The Welsh First Minister intends to urge the UK Prime Minister to establish a new economic partnership between Cardiff and Westminster during discussions scheduled for later this month at the National Economic Council.
Rhun ap Iorwerth is expected to present the proposal during an address at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre on Thursday evening.
The speech will set out his vision for what he describes as a practical agreement focused on economic growth and collaborative working between the two administrations.
According to remarks prepared for delivery, the First Minister will request that the Prime Minister commit to a fresh partnership for growth between the devolved and UK governments.
The proposed arrangement would establish a practical framework governing how both administrations cooperate to unlock Wales’ economic potential.
It would also confirm that mutual respect underpins the relationship between Cardiff and London.
The Welsh leader’s comments indicate the agreement would include commitments from his administration to engage constructively with the UK Government to capitalise on growth opportunities.
In exchange, expectations exist that Westminster acknowledges the authority of the Welsh Government over decisions regarding how devolved powers are exercised.
Ahead of the address, Mr ap Iorwerth identified several priority sectors offering significant potential for collaboration, including floating offshore wind energy projects, the long-term future of Welsh steel production, expansion of port infrastructure, and advancement in artificial intelligence and digital technology sectors.
According to his prepared remarks, each of these areas demands coordinated action from both governments.
The First Minister also advocated for reducing duplication of effort between the Welsh and UK administrations, suggesting both should concentrate resources on unlocking opportunities, supporting investment and delivering growth across all regions of their respective territories.
During the same engagement, Mr ap Iorwerth confirmed the Welsh Government would publish a Green Paper examining how local and regional powers are administered within Wales before the current Senedd term concludes.
He characterised this initiative as a joint undertaking aimed at establishing a fresh regional framework and developing a distinctly Welsh approach to regional collaboration.