UK and Arab Spring
The Arab Spring has demonstrated just how uncertain the world can be. The eruption
of democracy movements across the Middle East and North Africa may turn out to be
the most important development of the early 21st century, providing the international
community with an opportunity to support the development of resilient societies and to
help bring stability to the region.
The Arab Spring has also challenged long standing notions of stability. Challenges to
oppression, if managed peacefully, can be a rejuvenating force for society, unlocking
economic potential and re-enfranchising the disaffected. This strategy is built on the
insight that stability can only be achieved when a society has the strong and legitimate
institutions it needs to manage tensions peacefully.
It seeks to address the lessons we have learnt from these events and marks the first
time that the Government has put in place an integrated cross-government strategy to
address conflict issues. By focusing on Early Warning we will improve our ability to
anticipate instability and potential triggers for conflict. When crises emerge we will act
to deliver rapid crisis prevention and response, improving our ability to take fast,
appropriate and effective action to prevent a crisis or stop it escalating or spreading.
We will invest in upstream prevention to build strong, legitimate institutions in fragile
countries so that they are capable of managing tensions and shocks.
Implementing the strategy will require a consolidated effort, using all our diplomatic,
development and defence capabilities as well as drawing on external expertise.
Through active expeditionary diplomacy we will build stronger ties with countries we
can work with to promote stability. We will seek to work more closely with existing
international partners and incorporate this agenda into our developing relationships
with the emerging powers. We will use Britain’s weight and influence in institutions
including the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and the International
Financial Institutions.
We have already announced the substantial extra resources which will underpin the
strategy. By 2014/15 we will have increased to 30% the proportion of UK Official
Development Assistance (ODA) that supports fragile and conflict affected states. The
resources of the Conflict Pool, jointly operated by the FCO, DFID and MOD, will rise to
a total of £1.125 billion over the Spending Review Period. The Arab Partnership
initiative will expand to £110 million over the next four years to support political and
economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa. Working to address instability
and conflict upstream is a sound investment; it is both morally right and in our national
interest.
We will share joint responsibility for the implementation of this strategy which delivers
on the commitment we made in the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence
and Security Review last year.
William Hague
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Andrew Mitchell
Secretary of State for International Development
Dr Liam Fox
Secretary of State for Defence