Latest news with #UK-hosted
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
UK Launches 'Green Growth' Campaign in Egypt to Boost Climate Cooperation
By Ahmad El-Assasy The British Embassy in Cairo has officially launched the 'Green Growth' campaign, a high-impact initiative aimed at accelerating climate cooperation and unlocking sustainable economic potential between the United Kingdom and Egypt. The campaign was inaugurated in the presence of Egypt's Minister of Investment, Engineer Hassan El-Khatib, alongside senior officials from the Financial Regulatory Authority, the General Authority for Investment, the Federation of Egyptian Industries, and the Ministries of Finance and International Cooperation. Running through to COP30 in November 2025, the campaign sets out three core objectives: Reinforcing Egypt's leadership on global climate action Opening new trade and investment partnerships with UK businesses Deepening cooperation on Egypt's green transition The UK seeks to support Egypt's pivotal role in the global shift towards green energy. Through joint expertise, the partnership aims to help achieve both Egypt's national climate goals and broader international targets. This collaboration has already seen Egypt engaged in major UK-hosted summits, including the IEA's Future of Energy Security forum, and will intensify in the lead-up to COP30. The UK also plans to support Egypt's green policy frameworks by sharing its world-leading experience in regulatory reforms, carbon markets, network management, and sectoral capacity building. Technical cooperation will further extend to food security and water resilience, enabling Egypt to better adapt to the consequences of climate change. On the trade and investment front, both countries have set an ambitious goal of securing $500 million in green investments over the next six months. The UK government and private sector have already invested more than $1 billion in Egypt's renewable energy sector, recognizing the country's vast potential. As part of this green investment drive, the British International Investment (BII)—the UK's development finance institution—announced a total of $305 million in new support for renewable energy projects in Egypt. On June 16, BII confirmed its participation in building Africa's largest onshore wind farm, a 1.1 GW project in Egypt's Suez region. The institution will contribute nearly $190 million to the project, which is backed by a global alliance of development lenders. The wind farm is expected to significantly reduce Egypt's reliance on natural gas, aligning with its green energy transition. Just a day earlier, BII also pledged $115 million as part of a $479 million funding package for Obelisk Solar Power, aimed at developing Egypt's first utility-scale solar + battery storage plant. Located in Nag Hammadi, the project will deliver 1.1 GW of photovoltaic energy with 200 MWh of storage capacity and is set to begin operations in 2026. British Ambassador to Egypt Gareth Bayley stated: 'The Green Growth campaign reflects our shared ambition to lead on climate action, drive sustainable investment, and build a greener, more resilient future. It not only strengthens UK-Egypt climate goals but also creates new opportunities for innovation, cooperation, and prosperity.' Sherine Shahdy, BII's Egypt Country Director, added: 'Investments in the Obelisk and Suez projects are pivotal steps toward clean energy in Egypt. These projects will not only generate power but stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and deliver reliable energy for communities. BII is proud to be leading this transformational shift.' The campaign builds on the strong climate ties established during COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, which marked a turning point in UK-Egypt climate diplomacy. Since then, the UK has committed over $250 million to Egypt across technical and financial assistance programs, infrastructure development, and multilateral advocacy. The Green Growth campaign marks a new chapter in this partnership—translating shared ambition into measurable progress. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Arab News
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Sudan FM expresses disapproval at exclusion from UK conference for resolving country's civil war
LONDON: Sudan's Foreign Minister Ali Youssef has expressed his disapproval, via a letter to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, at his exclusion from a UK-hosted conference aimed at resolving the African country's prolonged civil war. The Rapid Support Forces, who are locked in a deadly struggle with the Sudanese Armed Forces, have also been excluded from the conference. Instead, the UK, along with conference co-hosts Germany and France, is bringing together foreign ministers from nearly 20 countries, and organizations, in an attempt to establish a group that can drive the warring factions in Sudan closer towards peace. The conference at Lancaster House in London on April 15 comes on the second anniversary of the start of a civil war that has led to the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, but has been persistently left at the bottom of the global list of diplomatic priorities. Half of Sudan's population are judged to be desperately short of food, with 11 million people internally displaced. The initiative holds risks for Lammy, since it may require him to place pressure on some of the UK's Middle Eastern allies to make good on their promises to no longer arm the warring parties. A harsh spotlight is also very likely to fall in London on the impact of USAID cuts on the provision of humanitarian aid in Sudan as well as the withdrawal of funding by the US from academic groups that have been monitoring war crimes and the build-up of famine. NGOs such as Human Rights Watch are also urging the ministerial conference to emphasize the importance of civilian protection, independent of a ceasefire. At an event previewing the conference, Kate Ferguson, the co-director of the NGO Protection Approaches, said: 'The conference comes at a critical moment for civilians in Sudan as areas of control under various armed forces rapidly evolve and civilians face an increasing spectrum of varied attack.' She added: 'A new vehicle is needed to take forward civilian protection. This is a moment here to create something new that is desperately needed — whether that is a coalition of conscience or a contact group.' Ferguson added that 'citizens were facing an unimaginable triple threat of armed conflict, identity-based atrocity crimes and humanitarian catastrophe.'
