International Regulatory Cooperation Strategy

28 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The Government should advocate for the US and Australia to follow the UK in appointing their own Special Representative (or an equivalent role). Consideration should also be given to establishing a joint secretariat to support them. (Recommendation, Paragraph 39)

The Government should advocate for the US and Australia to follow the UK in appointing their own Special Representative (or an equivalent role). Consideration should also be given to establishing a joint secretariat to support them. (Recommendation, Paragraph 39) Type: …

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21 Sep 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should outline its strategy for responding to and engaging with a rapidly changing multilateral system, in its response to this report. This should include a roadmap detailing the UK’s engagement with the ongoing United Nations 80 (UN80) reform agenda at the United Nations and ensuring that the UK is actively in the room and enhancing the efficiency and the effectiveness of the United Nations. This strategy should also indicate how the UK’s soft power and status as a global con...

The Government should outline its strategy for responding to and engaging with a rapidly changing multilateral system, in its response to this report. This should include a roadmap detailing the UK’s engagement with the ongoing United Nations 80 (UN80) reform …

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9 Jun 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should actively foster international collaboration and stakeholder engagement by building consensus among Treaty Parties. As a trusted and experienced actor, the UK could play a pivotal role in Antarctic Treaty forums, facilitating dialogue to align visitor management practices and environmental safeguards. (Recommendation, Paragraph 212)

The Government should actively foster international collaboration and stakeholder engagement by building consensus among Treaty Parties. As a trusted and experienced actor, the UK could play a pivotal role in Antarctic Treaty forums, facilitating dialogue to align visitor management practices …

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3 Mar 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government’s framework for industrial relations provides strong principles that can help to shape a future settlement based on productive engagement between trade unions and employers. To develop this ambition, we recommend that the Government develops a clear and long- term industrial relations strategy to ensure that implementation of those principles is credibly resourced and embedded through enforcement, policy and collaboration with unions, employers, Acas and other important stakeho...

The Government’s framework for industrial relations provides strong principles that can help to shape a future settlement based on productive engagement between trade unions and employers. To develop this ambition, we recommend that the Government develops a clear and long- …

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10 Nov 2023 | Committee report linked

There are opportunities for increased trade and investment for UK companies in Central Asian states. Policies on investment should be clearer and calibrated to its efforts to curb corruption in-country and in the City of London, its ministerial engagement programme, its ethical principles and work to ensure the resilience of critical supply chains. Ministers should be alive to the opportunity to improve standards of corporate governance through encouraging listing of firms on the London Stock...

There are opportunities for increased trade and investment for UK companies in Central Asian states. Policies on investment should be clearer and calibrated to its efforts to curb corruption in-country and in the City of London, its ministerial engagement programme, …

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30 Aug 2023 | Committee report linked

The Government should urgently publish an unclassified version of its China Strategy to ensure cross-Government coherence and also publish sector-specific guidance to support, in particular, industries of critical national importance, national security, or data-intensive industries. It must also ensure all relevant Ministers have been briefed on the higher classification version.

The Government should urgently publish an unclassified version of its China Strategy to ensure cross-Government coherence and also publish sector-specific guidance to support, in particular, industries of critical national importance, national security, or data-intensive industries. It must also ens

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30 Aug 2023 | Committee report linked

[We believe that the activities outlined in the report, such as the attack on demonstrators outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester. are not isolated incidents, but rather a sustained attempt by the PRC to intimidate expats and dissidents from China and Hong Kong living abroad into refraining from holding or expressing certain views or beliefs. The CCP is working to silence anyone willing to voice criticism against its most egregious acts.] In addition to reactively addressing such incide...

[We believe that the activities outlined in the report, such as the attack on demonstrators outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester. are not isolated incidents, but rather a sustained attempt by the PRC to intimidate expats and dissidents from China …

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26 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government explicitly states that it opposes the co-operation of any country with the Wagner Network, or future iterations thereof, due to the security threats of the ‘Wagner model’ of business and governance. Where countries can be incentivised not to partner with the network or to re-engage after partnering with it, they should be. National governments that collude with the Wagner Network to breach UN sanctions, or that take no steps to protect their populations from W...

