Written questions by Anderson.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support energy security through international co-operation following the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps the Government is taking to support developing countries facing sovereign debt crises.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 April in response to Question 122705.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the UK is playing in international efforts to reform global debt frameworks.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 April in response to Question 122705.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to strengthen the NATO alliance.

NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security, and we work continually with our partners throughout the alliance to help protect our safety and prosperity here at home.Together with our European Allies, we are increasing investment in our armed forces and shouldering more of the burden for NATO’s defence, and working closely with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on preparations for a successful Ankara Summit in July.NATO also remains steadfast in our military, political and humanitarian support for Ukraine, as we continue to stand together against Russia’s illegal and brutal war against the Ukrainian people.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to co-ordinate the Africa Approach with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The Government's new Africa Approach was the subject of extensive consultation with African countries, multilateral institutions and others. The priorities set out in the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) reflect the feedback received during that consultation process, a summary of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to align the Africa Approach with multilateral development banks’ capitalisation cycles.

The Government's new Africa Approach was the subject of extensive consultation with African countries, multilateral institutions and others. The priorities set out in the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) reflect the feedback received during that consultation process, a summary of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate she has made of the UK (i) public and (ii) private finance commitments for renewable energy projects in Africa since launch of the Africa Approach.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out the Government's new Approach to Africa.The statement recognised that despite its abundant natural resources, Africa has the lowest levels of modern energy access, and the UK is working with the World Bank and African Development Bank to address that issue. We will provide further updates on implementation of initiatives arising from that work.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to monitor implementation of the Africa Approach across Government departments.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out the Government's new Approach to Africa.The statement recognised that despite its abundant natural resources, Africa has the lowest levels of modern energy access, and the UK is working with the World Bank and African Development Bank to address that issue. We will provide further updates on implementation of initiatives arising from that work.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the number of African countries with strategic economic development priorities that align with the UK’s Africa Approach.

The Government's new Africa Approach was the subject of extensive consultation with African countries, multilateral institutions and others. The priorities set out in the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) reflect the feedback received during that consultation process, a summary of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what mechanisms her Department intends to use to co-ordinate planned UK peacebuilding activity with that of international partners.

The UK has announced plans to host a key peacebuilding conference on 12 March next year, which will bring together international experts and civil society organisations from the Middle East, to map existing peace-building work and support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. All further details such as the staffing of this work, international partners attending the conference, and the evaluation of funding bids, will be set out in the usual way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the staffing resource required to administer new peacebuilding schemes.

The UK has announced plans to host a key peacebuilding conference on 12 March next year, which will bring together international experts and civil society organisations from the Middle East, to map existing peace-building work and support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. All further details such as the staffing of this work, international partners attending the conference, and the evaluation of funding bids, will be set out in the usual way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what mechanisms her Department plans to establish to co-ordinate Illicit Finance Summit outcomes with domestic enforcement agencies.

The Foreign Secretary has announced plans to host a major Illicit Finance Summit on 23-24 June next year, which will bring together governments, civil society organisations, and private sector representatives to build an international coalition to tackle flows of dirty money around the world and strengthen the UK's national security. All further details such as the frameworks for monitoring commitments made at this summit, and coordination with domestic agencies on implementing the outcomes, will be set out in the usual way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department intends to publish a framework for monitoring international commitments made at the Illicit Finance Summit.

The Foreign Secretary has announced plans to host a major Illicit Finance Summit on 23-24 June next year, which will bring together governments, civil society organisations, and private sector representatives to build an international coalition to tackle flows of dirty money around the world and strengthen the UK's national security. All further details such as the frameworks for monitoring commitments made at this summit, and coordination with domestic agencies on implementing the outcomes, will be set out in the usual way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria her Department plans to use to evaluate bids for funding under forthcoming peacebuilding programmes for Israel and Palestine.

The UK has announced plans to host a key peacebuilding conference on 12 March next year, which will bring together international experts and civil society organisations from the Middle East, to map existing peace-building work and support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. All further details such as the staffing of this work, international partners attending the conference, and the evaluation of funding bids, will be set out in the usual way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK Indo-Pacific policy is aligned with domestic trade and investment objectives.

