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Written Question
UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Tuesday 11th February 2020

Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)

Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the Government will take steps to negotiate a deal at CoP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity which (a) recognises the importance of biodiversity conservation for sustainable development and tackling climate change and (b) is aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

Answered by Andrew Murrison

The UK will be seeking an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to spur global action, recognising the transformative change needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Addressing this challenge and tackling climate change are critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of this post-2020 global biodiversity framework, the Government wants to see new targets agreed that are both ambitious and implementable, and it will be important that they are measurable. We recognise the major role nature-based solutions play in climate change mitigation and adaptation and are working to ensure the Convention on Biological Diversity framework and agreements at COP 26 reinforce this message that both need to be tackled together to deliver the necessary step change at the national and global levels.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 20 May 2019
Ebola Outbreak: DRC

"For intervention to be decisive, clinical experts will have to be deployed at pace and at scale. Will the Secretary of State indicate what discussions he is having with our international counterparts to ensure that such resources, as are required from us and our allies, are deployed as quickly as …..."
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Written Question
Developing Countries: Diseases
Monday 24th April 2017

Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)

Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of UK official development assistance was allocated for the treatment of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in each of the last three years.

Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm

Details of the UK’s official development assistance spend on health are published in Statistics on International Development https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-2016. Our reporting is based on internationally agreed OECD Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) codes, as part of our commitment to transparent reporting of development assistance in a way that permits international comparisons. Non-communicable diseases and diabetes are not categories within the OECD-DAC codes.

As part of the UK’s commitment to achieving the Global Goals, DFID supports countries to build stronger health systems that can respond to both the existing disease burden and changing health needs, including non-communicable diseases.

Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 23 Mar 2017
Syrian Refugee Crisis

"Does the hon. Gentleman agree that while there is suffering elsewhere, the middle east is the true epicentre of suffering? Does he welcome, as I do, the effort of the British Government to take 3,000 unaccompanied children from the region—an effort that is not necessarily matched by our international counterparts?..."
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Written Question
Overseas Aid
Monday 5th September 2016

Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)

Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of applying the target of spending 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product on international aid over a five-year term.

Answered by Rory Stewart

The International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 requires the 0.7% of Gross National Income target to be met on an annual basis. This is also in accordance with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) rules to report Official Development Assistance annually to the OECD. The Government is committed to continuing to comply with the Act.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 29 Jun 2016
Oral Answers to Questions

"15. I am proud of our international aid record, but we have to take the public with us. Does my right hon. Friend agree that if the target were to apply over a longer period, thereby allowing for annual variations to reflect need, taxpayers could have the greatest possible comfort …..."
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 13 Jun 2016
Foreign Aid Expenditure

"Britain is of course a humanitarian nation, and it is right that we do our duty by the world’s most vulnerable, but there are legitimate concerns that the requirement to meet the target of 0.7% each year creates a risk that poor-value projects will be approved, and that money will …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 28 Oct 2015
Oral Answers to Questions

"In supporting preparations for winter in refugee camps, will my right hon. Friend confirm that the United Kingdom is taking the lead in Europe in providing more resources than any of our European allies?..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 09 Sep 2015
Humanitarian Crisis in the Mediterranean and Europe

"Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that the Prime Minister made it absolutely clear that the number will not be staggered on a year-by-year basis? It may well be based on need, which means that many more than 4,000 are accommodated across the United Kingdom. We must be careful not to …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 09 Sep 2015
Humanitarian Crisis in the Mediterranean and Europe

"First, may I thank the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) for the tone of his opening remarks and say what a great privilege it is to speak in a debate in which so many powerful contributions have already been made? It is important to recognise that humane and compassionate …..."
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