LONDON, Feb. 2 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Foreign Secretary says UK must increase international partnerships with sourceand transit countries to tackle the drivers of migration and accelerate returns * follows changing patterns in small boat arrivals, with an increasing proportion oftotal arrivals across the Channel and across the Mediterranean coming from theHorn of Africa * new co-operation includes job creation partnerships backed by UK investment to tacklethe economic drivers of illegal migration as well as stronger partnerships totackle criminal smuggler gangs in the Horn of Africa, and speeding up returns * modern partnerships are at the heart of the UK's new Africa Approach, unlockinggrowth, investment, and opportunities on both sides

The UK is deepening its partnerships across Africa to tackle the factors that drivepeople into the hands of smuggling gangs - following the Horn of Africa becoming akey source region for illegal migration towards the UK, with around 30% of smallboat arrivals over the past 2 years being nationals from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somaliaand Sudan.

On her first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper will set outhow she is strengthening FCDO action to tackle illegal migration - increasingprevention, law enforcement and returns along key routes.

She will meet telecoms firm Safaricom, backed by a British consortium including includingand British International Investment (BII). They are one of the UK-supported companies who are increasing opportunities for Ethiopians to findwork at home, support themselves and contribute to their economy, rather thanmaking the long and dangerous journey to seek a new life overseas.

On her visit, the Foreign Secretary will put job creation at the heart of this effort - cuttingoff push factors driving people to migrate. She will sign a JointDevelopment Agreement to take forward 2 energy transmission projects totallingover $400 million developed by Gridworks - a British International Investment company that delivers UK investment across Africa.

This will cement the UK's position as one of Ethiopia's most trusted economic partnerships, positioning the UK as a key partner on COP32 which will take place in Ethiopia in 2027, the same year that the UK chairs the G20. She will also sign a MoUwith the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance on the Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility II(EIAF2), the UK's flagship economic partnership with Ethiopia.

The Foreign Secretary will also set out the work that the UK is doing to strengthen cooperation with the Ethiopian authorities to tackle the brokers and criminal gangs organising illegal migration from the Horn of Africa into Europe and the UK, and tospeed up the return of Ethiopian nationals with no right to stay in the UK.

This partnership includes Border Security Command funding and support forEthiopian law-enforcement agencies to help them carry out moreeffective investigations and improve information-sharing on criminal networks andtheir activities.

As part of the visit the Foreign Secretary will also be discussing greater cooperationwith the African Union along with African foreign ministers on conflict prevention and resolution across theregion to prevent people being forced to leave their homes bywar and persecution.

The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

We are forging new partnerships with countries acrossAfrica anddelivering long term solutions. We areworking together to tackle the economic drivers of illegal migration and thecriminal gangs who operate globally, profiting from trading in people.

That includes new partnerships to improve trade and create thousands ofgood jobs in Ethiopia so people can find a better life back home instead ofmaking perilous journeys

And it means new law enforcement cooperation between the Ethiopianauthorities and the UK National Crime Agency to disrupt and dismantle thecriminal networks who exploit vulnerable people and put their lives at risk.This follows a rising trend of organised people smuggling from the Horn ofAfrica towards the UK.

Criminal smuggler gangs operate across borders around the world - so weare working together with countries right along the transit routes. Thiscooperation in Africa follows new partnerships with countries like Iraq, theBalkan states and Europe.

The Foreign office is making international partnerships to tackle illegal migration a major priority because the partnerships webuild abroad are crucial to making us stronger back at home.

In meetings with the Ethiopian Government, the Foreign Secretarydiscussed the important role which Ethiopia can play in resolving regionalsecurity challenges peacefully and diplomatically.

With conflict in the Horn of Africa displacing millions of people, and acting as afurther driver of illegal migration, the Foreign Secretary has emphasised throughouther visit that achieving regional stability and sustainable growth in the region iscrucial to reduce migratory pressures from Africa into Europe.

The Government's recently published Africa Approach sets out a vision for modern partnerships between the UK and a continent of growth, ambition, and opportunity.From trade and investment to security and stability, these partnerships are intendedto build shared prosperity, back African leadership and create the conditions forbusiness and growth on both sides.

Additional information

In Ethiopia, the Foreign Secretary will also announce:

* £5 million of humanitarian funding to tackle violence against women and girls,particularly in conflict-affected areas. This will reach approximately 110,000people * £4 million funding for UNICEF for life saving assistance to 68,000 children with SevereAcute Malnutrition * £8 million funding towards ICRC's annual appeal, ensuring access to clean water for62,500 displaced people, increasing food production for 40,000 people, andsupporting 4 medical centres, 5 hospitals, and 1 centre for violence against women and girls (VAWG) services

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.