In her first full week in the role, the UK’s new home secretary, Priti Patel is coordinating a strategic summit with her counterparts from the so-called ‘Five Eyes’ countries – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK – to agree joint action in countering current and emerging security threats.

Over the next two days, discussions will focus on the theme of emerging threats and how best to address the opportunities and risks that new technologies pose. Among other topics, ministers will discuss cyber security, encryption and online harms. They will also consider a joint approach to respond to the continued threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters and how best to work together to bolster border security.

Patel said: “This is an exciting moment for the UK as we look to respond to a challenging and rapidly changing global environment, strengthening our influence on the world stage to promote our prosperity and security.

“The UK is a global leader on national security and child protection and we are committed to working with our close partners on shared challenges.”

Since its inception in 2013, the annual Five Country Ministerial, has developed from an intelligence sharing alliance to a private ministerial-led meeting where pressing shared national security threats are discussed. Achievements to date include supporting the establishment of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, the expansion of information sharing on border, immigration and security matters, and the strengthening of measures to combat modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.

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