News

On Tuesday 10 June, CWEIC and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) co-hosted a Soft Power Workshop at the FCDO’s King Charles Street. The session brought together experts from across the Commonwealth, including academia, government, and the private sector, to explore how standards and assurance frameworks underpin trust, unlock economic opportunity, and strengthen the UK’s soft power globally.

The discussion focused on how international standards—voluntary but powerful tools—can reduce barriers to trade, enhance regulatory alignment, and support shared prosperity across Commonwealth markets. Participants highlighted the importance of ensuring these standards reflect the realities of emerging economies, not just those of global powers. Programmes like the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) and the FCDO’s Standards Partnership were recognised as vital platforms for capacity building in countries without accreditation bodies.

Particular attention was paid to the role of standards in emerging technologies such as AI and fintech. The UK’s reputation for integrity and trusted institutions, especially in financial services, was noted as a global asset—but panellists stressed the need to engage more voices from across the Commonwealth to remain relevant and inclusive.

The workshop also emphasised the critical role of professional and chartered standards, higher education, and knowledge exchange in building long-term trust and fostering globally competitive workforces.

As one speaker noted, “Standards are more than technical tools—they are a system of trust that binds global economies.” This session marked an important step in keeping the Commonwealth at the forefront of shaping inclusive, future-ready frameworks for international cooperation and growth.

We extend our sincere thanks to Catriona Laing CB, Senior Responsible Officer for Soft Power at the FCDO, for her opening remarks and leadership in advancing the UK’s soft power agenda. We are also grateful to our session chairs, Richard Lee-Smith, International Policy Manager at BSI, and Richard Collin, External Affairs Director at UKAS, for their expert facilitation of the discussions and valuable contributions to the day’s proceedings. We look forward to continuing our work with the FCDO to ensure Commonwealth perspectives on standards and their role in soft power are fully reflected.