Ambassadorial Briefing with Matthew Rycroft “International Peace and Security in 2017” #2017 BritishAmerican Business @BABNewYork
@KPMG @HoganLovells
@bab_newyork
Transitions Ambassador Matthew Rycroft covered a wide range of topics during his time addressing BritishAmerican Business members. Here are some of his key messages: A) United Nations The future of the UN is strong. One challenge under new Secretary General Antonio Guterres will be to reform the UN whilst keeping the United States engaged, even as the new US Administration has yet to see the full potential of the UN.
Ambassador Matthew Rycroft UK Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations @MatthewRycroft1
“Brexit is the prism through which all issues are viewed.” - Ambassador Matthew Rycroft
B) United States The most challenging situations facing the Security Council have involved countries like Russia, Syria, North Korea, Libya and Iran. UK Prime Minster Theresa May in her meeting with Donald Trump on January 27 is likely to raise mutual security interests with the United States as a main area for cooperation and these countries specifically as concerns for international peace and security. C) United Kingdom By the end of March 2017, Article 50 will be triggered to formally initiate a British exit from the European Union. “Brexit” currently dominates UK politics, and is the prism through which all issues are viewed. Despite the fact that this is a major turning point for the UK, the country is not leaving the world stage and not shrinking to a lesser role in the United Nations. In fact, just the opposite. The US and UK take the lead in drafting most resolutions for the Security Council. The United Kingdom views Russia as a threat, as demonstrated by its invasion of Ukraine. Recent demonstrations of their intentions, from Crimea to Syria, indicate that Russia is not willing to accept a role as a peace partner. They are deliberately being uncooperative. The larger question becomes, how can the United States and the United Kingdom work together in relation to Russia?
· Will PM May be able to have a freer conversation with President Trump given the Brexit vote? PM May and President Trump will forge good relations. As former Home Secretary, the PM is focused on countering terrorism and controlling immigration, as well as removing slave labor from supply chains around the world. Discussions on free trade are likely to begin, but cannot be formally negotiated until the UK leaves the EU.
· What is the effect of “Brexit” on France and Germany where elections will soon take place? The UN Security Council does not have a view here. However, it’s clear that the next two years will be of vital importance. The EU will be shaped by the direction of the UK’s negotiations in which France and Germany are likely to play key roles. If the UK is punished for leaving, it may reflect poorly in other EU
Left to right: Bob Garrett, Managing Partner - New York Office, KPMG Ambassador Matthew Rycroft Wendy Mendenhall, Managing Director, BritishAmerican Business