The Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli, will call for the preservation of international standards in the face of growing geopolitical tensions, at an annual gathering of top-level diplomats at the Mansion House tonight.
Speaking at the Easter Banquet alongside the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, the Lord Mayor reiterated the ’s desire to continue to work with the international community to maintain and create international standards in areas like AI and net zero that provide stability and security against a challenging geopolitical backdrop.
The annual Easter Banquet will bring together Ambassadors, High Commissioners and high-level political figures. Keynote speeches on foreign policy will also be delivered by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
An extract from the Lord Mayor’s speech is found below.
“Cities thrive when the world is open to trade and commerce. And trade and commerce are made possible by standards that smooth the way.
“A world ordered for decades by globalization and geoeconomics has quickly become a world grounded in geopolitical risk.
“The Israel-Hamas conflict grinds on. Despite de-escalation, tensions between Iran and Israel remain high. The Russo-Ukrainian war has entered its 805th day. African conflicts have displaced more than 40 million people. And cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, more severe, and are increasingly being used as a tool of statecraft.
“In an unstable world, international standards define what great looks like…setting consistent benchmarks for businesses and consumers alike that ensure reliability, build trust, and simplify choices.
“By codifying the latest technology and distilling the wisdom of experts from around the world, standards represent the very best of human innovation and knowledge.
“They make all our lives easier and safer…make trade between countries simpler and fairer…and act as a vehicle for change – guiding businesses in adopting sustainable and ethical practices that make our world a better place.
“My mayoral theme, “Connect To Prosper”, is about reigniting that coffee house culture and leveraging the power of the City’s many connections…including our connections with our international partners…to take on the big challenges facing the world today. And standards sit at the heart of this.
“In a world of mis/disinformation, we are seeing what happens when standards start to slip.
“I believe that, working alongside you all, the has a role to play in maintaining and creating international standards that offer stability and security and put us a step closer to achieving our shared goals.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK.
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