COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING 2018 REPORT

INCLUDES PERSPECTIVES FROM HRH The Prince of Wales | Theresa May | Joseph Muscat Amina J Mohammed | Shahid Khaqan Abbasi | Yoweri Museveni | Akinwumi Adesina Frank Bainimarama | Julia Gillard | Freundel Stuart | Roberto Azevêdo

COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING 2018 REPORT

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1 Lord Mayor’s Message Sydney ranks as one of the top 10 most connected cities - alongside New York, London, Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong.

Through our Sustainable Sydney :HKDYHVLJQLÀFDQWVWUHQJWKV and to further Sydney’s 2030 Program, we are ensuring DFURVVDQXPEHURIVHFWRUV reputation as a competitive and that Sydney continues to be LQFOXGLQJÀQDQFLDODQG innovative global city. one of the world’s most liveable, SURIHVVLRQDOVHUYLFHVWRXULVP These pages outline some of sustainable and connected LQWHUQDWLRQDOHGXFDWLRQ the work we’ve done to build on cities, with a key focus on the LQQRYDWLRQDQGFUHDWLYHDQG Sydney’s many strengths and environment, society, culture GLJLWDOVHUYLFHV ensure it remains an outstanding and the economy. The City’s global focus is global city that continues to Sydney provides the to promote Sydney and its welcome the world. headquarters for nearly 40 per economy, attract talent, events, cent of the top 500 Australian tourists and investment; FRUSRUDWLRQV'LJLWDOÀQDQFLDO connect local businesses educational and creative internationally and build capacity businesses are all thriving in through knowledge exchange Sydney – supported by our to boost economic prosperity; robust economic strategy. create a thriving globally Clover Moore connected community; Lord Mayor of Sydney

Artist Impression: George Street Transformation by City of Sydney and Haycraft Duloy A Resilient City A Cultural City Sydney is part of the global 100 At the City of Sydney, our Sydney’s cultural life emerges Resilient Cities initiative pioneered operations became carbon neutral directly from our residents, workers by the Rockefeller Foundation. in 2007, we’ve driven greenhouse and visitors – from our First Nations Hosted by the City of Sydney, emissions down by 25 per cent people to those who have more the program is a collaboration in our own operations and 19 per recently arrived in our city. between the metropolitan councils cent city-wide (despite the local NSW hosts the nation’s largest of Sydney, the NSW Government, economy expanding by 37 per number of artists, musicians, business and community partners. cent across the same period), and architects, designers and cultural we’re moving toward 50 per cent It is designed to strengthen the professionals, as well as the biggest renewable energy by 2021. ability of Sydney communities to audiences and highest levels of survive, adapt and thrive in the We do this by collaborating with participation. Creative enterprises face of impending uncertainty and businesses and residents and our are often small and we must make disruptions we all face. Better Buildings partnership is a room for these initiatives. proud example of this, which has We are focussed on working We need to ensure the people logged a 52 per cent reduction in as a whole city to address the who drive them can continue to carbon emissions from the major challenges of a resilient economy, live in Sydney and lead the kind owners of commercial buildings in infrastructure and community. of lives that inspire creativity. This our CBD. means providing suitable space for A Sustainable City We’re also investing in stormwater creative enterprises and affordable Climate change is the most harvesting projects at Sydney Park housing for cultural workers. critical issue facing our society and Green Square and planting It also means working across many and incremental steps are no thousands of trees to reduce the policy areas, including planning, longer adequate – we need to heat island effect. building, liquor licensing, transport dramatically increase action if It is critical that we work together and housing. we are to achieve real outcomes. and encourage all levels of Cities are leading the way on Government to work seriously climate action. towards a sustainable future.

