Item 5 is next, a statement by the Minister for Economy on Qatar world cup engagement.

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. On 27 September, I delivered a statement outlining our planned activities to promote Wales during the FIFA men's world cup in Qatar. With the tournament now just days away, I am pleased to present a further statement setting out the latest on our approach. As discussed previously, we have four key objectives for this world cup. These are: to promote Wales; to project our values; to ensure the safety of Welsh citizens; and, to secure a positive legacy from our participation.

At this world cup, when people see Wales, they will see our values. The Welsh Government believes in fair work, women’s rights, human rights, and that all of us should be free to live as our true authentic selves. Our values form a defining element of the nation that we are proud to promote.  Our vibrancy, diversity and spirit are inextricably linked to campaigns for the advancement of hard-won rights at home and abroad. For many, the unique Welsh contribution is synonymous with collectivism and solidarity, and these principles will fuel our presence at the world cup. 

Along with other progressive nations with teams in this tournament we have raised serious concerns about workers’ rights and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar. The First Minister raised these matters directly with the Qatari ambassador to the UK. I have since written to the Qatari ambassador to the UK condemning the homophobic comments made by a Qatari world cup ambassador. Ministers continue to meet with stakeholders, including the international TUC and the Rainbow Wall fans group, to engage on these critical issues. We recognise the significance of these issues and that some fans will choose not to travel as a result. Our decisions do not in any way seek to minimise the injustices in question, and we will work to ensure that our presence leaves a positive impact.

With enormous audiences expected for the USA and England fixtures, we have an opportunity to project the values that we as a Government have been consistent on. We support the team’s commitment to wear the 'One Love' rainbow armband and commend the decision taken by those in the Wales camp to speak out on these issues in recent weeks. We are proud of the stance taken by the team. Wales is fortunate to be represented by this special group of players under Rob Page’s leadership. The FAW, players and fans are rightly looking to the Welsh Government for advice, support and leadership on these matters. We are working closely with them to help ensure that we deliver a distinctive and progressive Welsh presence at the tournament.

As we face our neighbours and sporting rivals England in the group stage, we also have a rare opportunity before a truly global audience to demonstrate clearly that Wales is a distinct nation within the UK. Earlier today, I was joined by members of Cardiff-based group Hoops and Loops while attending the final pre-world cup training session at the Cardiff City Stadium. This is an LGBTQ+ refugee and asylum seeker support group for people who have come to Wales to escape domestic violence, persecution and even the threat of death. Wales’s status as a nation of sanctuary matters. It is a core part of the values we choose to stand for. I am delighted that those who are building a new life here were able to join us as we mark this major moment in Welsh sporting history.

It is vital that the global game learns lessons from this tournament and does so urgently. With an audience of 5 billion people, we know that many of those watching the world cup will know very little, if anything, of Wales. As we introduce Wales to new audiences across the globe, we will promote an open, progressive nation and maximise opportunities to celebrate our values. Our programme of activity is now truly well under way. From Tylorstown Welfare Hall in the Rhondda Fach, Robert Page revealed his 26-player world cup squad to be led by our talisman and captain, Gareth Bale. We are in no doubt that they will give everything for the shirt and for generations of fans who thought these days may never come again. 

I am pleased to confirm four fresh additions to Tîm Cymru 22, with our new group of Welsh ambassadors. The ambassadors, under the banner of Lleisiau Cymru, are made up of a diverse mix of our voices that will promote the very best of Wales to the world. We are incredibly fortunate to have recruited Olympian, world champion and world record holder Colin Jackson, former Wales captain turned professor Laura McAllister, DJ and presenter Katie Owen, and the renowned chef Bryn Williams. As part of the wider Team Wales 22 approach, FAW ambassadors and Wales footballing legends Jess Fishlock and Ian Rush will also support our programme activities.

I have previously updated Members on the partner support fund, confirming the 19 successful projects. The work is supporting Gŵyl Cymru, a range of over 200 events celebrating arts and sport. S4C has organised a concert to take Wales to the world in New York, which took place last night and will be broadcast this weekend. The Urdd have delivered their biggest singing jamboree ever across schools, involving more than 230,000 children, and StreetGames Wales have reached out to our least well-off communities, delivering doorstep sports sites across 36 communities in Wales. This is just a snapshot of the activity that is already under way.

