MY Ministerial role offers me many exciting opportunities, and this week I have been privileged to attend the United Nations General Assembly and the events happening in parallel at New York Climate Week.

The UN is such a key part of modern history, founded in 1945 in the wake of the Second World War, to promote peace and co-operation around the world. The UK played a key role in setting it up, and holds one of five permanent positions on the Security Council, and continues to be hugely influential in shaping how the world moves forward through the 21st century. It brings together a vast range of different nationalities and experts to discuss how we can work together to address the key global issues that the world faces today, from economic growth and international diplomacy, to refugees and climate change.

Having lived here for so many years, New York is still one of my favourite places to be, and being here during the UNGA is such an experience – much of the city is shut down, with NYC police officers bellowing directions at everyone, including the senior world leaders racing to reach their meetings!

But whilst we are stuck on the sidewalks, President Trump is travelling around in what is affectionately referred to as ‘The Beast’– an eight-ton armour-plated Cadillac, which when it last came to the UK with former President Obama was so large it got stuck in Downing Street!

I am representing the Government in various ways this week in my role as Minister for Climate Change and Industry, and have been proud to communicate our excellent track record in both growing the economy and decarbonising our activities.

Since 1990 we have done more in both areas than any other G7 country and we are seen as a global leader with our actions – as well as launching new policies like the creation of a Green Finance Initiative to build on Britain’s world-leading position in financial services and develop new forms of financial innovation.

As well as discussing climate change I was also part of the UK delegation listening to President Trump’s first speech to the UN, which had some uncomfortable edges for many in the room who have got used to a more emollient form of US diplomacy. But the UN provides the forum for world leaders to have these conversations face to face, and as Winston Churchill said: jaw jaw is always better than war war.