Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Co-penholding strengthens UK soft power and builds alliances through shared UNSC expertise.
Conclusion
Sharing the pen allows for Elected Members to the United Nations Security Council to actively partake in the penholder process and to learn from the UK’s expertise as a convening actor in diplomacy and as a leader in the global resolution of conflict. Furthering such relationships would strengthen the UK’s soft power and may lead to the formation of new alliances. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72)
Government Response Summary
The government's response explains its ongoing commitment and actions as a UN Security Council penholder to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law, stating its national interest aligns with these efforts. It does not directly address the benefits of co-penholding or how it might strengthen UK soft power and alliances.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
48. While HMG recognises that national interest does need to be considered through the perspective of a penholder, HMG does represent its national interest in seeking progress on protecting civilians in armed conflict within UN Security Council products. The UK national interest is neither at odds with supporting Protection of Civilians matters, nor does it preclude the UK pursuing further action to protect civilians in other forums. HMG remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding international humanitarian law (IHL) and protecting civilians in conflict, including through lobbying strongly for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access. 49. As the Committee’s evidence has illustrated, in many conflict-affected countries, humanitarian access is increasingly unsafe, delayed and otherwise restricted, leaving millions of vulnerable people deprived of life- saving protection and assistance. In our own national statements and as a penholder, including on the Protection of Civilians file, the UK consistently presses for the UN Security Council to condemn such restrictions and call upon States and other relevant actors to grant rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access. We call on States to protect civilians and meet their basic needs in line with their obligations under IHL, which serve as a critical tool in setting a universal standard for the protection of people in conflict zones. The UK takes private action to complement our public statements in the UN Security Council via direct lobbying with relevant parties.