Written questions by McCarthy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there will be ministerial attendance at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in August.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 112762, what process she has made since 3 March on steps to help secure the release of Jimmy Lai.

The UK continues to raise Jimmy Lai's case with the Chinese Government at every opportunity, alongside a number of international partners, calling both for his release, and for the protection of his health and wellbeing while he remains in detention. I will keep Hon Members updated on progress resulting from these efforts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will include a sub-commitment to nature and forests in the next round of international climate finance, ICF4.

Nature-based solutions, including forests, are among the most impactful and cost-effective climate solutions. Nature regulates our climate and is vital to climate resilience, both acting as a carbon source and sink, and helping us to adapt to the impact of climate change and boost our resilience to climate shocks. This is why a focus on nature is a core priority for our climate finance spend.Our ICF4 commitment falls in the next Spending Review period. We are working through detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used from 2026/27 to 2028/29 and will set out those allocations in the near future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the decision by Israel to recognise Somaliland and the implications for the UK's own policy on recognition.

It is the UK's long-standing position that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide through a consultative process and dialogue, in line with the principles of the UN charter.