Thank you Madam President.

We welcome the High Commissioner’s report.

In response to the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, on 1 February we announced sanctions against four security sector chiefs responsible for serious human rights violations under President Mnangagwa. The Government must respect the rights enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution.

The UK continues to be concerned about the protection of civilians in Cameroon, particularly following the appalling killing of children in Kumba, in October 2020, and a series of violent incidents in January 2021. The violence must end. Urgent and impartial investigations must hold the perpetrators to account. In Uganda, we are concerned about the reported treatment of opposition candidates, their supporters, and the media around the 14 January Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The Government of Uganda must meet its international human rights obligations.

In Nigeria, we welcome the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, following 2020’s EndSARS protests against police brutality. We are monitoring closely the judicial panels of inquiry established to investigate allegations of police brutality and human rights violations. The Nigerian authorities should ensure accountability for those responsible.

In Vietnam, we are concerned about the treatment and imprisonment of journalists and human rights defenders. A free media is essential to a functioning society. We also encourage Vietnam to share the progress it has made towards implementing the recommendations made during its latest Universal Periodic Review.

Recent violence and an increase in targeted attacks on civilians in Afghanistan, including on those who defend human rights and media freedom, are deeply concerning. We call for thorough and transparent investigations into attacks, and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Finally, we refer to our statements on Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Burundi and Venezuela that have been made, or will be made, at other dialogues during this session. Thank you.

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The government has challenged the rail industry today (26 February 2021) to pioneer new ways of working that will halve the time and reduce the cost of delivering critical infrastructure projects, as the country builds back better out of coronavirus (COVID-19), with the launch of the next stage of rail Project SPEED.

In a keynote speech at the Project SPEED conference today, hosted by the Rail Industry Association, Rail Minister Chis Heaton-Harris invited the 1,800-strong virtual audience to get on board with the new approach to become faster, smarter and more efficient in the way that projects are delivered.

Rail Project SPEED (Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) was jointly developed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Network Rail last summer. Infrastructure projects at different stages of development have been reviewed to identify how government funding could go further and work could be carried out faster.

This approach identified 10 key themes to lower costs and speed up the delivery of infrastructure schemes, such as rapidly increasing the use of innovative construction methods and removing complexity from planning processes.

These new and innovative ways of working will be rolled out across all rail upgrades, with the intention of:

• ensuring passengers experience better journeys more quickly
• giving greater value to taxpayers
• transforming the pace and way in which our railways are improved

A project already benefitting from Project SPEED principles is the scheme to reopen the Northumberland line between Ashington and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which closed to passengers in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts.

Northumberland County Council, DfT, Network Rail and AECOM have collectively worked to identify opportunities to bring this into service as quickly as possible. This could take months off the schedule and deliver efficiencies that save millions from the programme.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said:

The whole country has relied on the transport industry over the past year to keep the country moving, supplies delivered and key workers to their jobs saving lives. We are now depending on transport to kickstart our economic recovery.

Rail Project SPEED, forged alongside Network Rail, is a call to arms to cut unnecessary red tape, be bold and purposeful, and empower the railway to be radical in its thinking to halve the time and reduce the cost of delivering infrastructure projects.

By maximising the benefits of every pound that we’re channelling into rail, we will make the case for continued investment. Our intention is to create a more resilient, resourceful and robust railway, equipped for the challenges ahead and delivering better for its passengers, as we build back better from COVID-19.

Andrew Haines, Network Rail’s chief executive, said:

There has never been a more important time to make the case for rail. The pandemic has spurred us to make real progress in removing barriers that have long hindered industry transformation.

But, of course, there is still much more to do, and we will do that faster and more effectively when we work together across the industry.

At today’s conference, the Rail Minister has called on the supply chain to come up with creative ideas where they can help reduce the cost of delivering infrastructure projects, with the best ideas set to be recognised in future industry awards.

The launch of rail Project SPEED builds on the new Acceleration Unit, announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in August 2020, to complete public investment projects more strategically and efficiently.

The DfT’s new unit brings together transport experts, ministers, businesses, local government and other specialists to inspire fresh ideas, getting to grips with opportunities to improve infrastructure delivery, and help transport share best practice and learn from other industries.