AQW 46460/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/05/2026
Answered On Date: 17/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how the work of public servants working on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive abroad can be assessed, in the absence of a current International Relations Strategy.

Answer:

Our overseas offices play a key role in the delivery of our Programme for Government.

In the past year, in addition to providing early insights into emerging policy and market developments across the world’s largest economies, our overseas offices have supported multiple Ministerial, senior official and stakeholder visits to the US, Canada and Brussels.

They have also hosted targeted events to build our reputation as a great place to live, work and invest across Europe, North America and China – ensuring that we are best placed to avail of economic and educational opportunities, influence developing policy and offset challenges faced by emerging global issues.

Looking forward, our overseas offices are focused on making crucial connections between our sectoral leaders and their global counterparts, building increasing awareness of our talents and strengths and seeking opportunities to develop relationships with emerging leaders and markets.