Prime Minister to tell UN General Assembly: I will lead a new Britain for a new era

Prime Minister Liz Truss will speak in New York today (Wednesday) to warn other democratic leaders against any complacency when it comes to defending our values ​​and preserving a world order that rewards freedom.

At the first-ever session of the UN General Assembly, held in the shadow of a large-scale war of aggression in Europe, the Prime Minister will highlight the threat posed by authoritarian states seeking to undermine security and stability around the world.

She will outline her vision for this new, more competitive era that will require like-minded democracies to fight to defend our ideals. This struggle starts with ensuring that Britain and its partners have the strong economic foundations needed to contain authoritarianism.

The Prime Minister will outline his plans to build a British economy that attracts growth by rewarding innovation, supporting investment and entrepreneurship and welcoming the best talent from around the world.

She will also outline the steps the government is taking to ensure the UK economy is not disrupted. This includes increasing our energy independence and ensuring the security of our supply chains.

In his speech, the Prime Minister is expected to say:

A commitment to hope and progress must begin at home—in the lives of every citizen we serve…

…We want people to keep more of the money they earn because we believe that freedom trumps instructions…

…We are reforming our economy to get Britain moving forward again. The free world needs this economic strength and resilience to resist authoritarian aggression and prevail in this new era of strategic competition….

… We will no longer be strategically dependent on those who seek to weaponize the global economy.

As Britain increases the dynamism and resilience of our own economy, the Prime Minister will also advocate for democracies to work together to protect each other’s economic security.

The power of a democratic economy, which is based on the aspirations of the people, is a clear contrast to autocratic states, which sow the seeds of their own destruction by stifling aspirations and creative potential.

The Prime Minister will advocate using this power and denying authoritarian states the ability to manipulate the world economy.

She will tell the UN General Assembly that the G7 and other like-minded partners must act as an economic NATO, collectively protecting our well-being and coming to the aid of any partner targeted by an aggressive regime.

This economic security goes hand in hand with physical security. The Prime Minister will therefore reaffirm her commitment to the defense of the UK and our allies, including by increasing defense spending to 3% of UK GDP on defense by 2030.

The Prime Minister is expected to say:

Just as we are building a growth plan for our home, we are also building a new plan for our interactions with the world.

We will build resilience and collective security – because they are vital to freedom and democracy. We will be a reliable, trustworthy and dynamic partner.

To ensure that the UK’s diplomatic, military and security architecture keeps pace with the threat posed by hostile nations, the Prime Minister has commissioned an update to the Integrated Review.

The UK’s Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review was published in March 2021 – before Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine created the biggest security challenge NATO has ever faced.

Professor John Bew, the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Defence, will lead the Downing Street process to update the review.

The renewed strategy ensures that we invest in the strategic capabilities and alliances needed to resist coercion from authoritarian powers like Russia and China. The update is expected to be released by the end of this year.

By investing appropriately in defence, the Prime Minister will ensure that the UK maintains our position as a leading security player in Europe, so that we are ready to stand up for peace, prosperity and freedom around the world – just as we did in Ukraine.

The prime minister will emphasize these efforts in his speech. She will pay tribute to the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and pledge to continue to defend human rights and democracy around the world.

The Prime Minister is expected to say:

This is a defining moment in the history of Britain, in the history of this organization and in the history of freedom.

The story of 2022 could be the story of an authoritarian state rolling tanks across the border of a peaceful neighbor and subjugating its people.

Instead, it’s a story of freedom fighting back… But it doesn’t have to be a one-off…

… Great Britain’s commitment to this is complete.

Together with our friends and allies around the world, we will continue to defend freedom, sovereignty and democracy.

And we will define this new era as one of hope and progress.