Tag: First Minister

Auld Alliance: now Nicola’s off to Paris

Trade links highlighted during Paris visit  

Steps to increase trade with Scotland’s third largest export market will be progressed by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a two-day visit to France this week.

The First Minister will a lead a delegation of technology companies who will showcase their products and services to French partners, academics and customers in Paris.

Latest figures show France is Scotland’s third largest international export market worth an estimated £2.4 billion to the Scottish economy.

During the visit the First Minister will address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament on Tuesday, meet Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau and officially open the Scottish Government’s France Hub.

The First Minister said: “The relationship between Scotland and France is one of the oldest in the world.

“France is our third largest export market and French-based firms play a key part in our economy, with investments in financial services and our food and drink industry.

“By promoting trade and investment, and officially launching our new hub in Paris, the Scottish Government is working to show Scotland is open for business and an attractive place to invest, visit, work and live.

“Despite the challenges we face as a result of Brexit the Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to show the world that we are an open and outward looking country.”

 

First Minister appointed UN Women Global Advocate

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been appointed the inaugural #HeForShe Global Advocate by UN Women, with the Scottish Government becoming signatories to the UN Women’s global solidarity movement for gender equality which engages men and boys as advocates for equality.

As a Global Advocate, the First Minister has pledged to make concrete commitments to advancing gender equality around the world and support UN Women in their work to end global gender inequality.

The announcement was made during a meeting with the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in New York.

The First Minister also announced a new pilot project to reduce rates of early and child marriage in rural areas of Malawi as part of a further Scottish Government partnership with UN Women.

She confirmed funding of £113,000 for the UN Women Malawi project ‘WeLearn – A Virtual Skills School Pilot’ as part of her North America programme.

The project will empower young women and girls with information, skills and support networks to reduce social and economic isolation. It will also educate the wider community, and members of both sexes, about gender inequalities and the damaging impact child marriage has on a young person’s education.

The First Minister said: “Progressing gender equality supports a basic human right and will help people flourish and reach their full potential, which will ultimately create a wealthier and fairer society.”

“Gender equality and a commitment to education are fundamental shared values. I want to ensure Scotland is a good global citizen, supporting the UN’s Goals both at home and in our partner countries, including Malawi.

“Malawi has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, mostly affecting girls with less education and in rural areas. The Scottish Government will do everything we can to tackle the injustices and hardships faced by many young girls and women around the globe.

“The Scottish Government has signed up to the UN’s #HeForShe campaign because it is vital we continue to make progress with gender equality. I am honoured to have been asked to be their first Global Advocate.”

UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: “It is my honour to announce today Her Excellency Ms. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, as an inaugural HeForShe Global Advocate for Gender Equality. The First Minister is already leading the way in her own government with a gender balanced cabinet. 

“So, she is in a unique position to now galvanize the men and boys of Scotland to further advance gender equality, with a strong focus on youth. UN Women is delighted to partner with the First Minister to drive meaningful, lasting change and a more equal world for all.”

First Minister’s Christmas message

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has wished everyone in Scotland a very Merry Christmas and expressed her thanks to emergency services and NHS staff who are working over the festive period.

New taskforce to lead on Human Rights

A taskforce will be set up to take forward recommendations from the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership.
The announcement was made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Human Rights Day, as the group published their final report, with seven recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in building a rights-based society.
Welcoming the report and its ambition for Scotland, the First Minister said: “I set up the Advisory Group to offer advice on how we can further enhance human rights, as I wanted to ensure Brexit does not harm human rights in Scotland and that we remain in step with future advances in EU human rights. I also asked for recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in respecting and enhancing human rights.
“I share the ambition in this report that Scotland should introduce a human rights statutory framework and I support their recommendation that this should be done through public engagement, working across the public sector, civic society and parliament. As a first step I will establish a National Taskforce, early in 2019, to progress these plans.
“It is fitting that the report is published as we celebrate Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. I would like to thank Professor Alan Miller and all members of the group for their work and hope they continue to support efforts to deliver the human rights that will improve lives.”
The full report can be found below and is available online.

First-Ministers-Advisory-Group-on-Human-Rights-Leadership-Final-report-for-publication

May tells Sturgeon: “Listen to the voices”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged Prime Minister Theresa May to change course to avoid an “utterly disastrous” no-deal Brexit if the Prime Minister’s plans are rejected by MPs in a crunch vote on 11 December – but Theresa May says the First Minister should listen to Scotland’s business leaders. Continue reading May tells Sturgeon: “Listen to the voices”

Remembrance Day service: Scotland says thank you

Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, was joined by the Right Honourable Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland, and fellow politicians, as well as members of the Armed Forces community, for a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance to mark Remembrance Sunday and 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that would lead to the end of the First World War. Continue reading Remembrance Day service: Scotland says thank you