World news story

UK supports Angola’s transitioning to Green Economy

PM’s Trade Envoy visits Luanda for the first time to further the expansion of commercial relations between both countries focusing on sustainable development.

From:
British Embassy Luanda
Published
4 October 2021

The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Angola, Laurence Robertson and 2021 Chevening Scholar, Jozanga Fernandes

The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Angola, Laurence Robertson MP, visited Luanda from 31 August to 1 September 2021. During the Trade Envoy’s first visit to Angola since his appointment, Mr Robertson met Ministers and Senior Members of the Angolan Government including Economic Coordination, Finance, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas, Energy and Water, Transport, and the Angolan National Bank.

The meetings covered a vast range of issues focussing on the work around greening the economy, climate change, financial inclusion and infrastructure to support Angola’s low-carbon development. Coming ahead of COP26, the global conference on climate change to be held in the UK in November, there was a strong emphasis on the transition to a green economy through the adaption of green finance instruments, sustainable solutions in transport, industry and agriculture, and work towards net zero emissions.

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Angola, Jessica Hand, joined the Trade Envoy throughout all his meetings, and together they co-hosted the ‘Chevening Farewell and Chamber of Commerce Reception’ for the 2021 Chevening Scholars and British businesses based in Angola. It was an opportunity to network with British businesspeople and to bid farewell to 9 brilliant Angolan Chevening Scholarship recipients who were on their way to start their Masters programmes in the UK.

The Chevening Scholarships 2021 are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with BP Angola and its Block 18 partners (Equinor, Sonangol P&P, SSI and the National Agency for Oil and Gas). The subjects that this year’s scholars will study include:

  • Computer Network Administration and Management
  • 5G Mobile Communications and Intelligent Embedded Systems
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Creative Arts in Education
  • Energy and Environment
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Environmental Management
  • Renewable Energy
  • Engineering and Management of Complex Projects

All of these are areas essential to support sustainable development, as well as implement positive change in local communities.

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Angola, Jessica Hand, The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Angola, Laurence Robertson and the 9 Angola Chevening Scholars 2021

The Ambassador to Angola, Jessica Hand said:

I would like to congratulate the nine 2021/22 Chevening scholars for their fantastic achievements. We are all very proud of what you have achieved.

The highly competitive Chevening Scholarship Programme presents opportunities to create a lifelong network of global leaders and friends who possess the motivation and drive to improve their communities. Thanks to Chevening, you will be pursuing a Master’s degree in an area of your choice in the UK to improve your skills and be a change-maker in Angola and the world.

I understand that the vision for the UK Angola Chamber of Commerce is to become a community of business leaders and a celebration of UK Culture in Angola, bringing together members and friends from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds, all of whom have a link to the UK in their own way.

I am happy to see so many of our Chevening Alumni now actively involved in the Chamber. And for our outgoing scholars, I hope this shows you that there will be a supportive community of like-minded leaders to help you upon your return to Angola.

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce our Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Laurence Robertson, on his first visit to Angola. Laurence is currently in the middle of a brief but fruitful visit to Luanda, and so I would encourage you all to tell him a little more about your experiences of Angola.

The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Angola, Laurence Robertson MP said:

Tackling climate change is a priority, and what we would like to do in Angola - similar to what we are doing in the UK - is to help with the transition from more polluting industries and activities to cleaner and greener industries and activities.

I found a great willingness in Angola to make that transition. I know that Angola has a lot of oil, and we want to work with the oil companies to clean the process in the same way we are doing with the North Sea oil industry in the UK. There are many areas in which we can work. I have met various Ministers so far and will meet more, and all are very enthusiastic about this relationship, which is very good.

My role involves promoting British business, finding opportunities for them and helping business and government relations between Angola and the UK. We are supported by the Ambassador and her team on the ground, also by the Department for International Trade, to increase export opportunities and trade opportunities which are a big priority for the British Government.

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Published 4 October 2021