A City for Cycling and Walking Nearly a third of City residents walk and commuters to take short trips 7KHWRWDOQXPEHURI or ride to work - more than in any on foot. For residents, our target is SHRSOHULGLQJ in and other area across metropolitan to ensure that everyone lives within a around our local area for Sydney. reasonable walking distance to most work and recreation has When we choose to walk, we local services. GRXEOHGVLQFH also reduce demand for other The City is committed to making To date, NLORPHWUHV vehicles and in the long run, reduce cycling easier and safer, to make it RIQHZWUDIÀFVHSDUDWHG congestion on the road network. It’s attractive and feasible as transport F\FOHZD\V have been also an opportunity to connect with as well as for recreation. This completed, with a other people in the community. That commitment includes creating IXUWKHUHLJKWNLORPHWUHV is why the City continues to work to the Liveable Green Network – a RIVKDUHGSDWKVDQGRQ ensure that the built environment is complete network of high quality URDGF\FOHZD\Vover designed to encourage residents walking and riding routes in the city. the next four years. CONTENTS

9 INTRODUCTION 24 THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Claire Whitaker, Chair, SPORT AS A FORCE FOR GOOD The Royal Commonwealth Society Louise Martin, President, Commonwealth Games Federation 10 WELCOME TO CHOGM 2018 Theresa May, Prime Minister, United Kingdom, 28 WE MUST WORK TOGETHER FOR and incoming Commonwealth Chair-in-Office SHARED PEACE AND PROSPERITY Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Prime Minister, Pakistan

TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE 30 THE POWER OF YOUTH Angelique Pouponneau and Leon Ward, Co-Chairs of the International Youth Taskforce for 14 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2018 His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales 32 THE CRITICAL CONTRIBUTION OF 16 SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE OF YOUNG PEOPLE THE COMMONWEALTH Yoweri Museveni, President, Uganda Dr Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister, Malta, and outgoing Commonwealth Chair-in-Office 34 AGEING IN THE COMMONWEALTH Andrew Larpent, Chairman, CommonAge 18 CHOGM 2018 IS A WATERSHED FOR THE COMMONWEALTH 36 ASPIRATIONS FOR A BETTER FUTURE Dr Timothy S Harris, Prime Minister, His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and St. Kitts and Nevis Yang Di-Pertuan, Brunei Darussalam

21 CHAMPIONING THE VALUE AND VALUES 40 COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR OUR OF THE MODERN COMMONWEALTH COMMON FUTURE Michael Lake, Director, Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister, Singapore The Royal Commonwealth Society

4 CONTENTS

A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE 66 CREATING A PROSPEROUS FUTURE THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 42 TRADE AND INVESTMENT President, Republic of Ghana FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General, 68 GREEN GROWTH FOR THE World Trade Organization COMMONWEALTH: READY FOR PHASE THREE 46 BRITAIN, BREXIT AND THE Dr Andrew Steer, President and CEO, COMMONWEALTH World Resources Institute David Howell, President, The Royal Commonwealth Society A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 50 DEALING WITH THE DEFICIT AND RESTORING GROWTH Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister, 72 THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Trinidad and Tobago GOALS: FROM PROMISE TO PRACTISE Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, 53 TOWARDS AFRICAN ECONOMIC United Nations TRANSFORMATION Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, 76 PLACING LOCAL GOVERNMENT African Development Bank AT THE HEART OF DEVELOPMENT Dr Greg Munro, Secretary-General, 58 AFRICA’S CONTINENTAL Commonwealth Local Government Forum FREE TRADE AREA Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for 78 PATHWAY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Trade and Industry, African Union Maithripala Sirisena, President, Sri Lanka

5 CONTENTS Credit: UN Women/Gaganjit Singh Women/Gaganjit UN Credit:

80 SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE 98 BUILDING RESILIENCE OF SMALL THROUGH EDUCATION ISLAND STATES Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO Freundel Jerome Stuart, Prime Minister, Barbados

84 A NEW ERA FOR EDUCATION 100 EXPANDING ENERGY ACCESS ACROSS FINANCING THE COMMONWEALTH Julia Gillard, Chair, Global Partnership for Education Martin Hiller, Director General, REEEP

88 ACHIEVING LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL 106 BETTER LIVES AT OUR FINGERTIPS: ICT Asha Kanwar, President and CEO, Commonwealth AND THE SDGS of Learning Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union 90 UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE SHOULD BE EVERYONE’S RIGHT 108 A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, THE BAHAMAS Director-General, World Health Organization Dr Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister, The Bahamas

92 GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AND THE IMPACT OF POLIO ERADICATION A FAIRER FUTURE Ian Riseley, President, Rotary International

94 ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION MUST 110 FORGING A FAIRER FUTURE FOR THE BE A PRIORITY COMMONWEALTH Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister, Mauritius Edgar Lungu, President, Zambia

