The UK is set to appoint a tech envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, its second appointment to a role of this nature after it appointed an envoy to the US in 2020.
James Cleverly, the UK’s foreign secretary, is set to make the announcement on 1 March. This will be the UK’s first tech envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, with the role geared towards strengthening the nation’s ties to India.
The envoy will work with partners in the region, in areas like setting global technology standards and using innovative tech to solve challenges.
The government is hoping this new role will help better present the UK as a science and tech superpower. It also wants to underline its commitment to forging partnerships in India and South Asia.
The announcement from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) highlighted the fact that India has the world’s third-highest number of tech unicorns and startups, making it a promising region for tapping future partnerships and skills.
“India is also an emerging global leader on technology and there are immense opportunities for better collaboration between us in this sector,” said Cleverly. “That is why we will be sending our first tech envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, to maximise the tech expertise of both countries.”
RELATED RESOURCE
Sustainability and TCO: Building a more power-efficient business
Sustainable thinking is good for the planet and society, and your brand
Cleverly is set to meet India’s external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, which is looking to improve defence, security, trade, and investment between the two countries.
The foreign secretary will also open the Young Professionals Scheme, a partnership between the two nations which allows 3,000 UK citizens and 3,000 Indian citizens to live and work in the other country for two years.
The UK is also set to reaffirm its commitment to forge a free trade agreement with India. The UK-India trade relationship is worth around £34 billion, the FCDO said.
Joe White was named the UK's first tech envoy, devoted to the US in 2020, a role that was merged with the appointment of Her Majesty's Consul-General to San Francisco.
White was set to lead the consulate as well as support the UK’s ambassador to the US when it came to areas like technology and entrepreneurship.
-
Palo Alto Networks snaps up CyberArk in identity security pushNews The acquisition marks the latest in a string for Palo Alto Networks
-
Stack Overflow CEO Prashanth Chandrasekar on embracing AIQ&A The chief executive at the well-known developer resource Stack Overflow talks future strategy and how AI has forced the company to shift its focus
-
Intel makes high-level hires while factory workers are warned of layoffsNews The company is appointing four senior executives as part of efforts to refocus on engineering and customer relationships
-
UiPath names Simon Pettit as new AVP for UK and IrelandNews The seasoned leader will spearhead region-specific transformation projects as UiPath looks to drive operational growth and customer engagement
-
How to empower employees to accelerate emissions reductionin depth With ICT accounting for as much as 3% of global carbon emissions, the same as aviation, the industry needs to increase emissions reduction
-
Worldwide IT spending to grow 4.3% in 2023, with no significant AI impactNews Spending patterns have changed as companies take an inward focus
-
Report: Female tech workers disproportionately affected by industry layoffsNews Layoffs continue to strike companies throughout the tech industry, with data showing females in both the UK and US are bearing the brunt of them more so than males
-
How can small businesses cope with inflation?Tutorial With high inflation increasing the cost of doing business, how can small businesses weather the storm?
-
How to deal with inflation while undergoing digital transformationIn-depth How can organizations stave off inflation while attempting to grow by digitally transforming their businesses?
-
How businesses can use technology to fight inflation
TUTORIAL While technology can’t provide all the answers to fight rising inflation, it can help ease the pain on businesses in the long term
