Jun122017

Speech: “Fifteen years of violence there have shown that there can be no military solution to the conflict.”

HM Government

Thank you Mr President.

I would like to thank the Prosecutor for her 25th report on the situation in Darfur, the continued commitment of the Prosecutor and her Office to this investigation, and for her statement today.

At the outset, let me express the United Kingdom’s full support for the International Criminal Court and for its vital work challenging impunity and bringing to account those responsible for the most serious crimes of international concern.

We appreciate the important role you play, often amid difficult conditions on the ground.

This is clearly the case in Darfur. Fifteen years of violence there have shown that there can be no military solution to the conflict. A lasting peace can only be realised with the agreement of a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

The UK had welcomed the reduction in military confrontation between the Government of Sudan and the Darfur armed movements and the announcements of unilateral cessations of hostilities by the Government, the Sudan Liberation Army -Minni Minawi and Justice Equality Movement in recent months. We were hopeful that this signalled the parties’ willingness to engage genuinely in the peace process. We are therefore deeply concerned by reports of renewed clashes between the Government and SLA-MM in recent weeks and the detrimental impact this ongoing risk of violence has for the safety of civilians and the overall stability of Darfur.

We also continue to be extremely concerned at the use of sexual violence in the conflict, although note the recent reduction in instances.

We urge all parties to show restraint, to abide by the unilateral cessations of hostilities and to focus their efforts on the peace process, under the auspices of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.

Mr President,

On a more positive note, the UK welcomes the improvements in access for UNAMID and humanitarian actors in Darfur, particularly to Jebel Marra and urges the Government of Sudan to strive for unfettered access throughout Darfur. This will enable the Prosecutor to carry out her investigation and UNAMID to carry out its mandate to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance. Like the Prosecutor, we remain concerned by reports of continued attacks against internally displaced persons and that some access restrictions remain in place.

In light of the fragile security situation in Darfur, the UK urges that any changes to UNAMID during the upcoming mandate renewal are done in a manner that is gradual, flexible and retains the Mission’s ability to continue to protect civilians.

Mr President,

Over the course of twenty-five reports, the Prosecutor has consistently made it clear that the Court needs the cooperation of States and the support of this Council in order to move forward on this situation. We all need to look carefully at what more we can do to ensure that the Court receives the support that it deserves. The United Kingdom will continue to call on the Government of Sudan to meet its obligations under resolution 1593, to cooperate fully with the Court, to execute outstanding arrest warrants and to fulfil its international obligations.

The United Kingdom is frustrated that fugitives of the Court, including President Al-Bashir and Mr Hussein, continue to travel unhindered. We appreciate that States may sometimes have conflicting commitments to other regional and international organisations, but we join the Prosecutor in urging those States to consult with the Court. For our part, we will continue to raise our concerns with the relevant governments with the ultimate goal of achieving justice for the thousands of victims in Darfur. We renew our call on all States Parties to cooperate with the ICC and to abide by their Rome Statute obligations.

Mr President,

We welcome the renewed vigour with which the Office of the Prosecutor is approaching this investigation. The Office should be commended for the progress it has made on the investigation, despite the fragile security situation, the access restrictions, the continued clashes and lack of cooperation.

Finally, the United Kingdom would like to offer its appreciation of the effort that the Prosecutor’s Office has put into making the most effective and efficient use of the resources it has available, and takes this opportunity to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting the Court, as both a State Party to the Rome Statute and as a member of this Council.

Thank you Mr President.

Jun122017

Supersonic launch for REID Lifting’s new facility in Chepstow

Welsh Government

The Chepstow based company – which specialises in manufacturing a range of lightweight portable lifting equipment – designed and made a bespoke gantry lifting system for the vehicle to enable the BLOODHOUND team to work on all areas of the supersonic car.

REID Lifting has close links with the project with two of their engineers volunteering as BLOODHOUND STEM ambassadors visiting local schools to talk about the project and inspire the next generation about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Pupils from Wyedean School and Thornwell Primary will be given a special preview of the supersonic car and a tour of the new factory ahead of the an International Sales Conference for REID’s overseas customers and distributors on Thursday 15 June and the official opening on Friday June 16.

The Welsh Government is providing £680,000 business finance towards the company’s new 45,000 sq ft facility on Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate. The investment and expansion has already created 23 high quality jobs, bringing the headcount to 44.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: 

“I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting this important expansion project which has already created a significant number of new jobs locally. I also applaud their work with local schools encouraging the take up of STEM subjects and wish the company every success in the future.”

