Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
We welcome work being done to increase in-country collaboration, and believe that in-country leadership of...
Recommendation
We welcome work being done to increase in-country collaboration, and believe that in-country leadership of projects should be enhanced, not diminished. The new Department has the opportunity to build on examples of excellent in-country work completed by both the FCO and DFID, and to build on existing cooperation between the two Departments. While the structure of the new Department is not clear, it is important that it continues to show strong in-country leadership on both diplomatic and development projects, and that this merger is taken as an opportunity for greater cooperation between these areas, rather than greater competition. We recommend that the FCDO’s ODA programming continue to be led by in-country UK staff, who have strong local knowledge and networks. (Paragraph 26) Spending and Transparency
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As the Prime Minister noted in his statement to the House of 16 June 2020, the creation of the FCDO empowers The Foreign Secretary to deliver a single, unified UK strategy for each country overseen by the National Security Council. Those strategies will be implemented on the ground by the relevant UK Ambassador, who will lead all of the Government’s work in the host country. This will align British efforts overseas, including our Trade Commissioners, who will come under the authority of the UK Ambassador, bringing further coherence to our international presence. Our cadre of locally appointed staff also play a vital role in our understanding of the local context. Local presence, knowledge and leadership is critical to our programmes and contributes to the success of our global and regional programmes. FCDO will continue to embed country and regional expertise in all programming. Bringing staff in country even closer together in the new department will enhance this existing strength.