World Affairs Archives

In Focus

Impact of war and conflict on children

Thursday, 22 August, 2024

This briefing provides a summary of a recent report by the international children’s rights charity Save the Children entitled ‘Stop the war on children: Let them live in peace’, as well as UK government policy in this area. It has been prepared ahead of Baroness Anelay of St Johns’ (Conservative) upcoming debate on 12 September 2024 on the government’s assessment of the impact of international conflict on children and the recommendations proposed in Save the Children’s report.
Research Briefing

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 3 of 2024-25

Tuesday, 23 July, 2024

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill seeks to allow the UK government to treat the CPA and the ICRC in a manner comparable to international organisations of which the UK is a member. This status change would allow the government to confer certain privileges and immunities on the two organisations. A previous version of the bill was introduced in the 2023-24 parliamentary session.
- Research Briefing
- Foreign Policy
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Foreign affairs and international development

Friday, 12 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering foreign affairs and international development for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Defence

Thursday, 11 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering defence and the armed forces for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: International Affairs (May 2024)

Wednesday, 29 May, 2024

The war between Ukraine and Russia is in its third year, with no immediate resolution in sight. This has raised many questions about its endgame and the long-term implications for both countries. This briefing examines some of the potential scenarios for the war’s conclusion.
In Focus

From the Hansard archives: North Atlantic Treaty 1949

Wednesday, 29 May, 2024

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is 75 years old this summer. This briefing looks back through the Hansard archives to the debate where the House approved the signing of the treaty and finds some themes raised by members that still resonate today.
- In Focus
- International Law
In Focus

Questions to the foreign secretary: 21 May 2024

Monday, 20 May, 2024

Members of the House of Lords will ask Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton a series of oral questions on 21 May 2024. Topics include the government’s assessment of Israel's compliance with an International Court of Justice order regarding Gaza; the number of vessels transporting Russian oil; the UK’s priorities for cooperation with South Africa after forthcoming elections; and what the UK is doing to address conflict-induced food insecurity.
Research Briefing

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill: HL Bill 68 of 2023–24

Thursday, 02 May, 2024

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill is a private member’s bill that originated in the House of Commons. It would allow the government to treat the two organisations in a similar way to international organisations of which the UK is a member. It has government and cross-party support. The bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 May 2024.
- Research Briefing
- Foreign Policy
In Focus

UK aid for marginalised groups and minority communities in Pakistan

Thursday, 18 April, 2024

The UK is one of the largest donors of overseas aid to Pakistan. However, despite a planned increase in the forthcoming financial year, the aid budget that the UK has allocated to Pakistan has declined notably in recent years. This has led to calls for the aid that the UK does provide to be focused more effectively on marginalised groups and minority communities in Pakistan.
- In Focus
- Foreign Policy
In Focus

Questions to the foreign secretary: 16 April 2024

Friday, 12 April, 2024

Members of the House of Lords will ask Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton a series of oral questions on 16 April 2024. Topics include the current state of freedom of religion or belief in India; what is being done to maintain support for Ukraine; when the UK will next hold a bilateral meeting with France on security issues; and whether the UK will mark the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe.
In Focus

AI in Weapon Systems Committee report: Proceed with caution

Wednesday, 10 April, 2024

A House of Lords special inquiry committee has recommended that the government proceeds with caution on the development and use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. This includes adopting an operational definition for autonomous weapon systems and ensuring human control at all stages of such systems’ lifecycle. The government has committed to ensuring meaningful human control and accountability throughout the lifecycle of AI-enabled military systems, but not to adopting an operational definition.
In Focus

UK-India relations: 2030 roadmap and future trade partnership

Wednesday, 03 April, 2024

The UK and India have a complex and multifaceted history. In recent years, their relationship has focused on political and economic cooperation. Both countries have agreed to a framework setting out future relations and are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. With India’s next general election scheduled to take place between April and June 2024, this briefing analyses the potential trajectory of UK-India relations.
In Focus

Supporting persecuted Christians: Government policy

Tuesday, 19 March, 2024

The charitable organisation Open Doors has estimated that more than 365 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination worldwide because of their faith. In 2019, the government asked the Bishop of Truro to map levels of persecution and other discrimination against Christians around the world and present recommendations to the foreign secretary. An independent assessment of the government’s implementation of the review was published in July 2022.
Research Briefing

Genocide (Prevention and Response) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2023–24

Monday, 18 March, 2024

The Genocide (Prevention and Response) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill, sponsored by Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Labour), which would make provision about how the government monitors and reports on activities to prevent and respond to genocide and other atrocity crimes.
In Focus

UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Tuesday, 12 March, 2024

In 2023, the UK government signed the accession protocol to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This briefing includes background information on the negotiations for the UK’s membership of the CPTPP prior to a House of Lords debate on the protocol. It also summarises the recommendations of the House of Lords International Agreements Committee on the protocol.

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