UK ready to partner with ASEAN to drive green revolution, investment
25 Oct 2021
The United Kingdom (UK) stands ready to partner with ASEAN in harnessing green revolution for the future.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is at the forefront of this revolution.
“With our 10-Point Plan to build back not only better, but build back greener and more sustainably, you will find no better partner to work alongside in this exciting new age,” he said at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 held virtually on Monday.
Johnson added that the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow next week is the last best chance to begin the global push to net zero.
“And if we can use that opportunity to deliver real substantive action on coal cars, cash and trees then I really do believe that we can not only keep temperature increases below 1.5 degrees, but we can also usher in a worldwide green industrial revolution, growing economies by cutting emissions,” he said.
He said there is no choice to be made between going green and creating jobs, as they were two sides of the same coin.
“And there’s no doubt at all that green investment is the future, something like 70% of global GDP is already located in countries committed to net zero,” he said.
Johnson also expressed optimism that two way trade between ASEAN and the UK will rise in the post pandemic era.
He noted that pre pandemic, the UK were already doing some £40 billion of business in the region each year.
“Now, as we all seek to build back better from coronavirus. I want to see that figure rise further still, and I’m sure it will because Global Britain is once again open to the world,” he said.
He said although the UK and Southeast Asia may appear very different, both have shared deep and enduring ties in business, education, culture, history and more.
“Let’s use that unique relationship to make the most of this green revolution, and invest in the future not just of ASEAN and the UK but of future generation around the world,” he said.
The UK becomes ASEAN’s newest dialogue partner in August this year.
Source: Bernama
