The UK Government has launched the International Technology Strategy, a cross-government strategy setting out its approach for technology leadership on the global stage, in London, United Kingdom.
The Strategy sets out the work being done to build partnerships, and also work with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD Global Forum on Technology to engage with the international community on how to better use technology.
It will also build on the UK’s success in securing a seat on the Council of the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, working together with partners to increase worldwide connectivity, and provide clear leadership in the telecoms sector.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, said that International Tech Strategy would boost growth in the sector, strengthening UK’s position on the world stage.
He said it would also forge long-term links that would promote the UK as place for investment and collaboration in the technologies of the future.
“Now more than ever, it is important that the UK steps up to promote British tech excellence worldwide and take a stand against the malign influences that seek to use tech against us. That is why we’ve announced this strategy, helping to deliver on our ambition to be a tech superpower by 2030, backing UK businesses and helping us solve the challenges of tomorrow through innovation and international collaboration,” he said.
International Partnership
The UK government will work closely with governments, academia and industry to leverage the UK’s world-leading strengths in technology through international partnerships with established and emerging science and technology powerhouse nations.
Speaking on this, UK’s Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan said that the UK would build on the strength of the tech sector, which is the largest in Europe and the third highest valued in the world after the USA and China.
“We are a top-class breeding ground for emerging tech, but being a superpower means working with our international partners to turn these nascent technologies into global industries. Our International Tech Strategy will ensure we deepen collaboration with our allies on the technologies of tomorrow, driving growth and prosperity for the UK while strengthening our national security,” Donelan said.
Donelan added that ‘‘our first tech envoy, Joe White, has helped to boost our ties with tech companies in Silicon Valley. Building on this success, the UK will expand our network of tech envoys and expertise to create the world’s most extensive tech diplomacy network. We will use this as a platform to enforce our principles, challenge authoritarian narratives and to drive international collaboration with industry.
“Envoys will bring expertise from the tech sector, ensuring that they can put their lived experience of this industry into boosting the UK’s global leadership.”
The UK Science and Technology Framework has set out the ambition for the UK to be internationally recognised as a tech superpower by 2030.
The International Technology Strategy sets out the UK’s alternative, which is guided by four principles – to be open, responsible, secure and resilient – will shape the future of technology in a way that promotes its use positively, and drives innovation and UK tech leadership, while boosting our security from new and emerging threats.
Start-Up Bill
In another development, the UK Government through its Africa Technology and Innovation Partnership, ATIP programme and the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub has supported the Nigeria Start-up Bill.
This support funded engagement of relevant stakeholders across the country through town hall meetings and also provided access to research and evidence on existing opportunities for start-ups and
This work directly led to the formulation of a Nigeria Start-Up Bill which ensures that Nigeria’s laws and regulations for start-ups are clear and work for the ecosystem.
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