Bond reaction to appointment of Special Envoys on Global Finance and Women and Girls

Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:

“We strongly welcome news of the appointment of Gordon Brown as Special Envoy for Global Finance and Harriet Harman as Special Envoy for Women and Girls to the UK Government, announced today by the Prime Minister.

The role of Special Envoy for Global Finance presents a critical opportunity to broaden the UK’s ambition to lead on much-needed reforms to an international financial system that currently does not work for the majority. By supporting reforms to challenges such as unsustainable debt, corporate tax avoidance, illicit financial flows and unfair trade rules, Gordon Brown and the UK government could play a valuable role in tackling this injustice and giving Majority World countries the space they need to achieve their own development goals. These reforms would also benefit the UK at no cost to the ordinary UK taxpayer.

As violence against women and girls is increasing around the world, made even more severe by broad international aid cuts that have gutted programmes that support gender equality, the appointment of a Special Envoy on Women and Girls is critical for championing the safety and rights of women worldwide.

Ahead of the UK’s G20 presidency, next year, the appointment of the Special Envoys signals a welcome commitment to mainstreaming important discussions around global financial reforms and tackling violence against women and girls, on the global stage. Now, this ambition must be matched by action.”

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

1. For further information or interviews, please contact Emily Loynes on [email protected] or 07909947850