We recommend that the Government explicitly states that it opposes the co-operation of any country with the Wagner Network, or future iterations thereof, due to the security threats of the ‘Wagner model’ of business and governance. Where countries can be …

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26 Jul 2023 | Committee report linked

In its response, the Government should set out the steps that it will take to strengthen the international legal framework governing PMCs’ activities, drawing on the UK’s deep legal expertise. Its response should address the following aspects: (Paragraph 88) 58 Guns for gold: the Wagner Network exposed (i) how the UK will take steps to move forward the debates around the definition of ‘mercenaries’ and PMCs; (ii) how the UK will work to improve the accountability of Wagner fighters in more co...

In its response, the Government should set out the steps that it will take to strengthen the international legal framework governing PMCs’ activities, drawing on the UK’s deep legal expertise. Its response should address the following aspects: (Paragraph 88) 58 …

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31 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

City of London Police acknowledged that having the mechanisms to work internationally is important to allow the government to work proactively to tackle fraud. However, the NCA was admitted that government “really do have a lot more to do” when it comes to building relationships with international partners.46 Government has done some work with individual countries, for example, the NCA told us it had worked with law enforcement agencies in India looking at investment fraud, and in Ghana and N...

City of London Police acknowledged that having the mechanisms to work internationally is important to allow the government to work proactively to tackle fraud. However, the NCA was admitted that government “really do have a lot more to do” when …

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13 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

The current approach to cultural policymaking by Government is too scatter-gun to be effective, particular in comparison to other successful countries with whom we are competing for market share. We recommend that the Government take a more strategic approach to policymaking regarding cultural production and the creative industries. Responsibilities are dispersed across too many departments, which has created persistent issues, including in international trade, visas and the ongoing skills sh...

The current approach to cultural policymaking by Government is too scatter-gun to be effective, particular in comparison to other successful countries with whom we are competing for market share. We recommend that the Government take a more strategic approach to …

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18 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

China represents an important security challenge for the UK; it is also an important partner. The Integrated Review acknowledged that the UK will need to continue to compete with China in some areas while cooperating in others. When updating the Integrated Review, the Government should address the long-term viability of this approach. The long-term goal must be to foster greater resilience and economic diversification, so that in the future the UK has more freedom to choose its actions in res...

China represents an important security challenge for the UK; it is also an important partner. The Integrated Review acknowledged that the UK will need to continue to compete with China in some areas while cooperating in others. When updating the …

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28 Nov 2022 | Committee report linked

The UK is an important part of global semiconductor supply chains, but it is reliant upon other countries. The UK alone will not have an end-to-end supply chain for semiconductors, but it has tradeable strengths. The Government should work more closely with allies in the EU and US, and elsewhere, to safeguard security of supply, both of finished products and of the materials needed for production in the UK. The Government should at the same time be working to represent the UK’s expertise and ...

The UK is an important part of global semiconductor supply chains, but it is reliant upon other countries. The UK alone will not have an end-to-end supply chain for semiconductors, but it has tradeable strengths. The Government should work more …

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12 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

While the UK was an EU member state, the regulators exerted international influence primarily through the EU, even where they took part in international fora as individual organisations.56 The regulators now represent the UK’s interests outside of the EU. The regulators recognise the importance of strengthening their international links to share knowledge, establish best practice and improve standards, and develop cooperation arrangements.57 The regulators told us that for this reason they ar...

While the UK was an EU member state, the regulators exerted international influence primarily through the EU, even where they took part in international fora as individual organisations.56 The regulators now represent the UK’s interests outside of the EU. The …

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12 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

The regulators are taking steps towards increasing their participation in international fora, as well as developing bilateral agreements and relationships with counterparts.60 CMA signed a mutual assistance and cooperation framework with its counterparts in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and also told us it had agreed a common approach to mergers with its German and Australian counterparts.61 FSA and HSE have focused on developing their participation and influence withi...