We're also implementing our enhanced marketing campaign, focused on target markets including the USA, key European audiences and the UK across brand, business and tourism, as well as a strong in-Wales campaign. Our activities will include a core digital marketing strand focused on tourism, as well as trade and investment markets. We are delivering activities across the world, working with Tîm Cymru 22 and through our overseas offices. We will be launching a Wales-specific art installation at the Corniche in Doha to promote Wales at the tournament. There will be Welsh content in the UK GREAT garden pavilion and festival, and a Welsh-themed reception on 21 November hosted by the British ambassador to Qatar with the First Minister as the chief guest. In the US, we are supporting a Soccer in the Circle event in Washington, a cultural stakeholder event in New York, an e-gaming event in Atlanta, and business events in Chicago and Los Angeles. 

To support our objective to promote a progressive Wales, the First Minister will attend Wales’s first group game for 64 years against the USA, and I will attend the England game. These represent the most significant opportunities for us to raise the profile of Wales, and make connections where we can share our interests and values. Welsh Ministers will not be attending the Iran game and will be supporting Wales from home. To ensure the safety and security of Welsh citizens in Qatar, we have engaged with the UK Government and with a range of Government agencies, as well as UK police forces. Regular channels of contact have continued for updates on matters of security and safety with the Qatari supreme committee, which is the committee responsible for managing the event in the country. We have also been in regular contact with the UK embassy in Qatar and His Majesty’s ambassador in the Qatar office.

To ensure that we secure a positive and lasting legacy, we will evaluate these activities in supporting the world cup to learn lessons from these interventions for future sports diplomacy opportunities. We are also committed to our investment priorities in sporting facilities here in Wales, with a capital budget of £24 million over the next three years alongside our investment in schools facilities. Dirprwy Llywydd, the Welsh Government does not underestimate the seriousness of the issues that this tournament has raised for our citizens, sporting bodies and Governments everywhere. I am pleased that our plans reinforce the values that make Wales. I am sure you’ll all join with me in wishing Robert Page and the team all of the best in this world cup—pob lwc, Cymru.

Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? The football world cup in Qatar does present us with an opportunity to showcase Wales on the international stage, and it's right that the Welsh Government is actively using the event to develop economic opportunities and to travel to the event itself. I'm also pleased to hear that the Welsh Government has raised serious concerns about workers' rights and LGBTQ+ rights with the Qatari ambassador to the UK, and that engagement is taking place with the international TUC and the Rainbow Wall fans group to engage on these very critical issues. 

The world cup provides an opportunity to promote our values. The Minister has made it clear that, to support Wales and engage in diplomacy, the First Minister will attend Wales's group game against the USA, and, indeed, the Minister will attend the England game. He also says that they will work to ensure their presence leaves a positive impact, and so in the interests of transparency, the Minister must publish the Welsh Government's spend on these trips, along with the itinerary of meetings and events that he and the First Minister will be attending. Perhaps the Minister will agree to publish the full details and costings of these trips so that we can assess whether they have delivered their intended outcomes and provided value for money for the taxpayer. 

Only last week, the Welsh Government explained that it wasn't attending COP27 because it wanted to limit its air miles, yet it seems to have no problem justifying these particular trips. So, I hope the Minister can understand the confusion over the Welsh Government's thinking here, as there will be many, many people who will want to understand why this engagement is rightly appropriate but attendance at COP27 wasn't. I hope the Minister will clarify for the record exactly what criteria the Qatar trips have met that COP27 perhaps didn't meet. 

Today's statement refers to the enhanced marketing campaign that the Welsh Government has launched in relation to the world cup, which includes a focus on targeting markets in Wales, the USA and the UK, and provides us with more details on some of the projects and activity that is taking place. The statement specifically referred to the Welsh Government's core digital marketing strand, which will focus on tourism as well as trade and investment markets. I'd be grateful if he could tell us a bit more about the digital marketing campaigns that will be taking place. Today's statement also refers to Gŵyl Cymru and the range of events taking place that celebrate our culture, arts and language. It's vital that we build off this activity for the future. Therefore, perhaps the Minister could tell us a bit more about the discussions that he's having with organisations like Amgueddfa Cymru, the mentrau iaith and the Urdd to maximise the benefits that the world cup offers Wales.

