr Speaker, both as Prime Minister and previously as Home Secretary – I have repeatedly called for greater action to protect people from online harms and remove terrorist propaganda from the internet.

 

In 2017 the attacks in Manchester and London showed how technology could be exploited by terrorists. Following those events the UK took the lead and put this issue squarely on the global agenda. Through our efforts, the Global Internet Forum to Counter-Terrorism was established, a body which has leveraged technology to automate the removal of propaganda online.   

 

But the horrendous attack in Christchurch reminded us that we must maintain momentum, and ensure a better co-ordinated and swifter response to ensure terrorists are never able to broadcast their atrocities in real time. 

 

So I welcome the pledge by G20 leaders at this year’s summit to do more to build on existing efforts and stop terrorists exploiting the internet. 

 

The UK will continue to lead the way in this, including through our support of the major technology companies in developing a new crisis response mechanism. 

 

 

GLOBAL ECONOMY AND TRADE

 

Mr Speaker, at this summit, discussions on the global economy were held against the backdrop of current trade tensions between the US and China.

 

In this context, I reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to free and fair trade, open markets and the rules based trading system as the best means to bolster prosperity and build economies that work for everyone.

 

The UK has long argued that the rules governing global trade need urgent reform and updating to reflect the changing nature of that trade.

 

We continue to press for action to build upon the agreement reached at last year’s summit for WTO reform, and I believe the best way to resolve disputes is through a reformed and strengthened WTO, rather than by increasing tariffs.  

 

 

GULF TENSIONS AND RUSSIA

  

This G20 was also an opportunity to discuss wider global issues with others – including Prime Minister Abe, President Erdogan, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UN Secretary General Guterres.

 

In my conversation with Prime Minster Abe I paid tribute to him for hosting this G20, and thanked him for his role in strengthening the relationship between the UK and Japan. A relationship I have every confidence will continue to grow over the coming years.

 

In a number of my meetings I discussed Iran and rising tensions in the Gulf. Escalation is in no-one’s interest, and engagement is needed on all sides to find a diplomatic solution to the current situation and to counter Iran’s destabilising activity.

 

At the same time, I was clear the UK will continue to work intensively with our JCPoA partners to keep the Iran nuclear deal in place.

 

The breach of that deal by Iran is extremely concerning, and together with France, Germany and the other signatories of the deal, we are urging Iran not to take further steps away from the agreement, and to return to compliance.

 

The deal makes the world safer and I want to see Iran uphold its obligations.  

 

Mr Speaker, I believe wholeheartedly in never shying away from difficult conversations when it is right to hold them. 

 

In my meeting with President Putin I told him there can be no normalisation of our bilateral relationship until Russia stops the irresponsible activity that threatens the UK and its allies.

 

The use of a deadly nerve agent on the streets of our country was a despicable act, which led to the death of Dawn Sturgess.

 

I was clear the UK has irrefutable evidence that Russia was behind the attack, and that we want to see the two individuals responsible brought to justice.

 

While the UK remains open to a different relationship, for that to happen the Russian government must choose a different path.

 

Finally in my discussion with UN Secretary General Guterres, we spoke about the importance of the multilateral system and the UK’s strong support for it. I also raised concerns about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the need to ensure a comprehensive response, as well as emphasising the critical nature of continued humanitarian assistance in Yemen. 

 

I am proud that the UK continues to play its part in trying to provide relief in countries such as Yemen, and that we remain committed to spending 0.7 per cent of our Gross National Income on development assistance. That commitment puts us at the forefront of addressing global challenges. So I am pleased at this summit we announced our pledge of £1.4 billion for the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and help save lives.

 

 

EU COUNCIL

 

 

Mr Speaker, turning to the European Council, the focus of these discussions were on what are known as the EU’s “Top Jobs” – the appointments at the head of the EU’s institutions and the EU’s High Representative.

 

As I have said before, this is primarily a matter for the remaining 27 EU member states. But while we remain a member of the EU I also said we would engage constructively - which we did throughout. 

 

After long and difficult discussions over the last few days, the council voted for a package of candidates, with an important balance of gender, reflecting the diversity of the European Union.

 

The council formally elected Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel as President of the European Council.

The council also nominated: German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen as candidate for President of the European Commission; Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrell Fontelles as candidate for High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; and the French Managing Director of the IMF Christine Lagarde as candidate for President of the European Central Bank.

 

The Commission President will now be voted on by the European Parliament in the coming weeks. After being approved by the Commission President, the high representative will then be voted on as part of the college of Commissioners by the European Parliament, before the college is appointed by the European Council. After consultations with the European Parliament and ECB Governing Council, the European Council will appoint the President of the ECB.

 

The European Parliament will also vote on its President today. 

 

Mr Speaker, subject to the approval of the European Parliament, this will be the first time that a woman will be made President of the European Commission, and I would like to congratulate Ursula von der Leyen on her nomination. This was a package supported by the UK, and it is in our national interest to have constructive relationships with those who are appointed. Once we leave the European Union we will need to agree the details of our future relationship. We will continue to share many of the same challenges as our closest neighbours. And we will need to work with them on a variety of issues that are in our joint interests.

 

But that will now be a matter for my successor to take forward.

 

And I commend this statement to the House.