The regulators are taking steps towards increasing their participation in international fora, as well as developing bilateral agreements and relationships with counterparts.60 CMA signed a mutual assistance and cooperation framework with its counterparts in the United States, Canada, New Zealand …

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8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The growing influence of private companies in global technology governance, and on the norms and rules that shape our societies, has profound implications for the future role and identity of the nation-state. The Government has yet to demonstrate that it has seriously considered its role and influence within this new environment and how it might manage the consequences of these shifts in influence and identity. In the forthcoming International Technology Strategy, we recommend that the FCDO c...

The growing influence of private companies in global technology governance, and on the norms and rules that shape our societies, has profound implications for the future role and identity of the nation-state. The Government has yet to demonstrate that it …

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8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The UK’s position on technology standards vis-à-vis the US and EU remains unclear and the Government’s stance on many elements of the Transatlantic Trade and Technology Partnership remain ambiguous. The UK therefore risks becoming Encoding values: Putting tech at the heart of UK foreign policy 31 a rule-taker rather than a rule-maker. The Government should clearly articulate its position on data sharing, privacy and private-sector regulation, so that it can establish a starting point for disc...

The UK’s position on technology standards vis-à-vis the US and EU remains unclear and the Government’s stance on many elements of the Transatlantic Trade and Technology Partnership remain ambiguous. The UK therefore risks becoming Encoding values: Putting tech at the …

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8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

We cannot meaningfully influence the global order without the cooperation and support of our partners. While there is an opportunity for the UK to exercise thought leadership, we cannot go it alone and should not seek to carve out a “fourth way” for the UK in global technology governance. We recommend that the FCDO leverages its diplomatic influence and wider relationships to promote mutual understanding among the world’s different regulatory blocs, to facilitate a cohesive international appr...

We cannot meaningfully influence the global order without the cooperation and support of our partners. While there is an opportunity for the UK to exercise thought leadership, we cannot go it alone and should not seek to carve out a …

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8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The integration of technology within UK foreign policy should reflect the intrinsic links between the UK’s domestic capabilities and its global influence. The Government’s recent measures to encourage growth and support start-ups within the UK technology sector are welcome, but they have been undermined by the Government’s previous reticence to review and intervene in foreign investments that risk moving strategically important UK businesses overseas. This slow erosion of our domestic capabil...

The integration of technology within UK foreign policy should reflect the intrinsic links between the UK’s domestic capabilities and its global influence. The Government’s recent measures to encourage growth and support start-ups within the UK technology sector are welcome, but …

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16 Jun 2022 | Committee report linked

There is a clear view from the financial services sector that co-operation between regulators is more significant than trade deals for ensuring reciprocal market access for financial services. While trade deals can open up new markets for financial services, the Government should strive to make progress on mutual recognition as an element in any free trade agreement. (Paragraph 46) Regulatory objectives and priorities

There is a clear view from the financial services sector that co-operation between regulators is more significant than trade deals for ensuring reciprocal market access for financial services. While trade deals can open up new markets for financial services, the …

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25 Apr 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government must convene a global taskforce to promote the standardisation of the remaining international travel requirements that were introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Government should pursue bilateral negotiations with countries with high rates of vaccination to facilitate the removal of such restrictions. (Paragraph 35) Consumer rights

The Government must convene a global taskforce to promote the standardisation of the remaining international travel requirements that were introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Government should pursue bilateral negotiations with countries with high rates of vaccination to …

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23 Mar 2022 | Committee report linked

The pandemic has highlighted the critical role of international collaboration for managing the risks that the UK faces. Given the increasingly interconnected nature of our world, several of the main risks facing the UK may originate abroad and, if they materialise, will require a coordinated international response. To detect them and respond to them effectively, government needs to strengthen the exchange of information with other countries, cooperate on horizon scanning and the early detecti...

