Working together to rebuild Ukraine

Driving dirty money out of the UK: beyond the Economic Crime Plan 2

This conference in May brought together senior decision makers from across the key sectors involved in tackling economic crime and intercepting the flow of the proceeds of kleptocracy and corruption through the UK.

It was the first conference facilitated by our newest Programme Director, Aisling Conboy.

The event identified practical ways of maximising the impact of two new Economic Crime Bills and looked ahead to the next generation of reforms, using predictions and hopes for the year 2033 to drive creative thinking. International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell identified bearing down on dirty money as a key priority in his speech at Chatham House in April, and we are pleased to support this aim.

Development and climate change

Ending Sex for Education, Fees, Grades and First Jobs

We’ve continued this month to drive conversation and action on women’s and girls’ rights in support of the FCDO’s 2023 International Women and Girls Strategy.

This event focused on an overlooked global issue where it’s estimated that as many as 50 percent of young women in higher education in Africa are forced to seek older male ‘sponsors’ to cover their education expenses and even more – up to 90% – report being affected by ‘sexually transmitted grades’ – in which teachers require sexual favours for the grades given.

We heard from survivors about the devastating impact this unacceptable abuse of power has had on their lives and the lives of their families. The social, psychological and financial costs are an untold story, affecting the potential of girls and women throughout their life.

Watch out for a report from the event outlining action needed to bring about change on this silent phenomenon which touches millions of young women worldwide.

A new Global Framework on protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment

The 2018 London Safeguarding Summit brought together a wide range of groups to agree actions to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH) in the aid sector.

The outcomes from the Summit have been invaluable. But five years on there is a clear need for all groups involved in the delivery of humanitarian, development and peacekeeping to agree and work towards a refreshed collective vision on protection from SEAH (PSEAH).

Drawing on the experience and expertise of technical experts across the humanitarian, development and peacekeeping sectors, this Wilton Park dialogue discussed a draft Global Framework on PSEAH and explored promotion, implementation and monitoring as well as the resources needed. The first full draft will be made available for global consultation later in 2023 with a view to a 2024 launch.

Energy Transition Council

In May, we hosted the latest ministerial meeting for the Energy Transition Council (ETC), continuing the highly impactful work of an initiative launched during the UK’s Presidency of the UN climate process.

Leaders from ETC partner countries, Egypt, Indonesia, Laos, Morocco, Nigeria, and the US, amongst others, articulated their efforts and ambitions to transform their power sectors, including through increasing and continuing collaboration with the Council. ETC members – governments and institutions – outlined their offer of finance, expertise and assistance contributing to a step-change in the coordination, availability and effectiveness of finance in the power sector and enabling a faster transition to a low-carbon economy in key markets.

Security

Supporting the effective operationalisation and maintenance of the United Nations Secretary General’s Mechanism

The dramatic way that COVID-19 has underlined the catastrophic impact of biological threats, plus the ongoing possibility of non-state actors accessing biological weapons, and recent events such as Russian misinformation over alleged Ukrainian “non-compliance” with the biological weapons treaty, combine to emphasise that a readily-deployable mechanism for investigating suspected deliberate biological attacks is more important than ever. This week we convened our fourth conference in support of the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism for such an attack.

Five Partners in a Competitive Age: the evolving geostrategic landscape

In 2023 the Five Eyes finds itself at a pivotal moment.

This Wilton Park dialogue in October marks the first 1.5 track dialogue in the Five Eyes’ eight-decade history, bringing together officials and leading intellectuals to reflect on the challenges and opportunities for the Five Eyes given the new geostrategic reality.

Participants will survey the status and views of the Five Eyes partnership. They will examine the prospects for deeper and more coherent strategic collaboration across geostrategic issues impacting the five countries’ interests.

HMG Futures – identifying capabilities now to win future influence

The Integrated Review Refresh describes a competitive future in which many of the challenges are shared, and the lines between outward and domestic are increasingly blurred.

Across states, companies and societies, what will power look like and what capabilities will enable influence?

This year’s annual Wilton Park Futures event will examine power across military strength, diplomacy, science and technology and economics in the future. Looking to possible futures beyond the focus of most strategies and planning, participants will identify the capabilities states, companies and societies most need to exert influence and the actions needed now to preserve existing and build new capabilities.

This year’s annual Wilton Park Futures event will examine power across military strength, diplomacy, science and technology and economics in the future. Looking to possible futures beyond the focus of most strategies and planning, participants will identify the capabilities states, companies and societies most need to exert influence and the actions needed now to preserve existing and build new capabilities.