UK to host international conference to promote freedom of religion or belief next summer in London

• Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced that the conference, which will bring together international governments and religious leaders, will take place in London next July.
• The conference builds on previous ForB events in the US and Poland and will strengthen global efforts to combat the persecution.
• The Secretary of State sees ForB as an important part of the UK’s foreign policy and development agenda.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will host a Global Summit on the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in London next summer (Tuesday 5th July – Wednesday 6th July).

The summit will promote collective action to promote respect between various religious and non-religious communities around the world so that everyone, anywhere, can freely practice their own religion or belief. She will play a key role in shaping the network of freedom that Britain is building as a passionate advocate of freedom around the world.

Promoting FoRB for All is one of the UK’s longstanding human rights priorities and a key pillar of the Integrated Review of Security, Defense, Development and Foreign Policy. In February 2020, the UK co-founded the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance. Since then, the membership of the group has grown from 27 to 33 countries, and we strongly encourage more countries to join.

During 2021, the UK and our international partners made great strides to eradicate intolerance and persecution related to religious and non-religious beliefs. In May, Great Britain, under our G7 presidency, achieved the inclusion of ForB topics in the communique of the G7 foreign and development ministers’ meeting for the first time.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

I want all people everywhere to be free from discrimination and persecution, regardless of their opinion or belief. We have used our G7 presidency this year to defend and promote these fundamental freedoms, and we will build on them in the next year when we receive friends and partners from around the world.

FCDO Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad from Wimbledon said:

I am very pleased that the UK will host an international conference on freedom of religion or belief in our vibrant capital, London, next summer.

Britain continues to take all forms of human rights abuses and abuses extremely seriously, which is why we are laying the foundations for further global action to protect and promote freedom of religion and belief for all.

Real change can only be brought about through international cooperation.

Fiona Bruce MP, UK Special Representative on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) said:

As the UK’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, I wholeheartedly welcome today’s announcement regarding the UK-hosted international conference next summer here in London on the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief for All.

The conference will be a key opportunity to connect with our international partners to ensure that the rights of all people, regardless of religion or belief, are fully protected and respected, regardless of where they are in the world. without fear of prejudice or persecution.

Notes for editors:

• ForB at the United Nations. In March of this year, FCDO Minister Lord Ahmad hosted a successful Arria meeting on the sidelines of the UN Security Council on the subject of religion, belief and conflict.
• Human rights reporting. Every year the FCDO publishes an annual human rights and democracy report. Freedom of religion or belief is a central theme of this report.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-host-international-conference-to-promote-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-next-summer-in-london