The pandemic has highlighted the critical role of international collaboration for managing the risks that the UK faces. Given the increasingly interconnected nature of our world, several of the main risks facing the UK may originate abroad and, if they …

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23 Mar 2022 | Committee report linked

The Cabinet Office acknowledged the need for international co-operation to assess threats, manage risks and share information. As examples of the UK’s engagement, they mentioned work carried out with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to Ebola; the Carbis Bay Declaration, issued in July 2021, which commits G7 countries to share results from vaccine and therapeutic trials to tackle COVID-19 and prevent future health threats; the commitment of governments and life science industry,...

The Cabinet Office acknowledged the need for international co-operation to assess threats, manage risks and share information. As examples of the UK’s engagement, they mentioned work carried out with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to Ebola; the Carbis …

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30 Sep 2021 | Written evidence linked

Written evidence from Which? highlighted the increasing importance of international cooperation to support product safety in the UK, particularly in relation to information sharing and enforcement cooperation. Which? suggested that this be achieved through trade negotiations and international organisations such as the OECD and the UN Conference on Trade and Development.26 The Department told us that it sits on the OECD’s working group on consumer product safety and has close working relations...

Written evidence from Which? highlighted the increasing importance of international cooperation to support product safety in the UK, particularly in relation to information sharing and enforcement cooperation. Which? suggested that this be achieved through trade negotiations and international organi

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15 Sep 2021 | Committee report linked

The Department told us that the UK is ranked highly in terms of regulatory policy and competitiveness by international bodies such as the OECD, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum (WEF). We heard that the Department seeks to learn from 5 Q 39 6 Q 40 7 Q 65 8 Q 39 9 Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, CP 111, June 2019. 10 Q 59 11 Written response from Ms Jaee Samant CBE to PAC Chair Meg Hillier, 22 June 2021. 12 Q 60 10 Principles of effective regulation international bes...

The Department told us that the UK is ranked highly in terms of regulatory policy and competitiveness by international bodies such as the OECD, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum (WEF). We heard that the Department seeks to …

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17 Jun 2021 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government’s engagement with multilaterals includes a tactical element of multilateral strategy such that it tracks the activities of authoritarian states within both higher and lower profile multilateral organisations, reports on implications of any moves to exert influence; and adjusts its interventions accordingly. We recommend that the FCDO should coordinate this unified approach across Whitehall, covering all multilateral organisations. Coalitions of like-minded states

We recommend that the Government’s engagement with multilaterals includes a tactical element of multilateral strategy such that it tracks the activities of authoritarian states within both higher and lower profile multilateral organisations, reports on implications of any moves to exert …

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4 Feb 2021 | Committee report linked

The UK’s telecommunications market accounts for a small proportion of the global market. International co-ordination will therefore be critical to the success of the UK’s diversification strategy. The Government’s 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy acknowledges this fact, and states the Government’s ambition for international co-operation. However, the strategy provides little detail of plans for sustained co-ordination on industrial policy with a diverse range of countries.

The UK’s telecommunications market accounts for a small proportion of the global market. International co-ordination will therefore be critical to the success of the UK’s diversification strategy. The Government’s 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy acknowledges this fact, and states the …

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4 Feb 2021 | Committee report linked

The setting of international standards is important for national economic competitivity and technical capability. The influence of British companies and officials in global standards-setting processes is diminishing. Although the ‘5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy’ sets out the Government’s intention to redress this in the telecommunications sector, it is not clear that there are similar plans for other important technological sectors.

The setting of international standards is important for national economic competitivity and technical capability. The influence of British companies and officials in global standards-setting processes is diminishing. Although the ‘5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy’ sets out the Government’s i

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16 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

The UK’s history in the region, and relationship with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, make it uniquely placed amongst the signatories of the JCPOA to build regional and international consensus on how to meet the challenges posed by Iran’s destabilising activity. This should form a core part of any strategy going forward to improve upon the JCPOA.