Managing Director Nick Battersby said: 

“The investment in the facilities and the company’s future is already paying dividends with significantly increased capacity, shorter lead times and a highly motivated workforce. We are very proud to be able to show off our premises to our international partners, suppliers and local community.”

It has seen a 50% growth in sales/turnover in the last few years with forecast growth of 25% in the coming year.

Jun122017

Ruth meets Prime Minister at Downing Street

Scottish Conservatives

12 Jun 2017

DSC_1571

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson met Prime Minister Theresa May in London today.

They discussed a range of issues at Downing Street, including priorities for Scotland and the UK as the Brexit process continues.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:

“I had a useful and positive discussion with the Prime Minister this afternoon.

“We talked at length about Brexit and agreed it’s vital to get on with negotiations so we can deliver certainty for firms across the UK.

“I made it clear that as we leave the European Union we must leave the Common Fisheries Policy and ensure a good deal for our fishing communities.

“The Prime Minister is focused on getting the right deal with Brexit and I give her my full support.

“The key issue is to ensure we put our country’s economic future first and foremost in our minds as we go ahead with Brexit.

“It is clear to me that this Conservative government at Westminster is determined to deliver that.”

Jun122017

China aims to build world’s 3rd ocean drilling research vessel

East Asia

China aims to build the world’s third ocean drilling research vessel and become a key leader in international deep-sea drilling scientific efforts by 2028, a senior government consultant said Monday.

Wang Pinxian, a marine geologist from Tongji University and also with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made the remarks at a press event to announce the successful conclusion of a China-led international drilling mission to find out how the South China Sea was formed some tens of millions of years ago.

The four-month mission was conducted on board the American vessel JOIDES Resolution as part of the 367th and 368th expeditions of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), an international collaboration on deep-sea geological scientific research that began in 1968.

China joined the IODP in 1998 and participated in three drilling missions focused in the South China Sea in 1999, 2014 and 2017. The latest mission was proposed, designed and led by Chinese scientists. Over 60 researchers from more than ten countries were involved.

Wang, who serves as a consultant for China’s IODP involvement, said the mission marked the first step in a three-part strategy for China to engage in international ocean drilling activities.

He said China aims to drill seabeds in other oceans and set up the world’s fourth seabed rock database and a lab before attempting to build an ocean drilling vessel.

The two ships used by the IODP are JOIDES Resolution and Japan’s Chikyu.

JOIDES Resolution docked in Shanghai Sunday, the first-ever visit of an international ocean drilling vessel to a Chinese port.

Tongji University marine geologist Jian Zhimin, a co-lead of the IODP mission, said at Monday’s press briefing that during the expedition they dug 17 holes at seven sites in the South China Sea. The combined drilling depth exceeded 7,669 meters, and samples including sedimentary and volcanic rocks were collected.

The study of the rocks indicates the South China Sea was formed differently than the Atlantic, scientists have found.

Jian said the newly discovered formation of the South China Sea was so unique that they might need to rewrite the textbooks on continental shelf break-up and ocean formation.

Further research is required.

Jun122017

China to enhance grassroots community governance

East Asia

A firefighting publicity activity is held in a community in Beijing. [Photo/China.org.cn]

China will set up a community governance system led by grassroots Communist Party of China (CPC) organizations by 2020, according to a guideline released by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council Monday.

Local governments will play a guiding role in the community governance system which also feature public participation.

Governance capacity in both urban and rural communities will improve significantly by that time, as public services, management and security will be effectively ensured, the guideline said.

Within another five to ten years, a more mature and comprehensive community governance system will offer strong support for the CPC at a grassroots level, while consolidating local governments, the guideline noted.

Issues such as the basic role of autonomous organizations, the participation of social groups and the functions of communities are also included in the guideline.

According to the guideline, on major issues relating to community public interests as well as those that matter to the residents’ immediate interests, the community residents’ role in the decision making and dispute resolution processes should be enhanced.

Also, community services that are closely related to the residents’ interests, such as employment, social security, health, education, housing, public security as well as legal and arbitration services, should be made more widely available, the guideline said.

The guideline called for increased efforts to resolve disputes within communities. Party congress delegates, legislators, political advisors and CPC members and officials should maintain contact with communities and their residents via proper channels, it said.

It urged more support for groups in need, such as the poor, children in difficulty, mentally-challenged people, left-behind children, senior citizens as well as people who have been convicted of crimes or released from prison.

The guideline also requires infrastructure improvements and better environmental management in communities.

To enhance community governance, the guideline pledged more financial investment in this regard. It also encouraged the public to contribute via channels such as charity donations and community foundation endowments.