New strategy to help build stability overseas
The Government has today published a new strategy outlining how the UK will help protect civilians by stopping serious conflict from taking hold in fragile states. The Building Stability Overseas Strategy sets out how the UK can enhance its own security and prosperity by identifying, preventing and ending instability and conflict overseas, using our diplomatic, development, military and security tools, and drawing on Britain’s unique experience, relationships, reputation and values.
Developed by the Stabilisation Unit's three parent departments, the Foreign Office, Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence, the strategy has three main parts:
Early warning: improving our ability to anticipate instability and potential triggers for conflict
Rapid crisis prevention and response: improving our ability to take fast, appropriate and effective action to prevent a crisis or stop it spreading or escalating
Investing in upstream prevention: helping to build strong, legitimate institutions and robust societies in fragile countries that are capable of managing tensions and shocks so there is a lower likelihood of instability and conflict
The strategy specifically outlines the capability of the Stabilisation Unit in helping provide the expertise and capacity to quickly respond to prevent and tackle instability and violent conflict and it highlights the role of Stabilisation Response Teams (SRTs), including the deployment of the first SRT to Libya.
Announcing the new strategy, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
“The publication of the Government’s Building Stability Overseas Strategy today could not be more timely. The Arab Spring has demonstrated just how uncertain the world can be and has highlighted the need for a strategic UK approach to early engagement in places at risk of instability.
“This strategy seeks to address the lessons we have learnt from recent events and marks the first time that the Government has put in place an integrated cross-government strategy to address conflict issues.”
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:
“The Building Stability Overseas Strategy will help the UK to work more effectively to tackle instability upstream, helping to prevent conflict and the suffering it causes. This goes to the heart of the drive to achieve better targeted, more effective aid.
“Not only is this cost-effective and beneficial for the security of the UK, it will also help to improve the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people on the planet.”
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:
“War torn countries represent some of the toughest challenges we face overseas.
“The MOD has an important role to play in helping to build stability overseas as our strong reputation and global reach allows us to achieve preferred outcomes through influence and persuasion to protect national security interests.
“Defence engagement is designed to improve our understanding and influence across the world. We will coordinate the MOD capabilities with cross-Government activity to prevent threats from emerging. Our engagement in many areas helps build democratically accountable security services that may also contribute to International Peacekeeping missions.”