David Miliband

Visiting Moscow

I will be visiting Moscow on Sunday and Monday at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.   This is the first full bilateral visit to Russia by a British Foreign Secretary for five years and forms part of a continuing political dialogue with Moscow - shortly after my visit Peter Mandelson will be hosting Deputy Prime Minister Kudrin in London for the bilateral Steering Committee on Trade and Investment.

We don't always see eye to eye with Russia, but we share the same global challenges and it is important that we work on them together.  And as we are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and members of the G8 and G20, there is a wide range of questions where, by working together, we really can make a difference.  

The wealth of people-to-people contacts and the dynamic business links which have grown between Britain and Russia over the last twenty years make political engagement all the more important. While I am in Moscow  I will be meeting representatives of  Russian civil society  -  I look forward to hearing what they have to  tell  me about the issues which matter to them. 

Posted at 16:13 30 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

More than a Facelift

You might have noticed that the look of the Foreign Office website has changed. Actually, it’s more than just a facelift. There is now more focus on top global issues, with information offered in one and place in different, more engaging ways. There is also easier access to key Foreign Office services and information.

This is important because it reflects our commitment to clearly inform and genuinely engage on foreign policy, and to use the web to make a difference on important global issues.

Look out for changes in the design of this blog soon…

Posted at 13:07 30 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

Climate Finance

There are now less than 40 days to go before Copenhagen. The four degree map my brother Ed and I launched last week underlines the urgent need for a deal to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees.

So far, the EU has done its bit, showing commendable leadership in driving progress towards such a deal.  The 20-20-20 deal, the conditional offer to shift to 30% emissions reduction targets, and diplomatic initiatives to encourage global action, have all contributed. And we have shown -reflecting the argument that I made in my speech on Europe at IISS on Monday - that by working through the EU, Britain can have a bigger impact than acting alone. The UK can act to address its own emissions, but as part of the EU, we can ensure others reduce theirs too.  Britain’s percentage of global carbon emissions is 2%; the EU’s is 14%.

But the deal we need is by no means guaranteed. Today, the Prime Minister and I are meeting European leaders at the October European Council to iron out the EU’s position.  Climate finance - the framework and funding to encourage developing countries to join a global deal - will be central to discussions.  

An ambitious climate finance offer from the EU is what we need to reach a two degree deal, and the October European Council is the opportunity for the EU to demonstrate the role it can play as a global actor.

Now, more than ever, the EU needs to come together.

Posted at 09:56 30 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Climate Change – Believe the Science

An article in the Huffington Post reports on a recent poll – apparently only 57% of Americans think there is solid evidence that the world is getting warmer – down 20% from three years ago.

This is alarming. We need to do more to make sure people – and governments – know the science behind climate change. Hence the map we commissioned from the Hadley Centre, launched at the Science Museum last week.

The article argues that some of this drop is explained by people’s preoccupation with economic issues. This could well be true. But it is a false dichotomy. If we don’t solve the problems of climate change today; the depression of tomorrow – once the full economic effects kick in – would eclipse the current recession.

Lord Stern has said that the economic effects of climate change could cost us more than two world wars and the great depression combined. We must heed such warnings, we must listen to the science, and we must ensure that the Copenhagen Summit heralds an ambitious global deal to limit temperature rises to two degrees.

Posted at 14:26 29 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

Launch of the Hajj Delegation

On Tuesday I launched the British Hajj Delegation, together with the Saudi Ambassador, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, Lord Patel of Blackburn and Dr Syed Mohiud-din. This is the 10th year that Lord Patel has led the delegation. I am grateful to him, and to the doctors, who give their time and expertise to British Pilgrims at the Hajj. 

The Hajj delegation supplements our consular efforts in Saudi Arabia. The number of cases inevitably increase significantly during the Hajj, when there are up to 20,000 - 25,000 additional British Nationals in Saudi Arabia. The Delegation does a grand job in handling these additional cases and, when necessary, providing medical assistance. H1N1 is a concern this year but, as with previous years, the Saudis are providing free medical care for anyone that needs it.   

The Hajj Delegation is an important commitment from the Government to the thousands of British Muslims that attend the Hajj every year. It underlines the UK's commitment to all its communities, faiths, nations, beliefs or viewpoints. And it's a great advertisement for British Islam.

Posted at 12:56 29 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Radovan Karadzic

Today marks the opening of Radovan Karadzic's trial in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. It is a day that will be welcomed by many across the world. Karadzic is accused of some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, including the genocide of over 7,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in July 1995.

His arrest and transfer to The Hague after so many years on the run signalled that Serbia's Government was intent on closing a chapter from the past.

The trial itself will now act as an important moment for truth and reconciliation, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also across the region as a whole. His trial also sends out a powerful global message - the international courts are here to stay, and now there is no escape from international justice.

Posted at 12:18 26 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[11]

Blog Action Day - Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day  and across the world bloggers are coming together to blog on one topic; climate change. There is no topic more pressing or more worthy, and both government and individuals need to be mobilised in support of an ambitious and equitable deal in Copenhagen. Bloggers who individually have quiet voices can collectively speak volumes.

Last year 12,000 bloggers took part. This year I hope there will be even more. Including our Foreign Office climate change bloggers, now gathered in one place on our new blog platform 'Climate Conversations' . But climate change has an impact far beyond those traditionally thought of as environmental. So bloggers right across our network are are also writing on this topic - John Duncan, Ambassador for Multilateral Arms Control & Disarmament, on nuclear issues and climate change; David Concar, Climate Change Counsellor Beijing, on China’s climate change concerns. The Prime Minister too has produced a one off blog for the cause, available to read on Number 10’s website

But it’s not just bloggers. Everyone can do their bit by backing the bid for an ambitious, effective and fair deal in Copenhagen. Go to the 'Act on Copenhagen' website  to find out more.

