UK High Commissioner, National Assembly Speaker review parliamentary, business ties.

He was speaking in Yaounde on Monday, June 15, shortly after an audience with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Théodore Datouo.

Both personalities used the audience to review the state of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Cameroon and explore fresh areas to strengthen cooperation.

Discussions also touched on parliamentary diplomacy, business partnerships and joint efforts to protect the Congo Basin Forest.

Speaking to reporters shortly after talks with House Speaker, Matt Woods said they shared similar views on the future of the relations and agreed on the need to move beyond its historical foundations. 

According to the British diplomat, the audience provided an opportunity to review the bilateral partnership and identify areas where cooperation could be expanded.

“Not only is it important to talk about the historic and symbolic nature of the bilateral relationship, but it's really important to make sure that we're talking about that today and how we can advance and deepen that relationship and create jobs and growth in both of our countries,” Matt Woods said.

He added that discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including economic cooperation and stronger engagement between institutions in both countries. 

According to the diplomat, increased exchanges between citizens, parliamentarians and businesses could contribute to building a more dynamic partnership.

The High Commissioner further revealed that another key area of discussion was climate action and the protection of the Congo Basin Forest, one of the world's largest tropical forest ecosystems. 

He explained that both sides agreed on the importance of developing economic alternatives for communities living in and around forest areas, while supporting environmental conservation.

“What we need to do together is to make sure that people that live in and around the forest areas have alternatives to cutting down those forests and that we can find ways of creating jobs, agricultural transformation and so on which benefit not only Cameroon but also the region, Sub-Saharan Africa and the world,” Matt Woods said.

Quizzed if discussions had addressed cooperation between legislators, the High Commissioner confirmed that both parties explored ways of strengthening parliamentary exchanges. 

He said attention was given to an existing group of friends within the Cameroon Parliament and how it could be revitalised to support closer collaboration between lawmakers from both countries.

The High Commissioner concluded by calling on the public to visit the United Kingdom Pavilion at the ongoing PROMOTE trade fair, where British companies are showcasing their activities and investment interests.

On his part, the House Speaker reaffirmed Parliament’s role in driving national development and welcomed stronger cooperation with the United Kingdom. 

He also encouraged increased UK investment in key sectors, including infrastructure and finance. Datouo further instructed the Cameroon-Great Britain Parliamentary Friendship Group to engage in working sessions with the British High Commission and envisaged a special plenary session on climate change awareness.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3819 of Tuesday June 16, 2026