Building strong relationships in the Indo-Pacific is crucial to the UK's long-term economic growth. The global economic centre of gravity is already shifting - by 2050 the Indo-Pacific region will generate over half of global growth.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade, and other colleagues, to ensure that our work in the Indo-Pacific supports the delivery of the UK's Industrial and Trade Strategies, including securing the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and finalising UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. UK Diplomatic Posts in the Indo-Pacific incorporate relevant regional strategic priorities into their country plans, and all Posts provide twice-yearly updates against the objectives set out in those plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Department for Business and Trade on resourcing UK participation in Indo-Pacific market-access programmes.

Building strong relationships in the Indo-Pacific is crucial to the UK's long-term economic growth. The global economic centre of gravity is already shifting - by 2050 the Indo-Pacific region will generate over half of global growth.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade, and other colleagues, to ensure that our work in the Indo-Pacific supports the delivery of the UK's Industrial and Trade Strategies, including securing the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and finalising UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. UK Diplomatic Posts in the Indo-Pacific incorporate relevant regional strategic priorities into their country plans, and all Posts provide twice-yearly updates against the objectives set out in those plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the staffing requirements needed to support expanded UK engagement in Indo-Pacific economic initiatives.

Building strong relationships in the Indo-Pacific is crucial to the UK's long-term economic growth. The global economic centre of gravity is already shifting - by 2050 the Indo-Pacific region will generate over half of global growth.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade, and other colleagues, to ensure that our work in the Indo-Pacific supports the delivery of the UK's Industrial and Trade Strategies, including securing the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and finalising UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. UK Diplomatic Posts in the Indo-Pacific incorporate relevant regional strategic priorities into their country plans, and all Posts provide twice-yearly updates against the objectives set out in those plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what mechanisms she uses to evaluate the performance of UK posts in delivering Indo-Pacific strategic priorities.

Building strong relationships in the Indo-Pacific is crucial to the UK's long-term economic growth. The global economic centre of gravity is already shifting - by 2050 the Indo-Pacific region will generate over half of global growth.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade, and other colleagues, to ensure that our work in the Indo-Pacific supports the delivery of the UK's Industrial and Trade Strategies, including securing the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and finalising UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. UK Diplomatic Posts in the Indo-Pacific incorporate relevant regional strategic priorities into their country plans, and all Posts provide twice-yearly updates against the objectives set out in those plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what methodology the Department uses to assess the financial sustainability of long-term UK-funded capacity-building projects.

The Department assesses the financial sustainability of long-term UK-funded capacity-building projects through its business case process, annual reviews and Project Completion Reviews. During delivery, sustainability is monitored through quarterly progress reports and annual reviews, which include checks on financial performance, risk management and alignment with agreed objectives. Programme Responsible Owners (PROs) apply the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) to ensure ongoing viability, using tools such as risk registers, results frameworks and value-for-money assessments throughout the project lifecycle.UK support to aided Overseas Territories contributes to economic diversification and local capacity-building in line with our commitment to the prosperity of the whole UK family. Various metrics such as visitor numbers and overall GDP growth are used to track outcomes, as appropriate for each territory and in line with programme operating framework requirements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reporting requirements exist for Overseas Territories accessing UK technical assistance programmes.

The Department assesses the financial sustainability of long-term UK-funded capacity-building projects through its business case process, annual reviews and Project Completion Reviews. During delivery, sustainability is monitored through quarterly progress reports and annual reviews, which include checks on financial performance, risk management and alignment with agreed objectives. Programme Responsible Owners (PROs) apply the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) to ensure ongoing viability, using tools such as risk registers, results frameworks and value-for-money assessments throughout the project lifecycle.UK support to aided Overseas Territories contributes to economic diversification and local capacity-building in line with our commitment to the prosperity of the whole UK family. Various metrics such as visitor numbers and overall GDP growth are used to track outcomes, as appropriate for each territory and in line with programme operating framework requirements.