Today's statement confirms some new additions to the team of Welsh ambassadors who will be supporting the Welsh Government's programme of events. It's great to see a real mix of voices to help promote Wales to the world during the world cup. Perhaps he could tell us what specific activity the ambassadors will be doing during the world cup and how he'll be measuring the success of Lleisiau Cymru more generally. Of course, it's right that the Welsh Government is seeking to create a positive and lasting legacy from the world cup, as it should from all major events. It's crucial that the Welsh Government doesn't embark on this agenda without significant engagement with the Football Association of Wales, Sport Wales and, indeed, other stakeholders. So, I'd be grateful if the Minister could update us on the latest discussions that he's had with stakeholders about creating a lasting legacy from the world cup once the tournament has concluded.

Today's statement refers to sport diplomacy opportunities, and the Minister will no doubt be aware of Professor Laura McAllister's report on developing a Welsh sports diplomacy strategy. That report rightly recognises that, currently, any benefits to Welsh society or economy are ad hoc rather than part of a long-term strategy and allied to Welsh or wider British policy objectives. It also noted that more needs to be done to digitally map, measure and evaluate sport and its contribution to the Welsh economy at home and abroad. Therefore, perhaps the Minister could tell us whether the Welsh Government is considering a sports diplomacy strategy. Also, can he tell us what work is being done to better quantify the contribution of sport to the Welsh economy?

Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, it's vital that the Welsh Government learns from best practice in this area. We can certainly learn a lot from other Governments across the world. The Australian Government has done some significant work on how sport can help deliver its foreign policy goals. So, perhaps there's room here to commission work on how other Governments have approached this, so we can learn from best practice. I'd be grateful if the Minister would consider commissioning a paper on this matter. The Qatar world cup does offer significant economic opportunities and could be a way to open the door to further trade links with other countries, but we need to consider the whole picture of how sport can be an economic asset. So, I look forward to learning more about the specific initiatives that the Welsh Government is investing in and how they can deliver positive returns for the Welsh economy. Therefore, on that note, Dirprwy Lywydd, on behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, can I also say a huge 'pob lwc' to Rob Page and the team?

Thank you for the comments and a series of questions. I'll try to do as many of them as promptly as I can, seeing the Dirprwy Lywydd's beady eyes looking at me.

In terms of the spend of the trips and the details, we regularly publish, with every overseas visit that Ministers undertake, a written statement outlining the programme of activities and who has attended. We always publish the details of cost. That comes out in a range of forms. So, the cost won't be hidden. And in terms of the difference Ministers make, it's part of what we're doing in being proportionate. There are choices that lead Ministers make about whether they think that an overseas visit will make sense, and then the First Minister will need to sign off that he agrees that is a good use of time and resource. We made the choice that Ministers attending the two biggest games in the group stage is a good use of Ministers' time. That goes into your point about what our ambassadors will be doing when it comes to the operation of Lleisiau Cymru and how Ministers will add to that.

I think it's hard to understate the extraordinary level of media attention there will be in Qatar for teams that are there. They will have a multiplicity of voices with different issues to want to talk about and highlight. And of course, sports diplomacy and the interests of the wider sporting world—not just football but a range of others—will be important to us. Ministers will get access to different opportunities to meet people in different Governments and different stakeholders that not everyone else will be able to do. That, I think, makes a difference. And that does underscore why the choices were made by the Government to attend two of the group games. We'll have, I hope, a positive problem to address after the group stage, if Wales are into the knockouts. I'd much rather be talking about our continued success in the tournament.

When it comes, again, to the partner support fund itself, we are, of course, as indeed are our partners, going to maximise the impact of that spend, not just to demonstrate that the money has been spent in accordance with the projects, but then to understand the impact of that. I fully expect, not just in terms of the returns that we will want to see from the Government point of view, but Members have an entirely reasonable and legitimate interest in understanding what that impact has been at various points in time, because, for some of these, there will be an immediate impact in terms of the activity that's been building some of the excitement. For example, the Urdd jamboree is not something I think you'll say, 'Well, what will be the impact of that in six months' time?' but it is an important part of the sense of togetherness in a global event that none of us have experienced in our lifetime—looking around the room—and that any of us can recall.

The broader point, then, though, that, in some areas, you'll need to look at a longer time frame to see the impact of all the spend and the decisions that are made, and the Member will understand this too. That also goes to some of the points about digital marketing. We did offer a briefing for subject committees, but I appreciate that there's not always a lot of time available. We're more than happy to make sure that we share the marketing that is going out so that you can see some of the examples of what's being put out into different parts of the world. As well, of course, I hope that Members got to see 'This is Wales' online—the 'This is Wales' account on social media and some of the 'Welcome to Wales' content that's going out. Having seen some of the efforts that other countries are putting out, I think ours stands up very well in being a really positive window into Wales, as it should be.