96 ADVANCING THE CLIMATE ACTION 112 ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTION FOR AGENDA SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister, Fiji Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, and President of COP23 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

6 CONTENTS

116 STANDING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations WITH THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS High Commissioner for Human Rights 2 City of Sydney 118 CITIZEN VOICES FOR A FAIRER FUTURE Vijay Krishnarayan, Director-General, 8 Crown Agents Bank Commonwealth Foundation 12 Government of Gibraltar 120 CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN POLITICS Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under Secretary- 26 Caribbean Accreditation Authority for General and Executive Director of UN Women Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP) 123 TIME FOR BOLD ACTION ON FEMALE EXPLOITATION 38 Government of Zimbabwe Tanya Barron, UK CEO, Plan International UK 44 Government of Barbados 126 LGBTI EQUALITY FOR A FAIRER FUTURE Justice Dingake, Co-Chair, African Think Tank 49 Vallis on HIV, Health and Social Justice 52 Government of The Gambia

A MORE SECURE FUTURE 56 Amni International Petroleum Development

128 SECURING A RESILIENT FUTURE IN THE 62 Government of Uganda AGE OF CLIMATE WARS Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister, Dominica 71 Standard Chartered

132 PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN 87 University of Nigeria THE COMMONWEALTH Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, 102 Shelter Solutions Limited United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism 114 Independent Corrupt Practices and 134 COUNTERING EXTREMISM: Other Related Offences Commission, MODERATION IN DIVERSITY (ICPC Nigeria) Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister, Malaysia 131 Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) 136 COLLABORATING ON CRIME FOR A SAFER FUTURE Jürgen Stock, Secretary General, INTERPOL

138 CYBERSECURITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH Shola Taylor, Secretary-General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

7

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION TO THE CHOGM 2018 REPORT

n the occasion of the 25th future for all Commonwealth citizens. Commonwealth Heads Each of these sub-themes is explored Oof Government Meeting through the thought-leadership pieces (CHOGM), it is my great pleasure as in this report, with authors providing Chair of The Royal Commonwealth tangible suggestions as to how the Society to bring you the CHOGM Commonwealth can act as a force for 2018 Report. Published by Henley good in the world. The report also Media Group in partnership with addresses the common challenges The Royal Commonwealth Society, faced by Commonwealth member the report features an inspiring series states including weak global trade and of thought-leadership pieces from LQYHVWPHQWÁRZVLQVXIÀFLHQWSURJUHVV Commonwealth Heads of Government to meet the Sustainable Development and other highly respected and *RDOVQHZFURVVERUGHUVHFXULW\WKUHDWV Claire Whitaker OBE, knowledgeable commentators. the effects of climate change on small Chair, The Royal Commonwealth The bi-annual CHOGM, together DQGRWKHUYXOQHUDEOHVWDWHVDQGWKUHDWV Society with the associated forums (Youth, to our shared values of democracy, good Business, People’s and Women’s) governance and inclusivity as set out in provides a regular opportunity for the Commonwealth Charter. Commonwealth leaders to take stock I am particularly pleased that there of progress and to set agendas for will be a strong youth focus at the the succeeding period which will 2018 CHOGM and that this is also see the United Kingdom succeed UHÁHFWHGLQWKHIROORZLQJSDJHV 0DOWDDV&KDLULQ2IÀFHRIWKH Young people account for 60 per cent Commonwealth until 2020. of the Commonwealth’s population The theme for this year’s meeting – and the future of the Commonwealth Towards a Common Future – focuses depends on them. on promoting collaboration and I send my best wishes to all attending delivering solutions to create a more the 2018 CHOGM – and associated prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair forums – for successful, progressive and collaborative discussions. And ÀQDOO\,ZLVKWRH[SUHVVP\WKDQNVWR all the authors and supporters featured I wish to express my thanks LQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQ,KRSH\RXÀQG their contributions informative and to all the authors and supporters valuable. By sharing ideas and working together we can create a better future featured in this publication. By for all Commonwealth citizens. sharing ideas and working together we can create a better future for all Commonwealth citizens.