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland 'already started' preparing to host Women's World Cup
Women's Nations League A: Scotland v GermanyVenue: Tannadice Park, Dundee Date: Friday, 4 April Kick-off: 19:35 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC Alba & iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app Scotland have "already started" preparing for an "inspirational" UK-hosted Women's World Cup in 2035, according to interim head coach Mick president Gianni Infantino revealed on Thursday that a joint expression of interest in hosting the tournament from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales was the only valid one received by the world governing body's deadline is not only preparing his team for Friday's Nations League visit by Germany but is closely involved with Scottish FA policy as head of elite women's about "the exciting news" and the prospect of Scotland hosting World Cup games in 10 years' time, he said: "We're two and a half years into that cycle. "The association's decision to have the foresight to create the role that I'm the custodian for just now, the head of elite game, is that we've already started that preparation."It's up to us to qualify for the tournament as well, if it's not automatic, but it's an inspiration to us all, myself, the full pathway, the players in the dressing room just now."Scotland qualified for their first World Cup finals in 2019 but missed out in 2023, while they have not reached a European Championship finals since 2017. McArdle says the response to England hosting the Euros in 2022 was felt throughout that country and he hopes Scotland can capitalise on a similar scale."It's a massive inspiration that we could be hosting but also get ourselves to a World Cup now as well," McArdle said."We've seen how massive the hosting of Euros in England was to the English game's development overnight and it's certainly something that would have a massive impact across the game."Meanwhile, McArdle repeated his belief that he is ready to take the head coach on a permanent basis if it is offered at the end of "currently ongoing" recruitment processHaving lost their opening Group A ties to the Netherlands and Austria, Scotland face a double header with the top seeds and group leaders, travelling to Wolfsburg for the return tie on says the campaign "gives us a benchmark" to gauge their progress and "learn" as they look "towards consistently qualifying for competitions".Scotland have lost their three previous meetings with Germany without scoring, the latest of those being a 3-0 friendly defeat in 2013. Scotland squad Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit)Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (West Ham United)Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Rangers), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Sam Kerr (Liverpool, on loan from Bayern Munich), Kirsty MacLean (Rangers), Amy Rodgers (Bristol City), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)Forwards: Eilidh Adams (Hibernian), Lauren Davidson (Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur), Emma Watson (Everton, on loan from Manchester United)
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Work checks can cut illegal migration, says Cooper
The home secretary has said plans for new checks on unauthorised working will help cut levels of illegal migration. Yvette Cooper has announced plans to expand the range of companies that can be fined for not carrying out right-to-work checks on casual workers. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said criminal gangs were using the prospect of illegal work to lure people into trying to enter the country. It comes ahead of a UK-hosted summit on Monday, to be attended by about 40 nations, on tackling organised immigration crime. Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart said his party would study the proposals, but Labour needed to do more to deter people from coming to the UK. Illegal workers held in raids on nail bars and takeaways Car washes and beauty sector to be targeted over immigration Companies have a legal responsibility to verify that people they employ directly have the right to work in the UK. For agency workers, the responsibility lies with the agency to conduct the relevant checks. There are sanctions including fines of up to £60,000 per unauthorised worker in cases where foreign workers are found to be working illegally. Under plans announced on Sunday, the requirement to conduct a test would be extended to self-employed contractors carrying out work on behalf of a company. Currently, firms are responsible for conducting checks on such workers only if they have sponsored the visa allowing them to work in the UK. Cooper told the BBC that checks were currently "not reaching" the so-called gig economy, where many workers are employed in temporary or casual