When it comes to our ambassadors, in particular we're interested in the footballing world, the business world, food and drink, and it's really helpful that Bryn Williams, the renowned chef, is there—big opportunities in the region and wider. And, of course, the culture squad that we had, and Mace the Great, who, I should point out, Dirprwy Lywydd, to declare an interest, is a Splott boy, but they're not all constituents of mine. But, we've got a range of people who are on the cusp, I think, of real, international significance, and, again, showing the variety of our offer here in Wales, and some of it we could only do by being in the country as well as our activity elsewhere. Of course, there will also be some interesting conversations, I'm sure, around UEFA 2028, where there's been a previous public statement on the fact that there is a potential joint bid between all of the UK nations and the Republic of Ireland as potential hosts for that tournament.

When it comes to sport and promoting sport as an economic asset, we'll continue to consider the future of sporting events and whether we need a specific strategy as distinct from our major events strategy, which we're just in the process of recommissioning, a future approach, and the Member has spoken about that previously. We've launched our events strategy for the future as well, and I want to make sure that we're doing things that are consistent whilst learning from the opportunities of this significant event in front of 5 billion people. 

Thank you, Minister, for your statement.

I do not, in any way, want to distract from the opportunities presented by Wales qualifying for the world cup; it is a fantastic showcase—it's the biggest showcase we've ever had, and I think it's right that we are investing in this. I do, however, want to put on record that I do not believe that the world cup should be taking place in Qatar. I absolutely disagree with that decision. I was distressed but not surprised to hear Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, saying in a recent interview that Qatar is a mistake, the choice was bad. He also acknowledged that human rights weren't a part of the decision making. And, I think, the more that comes out, increasingly so, it does make me question why Welsh Government is now attending, with more and more people admitting that these things were not taken into consideration.

I also want to remind people why these are not just concerns, but the facts behind these. So, as we know, migrant workers' rights, in 2021, The Guardian published an article, and an analysis found that 6,500 migrant workers had died in Qatar since the right to host the world cup was awarded. The total death toll is likely to be significantly higher, as these figures don't include the deaths from a number of countries that send a large number of workers to Qatar, including the Philippines and Kenya, nor are deaths from the end of 2020 onwards included. Can we just take a moment to reflect on that? 

Further, homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, and officials continue to demand that visitors respect local customs and avoid public displays of affection. In an interview with Sky News, Qatar's minister of foreign affairs reiterated demands—demands—for visitors 'to respect our laws'. Asked what would happen if two men kiss or hold hands in the street, he said:

'The law actually doesn't allow a public display of affection, whether it's a man and a man, or a man and a woman. That's our law.'

And the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, who will also be at the tournament, has been criticised after he said that LGBT fans who go to Qatar, where same-sex activity is illegal, should show a little bit of 'flex and compromise'. Can we also take a moment to reflect on that?

I must admit that the more that comes out, the more uncomfortable, as I said, I am that we will be there, attending. Obviously, I'm incredibly proud that Team Cymru will be there. I think that they are to be commended for taking that strong stance, and I'm proud that they will be wearing the 'One Love' armband. I'm proud of our players and Rob Page's stance, and that should be acknowledged. But let's remind ourselves also that FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, recently asked world cup teams to avoid discussions concerning human rights issues in Qatar ahead of the tournament by writing to association leaders of the 32 competing nations last week, urging them not to,

'allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists'.

Shocking. So, my question to you, Minister, you have said that the First Minister has raised concerns with the Qatar ambassador, and that you have written a letter concerning the homophobic comments and condemning them, but what response did you receive, and what response did the First Minister receive? It's one thing raising those concerns, but, by taking this stance, what will actually change in Qatar for LGBTQ+ people and migrant workers by the presence of Welsh Government there? What will actually change and what will be the legacy, not just in terms of economic value in terms of the Wales brand, but for those people who are affected and are being persecuted or are dying because of what is happening in Qatar?

I would also like to ask: why are we sending two men to represent Welsh Government? If you are going, why are we not sending a female representative from Welsh Government, as was originally planned? What message does this send to women's rights as well, which is also something that is a concern in Qatar? What message does it send that we are sending two men to represent our Welsh Government, if you are going?

