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Foreign Relations

Asked by Mr Joshua ReynoldsLiberal DemocratForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 16 December 2024UIN 18839

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his definition is of progressive realism; and what steps he is taking to implement a progressive realist foreign policy.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds

In his article in Foreign Affairs (April 2024), the Foreign Secretary defined progressive realism as "using realist means to pursue progressive ends". He is clear that this approach will underpin FCDO policies and will require using all the tools at our disposal: economic, diplomatic and societal. In his Kew speech (September 2024), he set out what this means in the specific context of the climate crisis - engaging collaboratively to deliver an ambitious COP29 agreement as we did ensuring genuine partnerships are at the cornerstone of our foreign policy.

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