roles. "Criminal gangs promise people illegal work just as they then take their money for illegal crossings as well," she added. Asked how many illegal workers would be stopped under the new measures, she conceded it was "difficult" to provide a precise figure. "What we need is for employers themselves to take action that prevents the illegal working in the first place," she added. "Some of this is about us increasing enforcement, but some of this is the prevention action that we need employers to take." The Home Office said the change would be made possible by amending the government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is making its way through Parliament. The department said a "full consultation" with businesses on implementing the checks would then follow, naming construction, food delivery, beauty salons, and couriers among sectors likely to be affected by the new rules. Elsewhere in her interview, Cooper confirmed the government is reviewing how international human rights law is applied to migration cases, although she did not provide details. The government has faced pressure from the Conservatives, who have called for a law change to stop those denied the right to stay in the UK challenging their deportation on human rights grounds. Shadow cabinet office minister Burghart accused Labour ministers of looking at the "wrong end of the problem" when it came to illegal working. He said Labour's decision to scrap the Tories' Rwanda deportation scheme shortly after entering office meant there would be no "deterrent" to stop people trying to enter the UK without permission. The Conservatives announced the plan in 2022, but failed to bring the scheme into effect before they were voted out of office at last year's general election.
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Work checks can cut illegal migration, pledges Cooper
The home secretary has said plans for new checks on unauthorised working will help cut levels of illegal Cooper has announced plans to expand the range of companies that can be fined for not carrying out right-to-work checks on casual on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said criminal gangs were using the prospect of illegal work to lure people into trying to enter the comes ahead of a UK-hosted summit on Monday, to be attended by about 40 nations, on tackling organised immigration shadow minister Alex Burghart said his party would study the proposals, but Labour needed to do more to deter people from coming to the UK. Companies have a legal responsibility to verify that people they employ directly have the right to work in the UK. For agency workers, the responsibility lies with the agency to conduct the relevant are sanctions including fines of up to £60,000 per unauthorised worker in cases where foreign workers are found to be working plans announced on Sunday, the requirement to conduct a test would be extended to self-employed contractors carrying out work on behalf of a firms are responsible for conducting checks on such workers only if they have sponsored the visa allowing them to work in the told the BBC that checks were currently "not reaching" the so-called gig economy, where many workers are employed in temporary or casual roles."Criminal gangs promise people illegal work just as they then take their money for illegal crossings as well," she how many illegal workers would be stopped under the new measures, she conceded it was "difficult" to provide a precise figure."What we need is for employers themselves to take action that prevents the illegal working in the first place," she added."Some of this is about us increasing enforcement, but some of this is the prevention action that we need employers to take." 'Wrong end' The Home Office said the change would be made possible by amending the government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is making its way through department said a "full consultation" with businesses on implementing the checks would then follow, naming construction, food delivery, beauty salons, and couriers among sectors likely to be affected by the new in her interview, Cooper confirmed the government is reviewing how international human rights law is applied to migration cases, although she did not provide government has faced pressure from the Conservatives, who have called for a law change to stop those denied the right to stay in the UK challenging their deportation on human rights cabinet office minister Burghart accused Labour ministers of looking at the "wrong end of the problem" when it came to illegal said Labour's decision to scrap the Tories' Rwanda deportation scheme shortly after entering office meant there would be no "deterrent" to stop people trying to enter the UK without Conservatives announced the plan in 2022, but failed to bring the scheme into effect before they were voted out of office at last year's general election.