I would also like to echo Paul Davies's point, in terms of COP27. I think it is a fair point to raise, in a climate emergency where we are saying, 'this is a priority', that we are prioritising attending two football matches to attending COP27. That is a question that needs to be addressed, and I would like clarity on that.

And, finally, may I ask what assurances you can give that our supporters will be safe in Qatar? And if you can't give them, what is your advice to any LGBTQ+ supporters who are due to go, but are concerned about their safety at this point in time? I think with more and more things in the press, saying that people have to respect customs, people are getting increasingly concerned, and they are due in Qatar imminently.

Similarly to Paul Davies, I think we need to know what measures are in place in terms of the investment, what the objectives are, what does success look like, and I would like to see that published as soon as possible so that we can see how that investment will change. But the most important thing is: how will this change things for people in Qatar? What will be that legacy?

The Llywydd took the Chair.

Thank you for the series of questions. Look, we have always acknowledged that the decision to host the tournament in any county is FIFA's. I don't think Sepp Blatter's recent interventions have been helpful, nor do I believe that they were designed to be helpful. There's a broader point that there are politics in every organisation, and there certainly are plenty of politics within FIFA.

When it comes to where the tournament now is, our choice is: now that we've qualified as of right, what is our choice in how we support our team, and what does that mean for the Welsh Government and Welsh Ministers? And that's what I've set out. It's what I set out in August, and then in the statement in the Senedd on 27 September, and what I'm reiterating again today in our regular engagement.

On LGBTQ+ rights, I think we've been clear about the fact that we, of course, have a difference, not just in our laws, but in our values, and that's part of our engagement with different parts of the world. And the First Minister set out the specific statement on engaging with countries where we don't share values. The challenge always is whether you engage or not, and if you engage, how you go about engaging in a way that is positive about who we are in this country, and to be proud of that.

It is a matter of coincidence as opposed to deliberate choice to have chosen all of the ambassadors that we have by, if you like, the fact that one of them is black, the fact that we've got two women, the fact that two of them are out. That's simply because they offer lots and lots: Laura McAllister in the world of sports diplomacy, she's really engaged in this world—you'll know this as well—across men's and women's football; Colin Jackson, with a huge international following, and he'll be able to bring lots with him; Bryn Williams, what he'll bring, a renowned chef, and food and drink is a real opportunity within that region but broadly across the world; and Katie Owen from Merthyr is someone who has got a significant appeal to a much younger audience—I'm afraid much younger than myself, typically, I must acknowledge that those days of me being young are long gone. But we're deliberately choosing people we think who can add to Wales and that goes alongside the FAW ambassadors as well. Ian Rush and Jess Fishlock are people who football fans around the world will recognise, and especially Jess Fishlock, being last year's most valuable player in women's football in the United States. Both Jess Fishlock and Laura McAllister have been very clear about their views and values, and I don't expect them to stop. We've chosen people who will add to Wales's brand and what we're going to be able to do on a global stage, and we'll be proud of each and every one of those, as well as the team.

When it comes to the assurances that we've been given, we've had the same message, actually, about public displays of affection between any couple, and when I visited Qatar previously, they were very clear that public displays of affection don't take place between men and women. That isn't their expectation. The challenge, though, is that the assurances that we've sought and have been given about the safety of our fans, and the very clear messaging from the people running the tournament, is that everyone is welcome. That's why I was appalled—. Well, regardless of that, I was appalled anyway by the comments of the football ambassador. It's why I condemned them immediately upon hearing them. It's why I've written to the UK's Qatari ambassador, because again, when the First Minister met him, he was given assurances that everyone is welcome. I haven't received a response. It's not unusual not to receive a response within a week. But part of the point is setting out very clearly our own expectations and the fact that we expect our fans to be able to be their true authentic selves, but understanding that some people will choose not to go there. And it's reasonable for people to say that they won't go there.

We're not in a position where we're saying that the Welsh Government's view is the only correct and acceptable view; different people will make different choices, and we need to respect their right to do so. When it comes to how people are treated, we want to see the assurances met and lived up to. It's why we've engaged with not just UK police forces but with the British embassy team in Qatar, both in my earlier visit and since then as well, and it's why the UK embassy is expecting to have more resources available to it; with English and Welsh fans appearing in the country and the wider region, they can expect to have more requests for consular assistance than they would normally expect at this time of year. So, it's a significant undertaking, and we'll carry on the engagement that we do have, and it's one of our key objectives to make sure that our fans are safe.

