UK Soft Power Council, 15 January 2025: abridged minutes
Published 28 February 2025
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Welcome, opening remarks and introductions
The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport welcomed all participants to the first meeting of the Soft Power Council. They highlighted the remarkable achievements of British soft power sectors and what the UK offers to the world.
Taking a hard-nosed approach to soft power
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) officials presented an overview of data gathered to date.
Plenary discussion
The Council discussed the range of soft power assets that the UK has at its disposal and ways cross-sectoral working can further UK interests abroad. The group discussed working groups to advance activity on targeted areas and key events in the foreign policy and soft power calendars to focus on for greatest impact.
Summary and next steps
The Foreign Secretary thanked the group for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. The group agreed to convene working groups and report on progress at the next Soft Power Council meeting.