The UK is doing its bit– the first country to set legally binding targets to cut its carbon footprint and the first to set carbon budgets to limit emissions. But we, and the rest of the world, have a massive challenge in front of us. The window of action to avoid catastrophic climate change is closing and agreement at Copenhagen is by no means certain.

All countries must come together to face the shared threat. There will have to be compromise, but there cannot be compromise on the ambition – to keep global temperature rises below 2 degrees, we need nothing less than a 50% reduction in global emissions by 2050. I hope the voices raised today will help us near our goal.

Posted at 11:55 15 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[21]

Belarus – Football and Politics

Tonight England's football team plays its second match in a week against Eastern European opposition. Both teams represent large countries sandwiched between Russia to the east and European Union member states to the west. But Belarus and Ukraine have taken very different paths since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Whereas – albeit with some wobbles – Ukraine has chosen to commit to a path of democracy and economic and social reform; Belarus has not yet signed up to what we would recognise as European values.

More progress on political reforms and economic liberalisation is needed. But there are some positive signs: last year, the Belarusian authorities released the last three remaining political prisoners, an important signal that Belarus wanted to renew its relationship with the EU.  The EU is keen to help Belarus make economic and political changes: this spring, Belarus joined the EU’s Eastern Partnership, which gives it the opportunity to take part in projects on energy security, border security and social and economic development, and to improve its relationships with its neighbours.

Belarus is a country that has suffered a lot in the past – most graphically after Chernobyl – and whose people deserve the hope of a more prosperous, democratic future. The EU is a key partner in promoting reform – offering Belarus not an alternative to ties with other neighbours but a wider support network.

Posted at 16:59 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Colombia

Chris Bryant was in Colombia last week and had an important meeting with President Uribe.  Colombia produces the bulk of the cocaine that comes to the UK; it has the second highest number of internally-displaced people of any country in the world (after Sudan); and one of the highest number of Trade Unionists murdered. Its human rights record is a source of real concern.

Chris was able to push all these issues with the Colombian government.  At the end, he agreed a joint statement with the Colombian Foreign Minister covering human rights.  It quoted President Uribe as saying that "defence of human rights is a necessary and legitimate act of a democracy, and a country like Colombia is proud to be completely open to international scrutiny in this regard.”

This statement is an important benchmark. But there is also a critical need for these values to be pursued and upheld by all parts of Colombian society, and most importantly by government.

Posted at 16:39 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

UAE Nuclear

Earlier this month the UAE (United Arab Emirates) banned domestic enrichment of uranium and brought in strict regulations preventing the theft of nuclear material. It is the first country in the world to do this. The Law helps to create confidence within the international community and the UAE's neighbours that its intentions are entirely peaceful. 

The UAE is setting a model for other countries (in the Middle East and beyond) to follow in their legitimate pursuit of peaceful nuclear energy. This model is based on transparency, adoption of international agreements, and co-operation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). The UK supports the rights of all states to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. To this end, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE in 2008 and a further civil nuclear agreement with Jordan earlier this year.

It is worth noting that the actions of the UAE stand in stark contrast to those of Iran, whose dealings with both the IAEA and the international community have often been far less than transparent. I believe that the UAE's example of confidence building is one that states such as Iran would do well to emulate.

Posted at 13:54 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

War Child

On 19 October War Child, the international children’s charity, release a single, “I Got Soul”. The idea is to raise the issue of child soldiers, the effects of war, and the work War Child does with children in Iraq, Afghanistan, DRC and Uganda. The song is based on the memorable Killers line “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier” and all the artists recording it are big names in the UK’s urban scene. I must confess Grime doesn’t get a lot of play in the Miliband household, but I'm sure this will be a big hit and will raise awareness about these conflicts.

Posted at 10:21 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

Don't Try To Arrest The Sea

Its worth reading the article of the above name at smallwarsjournal.com by a serving Pakistan army major currently in the US on study leave. It's about Afghanistan and it's not a panacea - but it's got some useful corrective points to a lot of the debate.

Most important is that alongside military and civil effect, the two sides of the comprehensive approach, he stresses localisation of implementation. This was a theme of the PM's statement to parliament in December 2007 . And the idea of building up islands of protection, growth and service provision is evidenced in important districts of Helmand.

Posted at 12:23 13 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

Russian Milibands

The phone in by brother Ed definitely goes down as novel, with an 87 year old Russian relative emerging via the Ekho Moskvy radio station. The story is heart warming, and goes back it seems to my great great grandfather.

Posted at 11:56 10 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

Bravo Poland

Polish President Kaczyński has signed the Lisbon Treaty today.  That means 26 of 27 European states will have ratified the Treaty.  That leaves the final ratification in the Czech Republic, where the Czech Parliament has completed its work.
 
I think it was striking that in the aftermath of the Irish vote the media should have revisited some of the basic arguments for the Treaty for Britain - more voting weight, rationalisation of foreign policy organisation and presence, an end to institutional tinkering.  It’s a good treaty for a stronger Britain in a stronger Europe.

Posted at 11:47 10 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

Blog Action Day

15 October is Blog Action Day related to climate change and Copenhagen in particular.   There isn’t really a better topic for blogging - a deal needs civilian power not just government power. 

I've just done an interview for a Brazilian paper El Globo arguing that we keep the faith in the drive for an ambitious, fair and effective global deal.  That remains my position.

Posted at 11:45 10 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]