Addressing stigma, discrimination and criminalisation is critical to ensuring equality of access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services and to achieving progress in the global HIV response.

The UK is a champion of human rights around the world and we are committed to the principle of non-discrimination on any grounds, including on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The UK's network of over 280 Diplomatic Missions monitor human rights in host countries.

At the UN High Level Meeting on HIV in June 2021, the UK worked hard to secure the highest level of commitment from our global partners and garner support for the ambitious, rights-based Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026, so the world has the best chance of meeting the 2030 goal to end AIDS. We also endorse the Global Fund's 2023-2028 Strategy, with a focus on addressing inequities and structural drivers of HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths including barriers to services due to stigma, discrimination and criminalisation.

Our funding to the Robert Carr Fund and to UNAIDS helps to support legal and policy reform to combat stigma, discrimination and criminalisation, and to improve access to HIV services for those most at risk, as well as supporting civil society and grassroots organisations to challenge harmful policies and attitudes that exclude minorities and put them at greater risk of HIV infection and increase access to services for these groups.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states. It is for the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat to take forward expressions of interest and to assess whether an aspirant member meets the eligibility criteria for membership. The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for Somalia and Somaliland to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states. It is for the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat to take forward expressions of interest and to assess whether an aspirant member meets the eligibility criteria for membership. The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for Somalia and Somaliland to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states. It is for the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat to take forward expressions of interest and to assess whether an aspirant member meets the eligibility criteria for membership. The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for Somalia and Somaliland to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states. It is for the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat to take forward expressions of interest and to assess whether an aspirant member meets the eligibility criteria for membership. The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for Somalia and Somaliland to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.

The UK is disappointed that Ghana's Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. If enacted, it would further criminalise consensual same-sex relationships and undermine the human rights and freedoms of those perceived as being a member of, or an ally to, the LGBT+ community. The UK routinely encourages Ghana to confirm its opposition to all forms of discrimination and uphold the human rights provisions enshrined in Ghana's Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the principles of both the African and Commonwealth Charters. The Foreign Secretary, Ministers and senior officials have expressed these concerns, including during my [Minister Andrew Mitchell] visit to Ghana in February 2024 and my meeting with the Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK in March. We continue to consider our response in the event that the Bill is granted assent.

The Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala took place over 15-20 January and was attended by the Commonwealth Secretary General. Many issues of significance to the Commonwealth were tabled at this forum, such as the need for urgent action to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and human rights. The UK is working with the countries in this important grouping, as well as with the Commonwealth Secretariat, to make progress on these and other issues.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his Commonwealth counterparts on the proposed readmittance of Zimbabwe to the Commonwealth.

Given the recent enlargement of the Commonwealth, the matters that the Minister referred to are important. More than 100,000 Zimbabweans live in the UK, many in south Wales, and thousands work all year round in our NHS. What engagement has the Minister had with the Zimbabwean diaspora to understand the diversity of perspectives and to support their views about Commonwealth membership and other challenges and issues that they face?

I regularly discuss a broad range of issues, including Zimbabwe, with Commonwealth counterparts, most recently on Sunday in Dubai when I met the Commonwealth secretary-general, Baroness Scotland. The decision on re-entry is for all members, based on the membership requirements and the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth charter.

The Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office has not had any discussions with the Commonwealth Secretariat regarding Mr Nnamdi Kanu's case. Ministers and officials have raised Nnamdi Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, and will continue to do so. The British High Commissioner in Abuja most recently raised his case with the Nigerian Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi on 24 October.

The UK is deeply committed to the Commonwealth. We provide significant bilateral aid to Commonwealth countries, totalling over £608 million in 2022. We continue to support a range of Commonwealth initiatives, as the largest donor to many Commonwealth inter-governmental organisations. Our focus is on increasing intra-Commonwealth trade & investment, building resilience to climate change and promoting our shared values.

The UK Government continues to drive efforts to eradicate all forms of modern slavery in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. We work closely with international partners including the UN, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Commonwealth. FCDO officials regularly meet with Commonwealth Secretariat representatives and other Commonwealth partners to discuss a range of issues including modern slavery. The UK is supporting a project with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK to improve awareness and knowledge of modern slavery in supply chains amongst Commonwealth parliamentarians and parliamentary officials across Africa. I have frequent discussions with the Commonwealth Secretary-General on matters of mutual interest.

The UK echoes the African Union's condemnation of the unconstitutional military takeover of power in Gabon and calls for the restoration of constitutional government, in line with the Commonwealth Charter.

I have held discussions with African counterparts on recent political events in Gabon during my recent visit to Rwanda and Kenya. I have also spoken with the Commonwealth Secretary-General about the situation. UK officials are closely monitoring the situation and working closely with Commonwealth partners on next steps.

The decision on whether Zimbabwe re-joins the Commonwealth is for all Commonwealth members. We recognise the value of having Zimbabwe back in the Commonwealth, but any re-entry would need to be on the basis that Zimbabwe meets admission requirements and is able to uphold the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth Charter. Zimbabwe's General Elections this August present a clear opportunity for the Government to demonstrate progress against the principles of the Charter, namely respect for human rights and freedom for the political opposition, civil society and media to operate.

The decision on whether Zimbabwe re-joins the Commonwealth is for all Commonwealth members. We recognise the value of having Zimbabwe back in the Commonwealth, but any re-entry would need to be on the basis that Zimbabwe was meeting admission requirements and able to uphold the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth Charter. Zimbabwe's General Elections this year present a clear opportunity for the Government to demonstrate progress against the principles of the Charter, namely respect for human rights and freedom for the political opposition, civil society and media to operate.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary partnership of 56 equal member countries, with common values and shared aspirations. Decisions on membership are made by consensus by all member states. There is a clear process for those who wish to join the Commonwealth, managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat in consultation with member states. Prospective members are considered against the criteria for membership, for example, in areas relating to human rights and good governance.

As a close friend of Sierra Leone, the UK holds regular, frank discussions with senior government interlocutors, international partners, and other key stakeholders, on good governance, the rule of law and stability, and the importance of a free, fair election in 2023. We condemn acts of political violence and urge all to work collaboratively to reduce tensions. I spoke with the President of Sierra Leone in London on 22 November 2022 about the importance of the upcoming election and Sierra Leone's democratic process. I [Minister Mitchell] reiterated this message in a meeting with the Minister of Basic and Senior Education at the PSVI conference on 28 November.

As set out in our International Development Strategy the UK is committed to providing women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed, unlocking their future potential, educating girls, supporting their empowerment and protecting them against violence.

The FCDO works closely with EU and Commonwealth counterparts at all levels to progress gender equality both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. For instance, the G7 2022 Communique makes multiple references to progressing gender equality and supporting the empowerment of women and girls. At the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Leaders adopted a Declaration for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women 2022-2030.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/g7-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-germany-2022-communique/g7-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-germany-2022-communique

https://thecommonwealth.org/our-work/gender

The UK Government supports environmentally friendly development in Gabon through our Forests, Governance, Markets and Climate programme. This supports the implementation of national forest governance reforms prioritised by the Government of Gabon, including the sustainable growth of the forest sector, traceability and transparency systems to ensure legality and sustainability, and strengthening multi stakeholder capacity in-country to follow up on the reform process. We are actively considering further work in the country, including through the new Biodiverse Landscapes Fund.

Environmentally sustainable development is a priority for the UK Government and across the Commonwealth we are delivering this through a wide portfolio of programmes. Our contributions to multilateral institutions focused on the environment and development, such as the Central African Forests Initiative, the Global Environment Facility, and the Green Climate Fund, are an important part of this effort.