When it comes to future interest in the region, part of the reason we're engaging now is because we want to be ourselves, we want people to see Wales as it is today, and it's part of what we think we can do to help to change other parts of the world. We will also, though, want to maintain an interest in the future of the country and the wider region. And on workers' rights, Qatar has made more progress than other countries in the region. They've got an office of the International Labour Organization in Qatar; other countries in the region don't have that. When the First Minister met the international Trades Union Congress with the TUC—it was a meeting on our initiative and we asked for the meeting—they gave us an update on the position. They have made changes to employment law. Some of the cultural changes in how people treat workers will take more time, as it does in this country when we change employment rights. It often takes people time to catch up. But they say, the international TUC say that they are seeing progress in Qatar that they want to be recognised, but they want it to be built on. No-one, I think, is suggesting that the position on workers' rights today is as we would wish it to be in that country or that region forever. So, it's about maintaining our interest and amplifying the voice of organised labour within that country in any event. And again, that is part of what we will do.

When it comes, of course, to what we do ourselves, the FAW have been very clear: they want us to be on the journey with them. They want us to attend to support them in the country in the fixtures, and it was a real pleasure to be able to attend the final public training session of the squad today and be part of the send-off. But we also need to recognise that, as a distinct nation within the UK, it isn't just about whether Welsh Ministers are there, it is the reality that, if we are not there, there will be Government representation; it will simply be that the UK Government will be there in the region on our behalf and they would be taking all of the Government-directed engagements and interviews instead of the Welsh Government. I don't think that's the right balance; I think we should be there. We should be proud of the team and supporting them and engaging in the way that we said we would do. 

I'm proud of the fact that not only our football association but the other UEFA FAs, the 10 of them, responded to the FIFA letter, which I thought was poorly judged and provocative, and it got the response it deserved from UEFA nations. All of them are going to wear the 'One Love' armband, because it's a choice not for their associations but of the teams. And again that speaks to values that nations have been raising before the tournament and will carry on doing so during it. Our job is to give the players a platform to succeed, for them to raise issues as they have done already, and for the Government to support them and make clear that, actually, it's not their job to be politicians in all of this and there is a role for us in the Government. And look, I know the last time we had this conversation, on 27 September, you said you wished you could go on the plane with us to Qatar. There will be a conversation about what we all want to be able to do in supporting the team and how we do that, whether we're in Qatar or not, and wanting to see a legacy on the pitch and off it, in Wales, around the world and, of course, in the region.

Good afternoon again, Minister. I want to put on record my support to the Welsh team. I hope they come back with the world cup. Wouldn't that just be amazing? I hope we would see them first here in the Senedd. But you will know that the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats across the UK condemn Ministers going from Wales to the Qatari world cup, and I hope maybe Plaid Cymru would join us in that position as well. 

I have three questions for you in the time that I've got. One is being repeated for the third time, and I appreciate you've got lots of questions, but why is it that the Welsh Government did not go to COP27 on the basis that you were going to be expending air miles, and yet many people in this team are going off to Qatar? The climate emergency is our biggest threat, and also potentially our biggest economic opportunity as well. The second question: why is it that you made a decision not to attend the Iran game based on human rights, and still you're going to Qatar, which as you've heard outlined has one of the worst human rights records in relation to women, gay people and workers from other countries? And I understand you do want to raise Welsh values, but you've got an office in Qatar, you've had an office in Qatar for a number of years, and I understand you're going to continue with that. It does not require Welsh Ministers to go, and I urge you to reconsider that decision. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

I recognise the position that the Welsh Liberal Democrats have taken. As I say, it's entirely legitimate for people to have different views as to whether Welsh Ministers should be there or not. We are, after all, fortunate to live in a functioning democracy, where people do have different views, and we're here to discuss and debate them. When it comes to Iran, the choice was made about whether it was proportionate for Welsh Ministers to attend the Iran game. The two big opportunities to promote Wales on a global stage are the USA game, and the USA is one of our key markets where we're looking to expand and undertake more activity. I'll be in the US at the time of the US-Wales game, with a series of engagements in the media and meeting business development and investment opportunities. It's a really significant opportunity. And also, our First Minister, whoever it is after the men's team qualify again for the first time in 64 years—I do think it's right that our First Minister is there for our first game in this tournament. It is the biggest event in the world—bigger than the Olympics. And I think it matters that we are there represented by the First Minister of the Welsh Government, which of course didn't exist 64 years ago. 

