The Prime Minister will make the case for a world economy that is
more peaceful, stable, and prosperous and for bold reforms to
global governance to make it more inclusive and responsive to
citizens as he attends the second day of the G7 Leaders Summit in
Italy today (Friday 14 June).
During a global outreach session focused on Artificial
Intelligence and Energy, and Africa and the Mediterranean, he
will argue that this means reforming the international financial
system to unlock the finance we need to accelerate progress
against the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening the
voices of the most vulnerable at the top table of international
politics.
He will outline the importance of supporting countries in
delivering their own clean energy transitions, and in harnessing
the opportunities presented by AI.
To support this he will announce multi-year ODA funding which
could exceed £100m, including several high-impact African
projects and a £20m expansion of the AI for Development programme
into Asia – building on £38m the UK is already investing in
Africa.
Prime Minister said:
“The UK is committed to driving a more effective international
system that improves lives for people across the globe and at
home.
“The green transition and the development of AI are key
components of this, and the funding announced today will help
ensure that these seismic changes happen in a way that works for
all.”
The AI for Development programme, was launched at the Bletchley
Park AI Safety Summit in November 2023 to fund safe and
responsible AI projects for development around the world,
beginning in Africa.
The UK-Canada partnership, with support from the US, Australia,
and other partners, will help ensure this ground-breaking
technology is accessible to as many people as possible across the
globe as well as deliver new AI labs to train the next generation
of developers, policymakers and thought leaders, to drive
responsible and inclusive AI policy.
The funding outlined today includes £57m of ODA to the
Climate Compatible Growth Programme, which will accelerate the
roll-out of improved, climate resilient infrastructure in
developing countries. It will provide even more countries across
sub-Saharan Africa and Asia with the UK expertise needed to
support improved, climate resilient infrastructure.
The multi-year ODA funding will include up to £35 million into
the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa will catalyse
greater investment into sustainable infrastructure projects
across the continent. The finance will help to bridge Africa's
infrastructure deficit, by accelerating investment at scale into
new green infrastructure.
Partnering with the World Bank and the EU to support African
regional electricity transmission and strengthen climate
resilience, £15m will contribute to the Zambian side of the
Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector as part of a $300m project that
will link the Southern and East African Power Pools. Leading with
our development partners to invest in energy infrastructure in
Zambia will aid the country to access clean energy. This is vital
for poverty reduction and economic development.
This investment, alongside a £300,000 contribution for mapping by
the British Geological Survey in Angola, will be crucial in
supporting the economic development along the length of the
Lobito Corridor.
The funding also includes £500,000 for an initiative
to support planning, prioritisation and implementation of
green infrastructure initiatives between the UK, the Government
of Kenya and the wider G7. Focusing on transport projects
selected from the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative
(AGII), this innovative partnership will lead to closer
cooperation with the Kenyan Government on strategic
infrastructure and investment and is the first partnership
between the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment and AGII.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- As set out in the general election
guidance, international business continues as normal during the
period of the general election. The announcements made by the
Government at the G7 conform to that guidance.
- In line with
established convention, the Opposition have been consulted.
- These projects were approved before
the election was announced.
