Author: Ryan Henson, Chief Executive

In his Ditchley Lecture earlier this year, CIA Director, Bill Burns, set out three trends which are reshaping international politics. In his view, those are: 

1. The challenges of strategic competition from a rising, ambitious China and a declining but disruptive Russia, 

2. ‘Problems without passports’ such as climate change, pandemics and irregular migration, and 

3. The tech revolution, which is fundamentally altering the role of the nation-state.

This is the strategic context within which we are all now operating. That this is understood by the government was clear both in its Integrated Review Refresh earlier this year and in the new Development White Paper, launched earlier this week. This White Paper goes beyond a worthy list of aspirations and situates the UK’s development policy firmly within the broader strategic environment that is shaping our foreign policy. For those of us who think that the UK’s development capability is a crucial part of its international toolkit, there is much to that in the White Paper that is to be welcomed.

It takes increased strategic competition seriously and sets out clearly how the UK will use its development funding and expertise to build long-term, tailored partnerships that reflect our strengths and the needs of developing countries. It also is very clear that if we want to strengthen the international rules based order, we need to demonstrate to others that it can deliver tangible results for them too. This attentive, imaginative form of partnership is exactly what we need if we’re to outcompete strategic rivals like China. As the newly appointed Foreign Secretary argued earlier this year, it is by working to strengthen the international system and delivering for our partners that we will strengthen our ability to check the rise of China’s international influence. 

It is also welcome that the White Paper sets out in detail the importance of addressing the  global crises that are making our world more uncertain and volatile, as well as more contested by other states. Tackling climate change, irregular migration and pandemics is vital and so it is right that tackling these issues is a core part of what we should aspire to do through our development work. The focus on building resilience and taking advantage of new technology are both important parts of achieving that. 

As with all documents of this kind, much of its value will only be demonstrated through its delivery. The approach is right. It now remains to be seen whether the FCDO will be given the resources to build the partnerships for the long-term that this country needs. 

A shorter version of this article was first published in Britain’s World.