The UK’s history in the region, and relationship with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, make it uniquely placed amongst the signatories of the JCPOA to build regional and international consensus on how to meet the challenges posed …

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13 Nov 2020 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government continues to project clearly onto the international stage, the importance it places on the UK’s place within the rules-based international infrastructure and the crucial foundations of human rights and the rule of law as fundamental British values. (Paragraph 55) The UK response

We recommend that the Government continues to project clearly onto the international stage, the importance it places on the UK’s place within the rules-based international infrastructure and the crucial foundations of human rights and the rule of law as fundamental …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

Such competition has stalled, and to some degree reversed, cooperation through multilateral organisations. The drive towards international arbitration is increasingly challenged by great power rivalry and influence projection. The world lacks consensus-building leadership. Global divides are widening, and there is a risk of the world’s challenges becoming more abundant, more severe, and more difficult to resolve.

Such competition has stalled, and to some degree reversed, cooperation through multilateral organisations. The drive towards international arbitration is increasingly challenged by great power rivalry and influence projection. The world lacks consensus-building leadership. Global divides are widenin

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The UK’s own international policy has been adrift. It has lacked clarity.

The UK’s own international policy has been adrift. It has lacked clarity. Type: conclusion | Number: 6 | Paragraph: 7 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 6.1 The UK will continue to be a leading voice in upholding and defending …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The UK has a strong capacity to use its memberships and influence to bring countries together in dialogue. Contributors also admired the UK as a pragmatic country whose thought leadership, and the legal drafting capabilities of the FCDO’s lawyers, can bring the world together through agreed, stable and predictable frameworks. The UK’s own adherence to such frameworks is of paramount importance to its international reputation.

The UK has a strong capacity to use its memberships and influence to bring countries together in dialogue. Contributors also admired the UK as a pragmatic country whose thought leadership, and the legal drafting capabilities of the FCDO’s lawyers, can …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The UK intends to prioritise its promotion of trade, and trade policy has the capacity to become a significant aspect of the UK’s international influence. But, if it is not coordinated with other UK priorities abroad, then the elevation of trade risks introducing further incoherence into the UK’s international policy. We recommend that the Government delivers even deeper strategic coordination between the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the FCDO to ensure greater policy coherence...

The UK intends to prioritise its promotion of trade, and trade policy has the capacity to become a significant aspect of the UK’s international influence. But, if it is not coordinated with other UK priorities abroad, then the elevation of …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

We recommend that, as part of its problem-solving and burden sharing role, the FCDO prioritises mediation, conflict resolution, and atrocity prevention. And we recommend that the Government equips the FCDO with an enhanced and institutionalised capability to coordinate with the Ministry of Defence in this space, to maximise the coherence and impact of the UK’s contribution.

We recommend that, as part of its problem-solving and burden sharing role, the FCDO prioritises mediation, conflict resolution, and atrocity prevention. And we recommend that the Government equips the FCDO with an enhanced and institutionalised capability to coordinate with the …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The UK should use its convening power and thought leadership to bring together nimble networks of like-minded nations by agreeing a baseline for cooperation between them. These coalitions would be open, issue-based, fleet-footed, overlapping, and even temporary: a ‘vari-lateral’ system.

The UK should use its convening power and thought leadership to bring together nimble networks of like-minded nations by agreeing a baseline for cooperation between them. These coalitions would be open, issue-based, fleet-footed, overlapping, and even temporary: a ‘vari-lateral’ system. …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

We recommend that: i) The UK use its convening power and thought leadership to seek agreement for regulations relating to frontier sectors such as emerging technologies, the cyber and space domains: mitigating threats by agreeing standards and allowing states instead to access opportunities for exchange, innovation, and mutual benefit. ii) The Government should establish diplomatic missions to the leading technology companies: achieving their cooperation in setting the rules and standards for...

We recommend that: i) The UK use its convening power and thought leadership to seek agreement for regulations relating to frontier sectors such as emerging technologies, the cyber and space domains: mitigating threats by agreeing standards and allowing states instead …

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