Tony Blair Associates (TBA) was an umbrella organisation established by Tony Blair to "allow him to provide, in partnership with others, strategic advice on a commercial and pro bono basis, on political and economic trends and governmental reform".[2] The profits from the firm went towards supporting Blair's "work on faith, Africa and climate change".[3] The firm was closed down in September 2016.[4]
Blair, with his Quartet and TBA roles, worked with the Kazakh government, advising the regime on judicial, economic and political reforms.[5]
In June 2014, Blair was looking for an office Abu Dhabi to help attract middle-eastern business for TBA. By July, Blair had been hired to advise on the export of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, a project being run by a consortium of companies led by BP.[6]
Criticism
Blair was subjected to criticism for potential conflicts of interest between his diplomatic role as a Middle East peace envoy and his work with Tony Blair Associates,[7][8][9] and a number of prominent critics even called for him to be sacked from his peace envoy role.[10]
Blair was subject to criticism after accusations of "whitewashing" the image and human rights record of the regime in Kazakhstan.[5] In particular, opposition activists published an open letter in a Kazakh newspaper, Respublika, claiming Blair would have "blood on his hands" if he did not stop assisting President Nursultan Nazarbayev.[citation needed] Blair responded to such criticism by saying his choice to advise the country was an example of how he could "nudge controversial figures on a progressive path of reform" and stated that he received no personal profit from this advisory role.[11] The Kazakhstan foreign minister said that the country was "honoured and privileged" to be receiving advice from Blair.[12][13]
Blair was reported to have accepted a business advisory role with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, a situation deemed incompatible with his role as Middle East peace envoy;[14] Blair described the report as "nonsense".[15]
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