When it comes to the proportionality of us attending, that's the choice that we've made about where we think we can derive the greatest benefit from our presence. And of course the game against England, I think, is a good one for us, not only because I'm positive about the results, potentially, on the pitch, but, if you think about the way that lots of the parts of the world actually see Britain, they often see the UK, Britain and England as being synonymous with each other, one and the same. Having a game against England in the biggest global event I think is a really positive way to highlight that Wales and England are distinct parts of the UK, and Welsh Ministers will have the opportunity to highlight that in our engagements in the region and indeed globally around the world. It's part of the reason our marketing campaign is important to set out who Wales is, where we are, and what the opportunities are to visit and, indeed, of course, to invest in the future of our country.

There's a point about what's proportionate and the balance in doing different things, but it also comes back to the point about COP27: what would we have achieved by Ministers going to that after the conference that took place here in Glasgow? And the balance is about the use of ministerial time and what we think we gain. We do think we'll gain from having Ministers at those two games, and indeed the other activity we're sponsoring. And part of the point of having an office there: having an office staffed by Welsh Government employees is not the same as having ministerial presence. When I went to Qatar myself, and previously when I went to the United Arab Emirates, there were a range of engagements we only secured because of ministerial presence, and it is the reality that it helps open more doors and to gain more conversation, and it says something about the seriousness with which you take the engagement and the response you get back from people. That isn't just business development; that is also the point about raising our issues, about living our values and the statements that we make. Having our office say, 'This is who Wales is', is not the same as having the First Minister or a different Cabinet Minister in the Government of that country making those statements, whether in Qatar or in the wider world. So, I do think that, with respect, there are good reasons for us doing so, as we are, but I accept that others are perfectly entitled to have an alternative point of view.

Minister, as well as promoting Wales on a world stage—which of course is essential, and which we fully support—it is imperative that we also capitalise on the new engagement and enthusiasm and take-up at home, to ensure the positive, long-lasting legacy that you talk about in the opening of your statement and of course we all want to see. Ideally, we'd already have the sporting facilities in place right across Wales to truly capitalise on what I'm sure will be increased take-up during and after the world cup. Minister, do you agree that we need to build on our sporting success? Sadly—. I'm sorry. Sadly, the success of this Welsh national team is in spite of this Welsh Government's lack of investment into sporting facilities over the past two decades, and not because of. Do you agree with me that we need to build on our sporting success, capitalise on this new-found enthusiasm that we're seeing and will see, and do you recognise the need to go far beyond what you've committed to grass-roots sporting facilities in Wales, to at least be in line with that of Ireland, England and Scotland and what they invest into their sporting facilities and finding future stars in their countries? And as chair of the cross-party group on sport, I hope, Minister, that you will consider attending the cross-party group on sport's world cup special, being hosted next month with the FAW, BBC and ITV, so that we can all come together and discuss how best we capitalise on this remarkable occasion. Pob lwc, Cymru.

I'll deal with the pointed questions, then I'll deal with the more unifying finish. Look, as Laura Anne Jones knows very well, we've committed in the capital budget to significant investment in improving sporting facilities. The programme of investment in twenty-first century schools—we've made sure that we deliver facilities that aren't just right for schools, but also for community use as well. We work alongside local authorities in doing so and are proud to do so. But, as the Member knows, our ability to invest more capital is linked to the capital available to the Welsh Government, and we've seen a funding cut in capital in the last spending review period. We've had a decade of austerity, and the Member can't turn up here, having been a long-term supporter of austerity and the cuts that were made, and then demand that more money is spent despite the real-terms funding cuts that we have received. If you want to invest more money in sporting facilities, then you need to try to tell us where that money comes from, rather than trying to magic it out of the air. I thought it was a disappointing party political shot that bears no relationship to reality, and I thought some humility from Conservatives after the disastrous interim reign of Truss and Kwarteng might be more appropriate.

When it comes to your final point, if I'm available, I'd be very happy to join Members to look at the wider legacy of the world cup, and, indeed, all of us, I think, can all agree: pob lwc, Cymru, Robert Page, and the whole team.

Yes, indeed. Pob lwc, Cymru. And that concludes that statement. Thank you to the Minister.