The UK Government updated their Integrated Review on 13th March. The Integrated Review Refresh 2023 updates the government’s security, defence, development and foreign policy priorities to reflect changes in the global context since Integrated Review 2021. The report is available here.
Frances Guy, chief executive of Scotland’s International Development Alliance, commented:
“We welcome the UK Government’s continued commitment to fighting climate change and biodiversity loss as the first priority theme of this integrated review refresh, along with the commitment to reinvigorate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to alleviate poverty and to address some of the root causes of geopolitical instability. Nevertheless, it remains regrettable that the UK Government has avoided this opportunity to recommit to the 0.7% GNP target for official development assistance (ODA). Positive words recognising the value of long term partnerships to deliver sustainable development and the ambition to become a champion of net-zero finance are very welcome but are not a substitute for clear commitments to reduce levels of global debt and support the poorest to overcome global economic equalities. Genuine commitment and delivery on the SDGs is the best way of showing leadership by example.”