9 WELCOME WELCOME TO CHOGM 2018

Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and incoming Commonwealth Chair-in-Offi ce

10 WELCOME

I look forward to seizing the opportunities the summit week will offer.

his year’s Commonwealth of those new jobs will mean another Through sharing information both Heads of Government Meeting family seeing their hard work rewarded, off- and online, we can and must work T(CHOGM) is the largest summit and the spread of greater opportunity. together to keep each other safe. of its kind in the United Kingdom’s In building the Commonwealth As Prime Minister of the United history. And, as we host this truly of the future, we must put youth at Kingdom, I am proud to lead a global event, we are reminded of the its heart. Helping our young people country that has always looked unique relationships we have forged to maximise their potential through beyond Europe to the wider world with a diverse and vibrant alliance of work and education opportunities, – a Global Britain, committed to Commonwealth nations. and to understand the importance spending 0.7 per cent of our national The United Kingdom has an of the Commonwealth, is absolutely income on development, and to the unbreakable commitment to vital in building momentum for the rules-based international system with the Commonwealth and to the future. Many British schoolchildren the Commonwealth at its heart. fundamental values that it upholds – KDYHDOUHDG\EHQHÀWWHGIURPVSHFLDO At home, the Commonwealth has democracy, human rights and the rule packs about the Commonwealth that had a profound impact on modern of law. And the summit provides us have been distributed to teachers. And Britain, making us one of the most ZLWKDQRSSRUWXQLW\WRUHDIÀUPWKHVH in our Youth Forum, the leaders and diverse and multicultural countries precious values while, at the same time, thinkers of tomorrow will have the in Europe and our country has been reinvigorating the Commonwealth chance to have their voices heard. shaped by the people who have made and cementing its relevance to this 6FKRROVDUHDOVREHQHÀWWLQJIURP the United Kingdom their home. and future generations. The deep education packs on the oceans, which It is only through coming together partnerships that we share through a will be a key theme at this summit. that we can truly understand how much revived 21st century Commonwealth Marine pollution, particularly from we have in common with each other. can help us strengthen the prosperity SODVWLFVLVRQHRIWKHPRVWVLJQLÀFDQW From job creation, to leaving the next and security of our citizens, and those challenges facing the world today. It generation with a cleaner planet, each of our friends and allies spread across is so important that we tackle this of the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion its 53 different countries. scourge, so that future generations citizens has something to gain from As we will see at the many exciting can enjoy a natural environment their membership of this extraordinary events planned in London and that is cleaner and greener than we and diverse organisation. Windsor, the Commonwealth is a FXUUHQWO\ÀQGLW I look forward to seizing the living, breathing network. We are 2.4 The Commonwealth, spread over opportunities the summit week will billion citizens living in some of the six continents, is uniquely placed to offer and to building on the work world’s fastest growing economies. take transformative action, and I look begun by the Prime Minister of Malta, The Commonwealth already forward to seeing how this will take Joseph Muscat, in 2015. We are looking DFFRXQWVIRURQHÀIWKRIJOREDOWUDGH shape. If we stand together, we have outwards and we are looking forwards And by building on our existing trade the opportunity to send not only a – towards a brighter, more prosperous, links and establishing new ones, we powerful message to the world, but also secure, fair and sustainable future for must work together to build further to make a real difference. everyone. upon this solid foundation. Regardless Like environmental damage, Finally, may I pay tribute to Her of which corner of the Commonwealth international security – including cyber Majesty The Queen, who has for the \RXDUHIURPZHZLOODOOEHQHÀWIURP security – is also a cross-border issue past seven decades stood at the head of the jobs created by trade agreements requiring collective action and will the Commonwealth family. Her tireless between member states. Every one be another central theme this week. work is truly humbling.

11 GIBRALTAR

“Relationships across the Commonwealth are what are going to make Gibraltar strong and enduring in trade. These trade agreements will be crucial to Gibraltar’s ability to endure Brexit and prosper after it.”

Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo QC MP

Although we are a small community, Gibraltar is Gibraltarians are 30,000 of the 2.5 billion people across outward-looking, modern and cosmopolitan. Like the 71 nations who maintain a special connection. Together Commonwealth, the strength of our community is in its Commonwealth citizens represent about a third of the diversity. We embrace and share the progressive and global population and we share a common language, democratic values that the Commonwealth represents, and culture and values and enjoy similar legal, political and will seek to foster and strengthen ties with Commonwealth accounting systems. And in an increasingly uncertain global nations in the years to come. political environment, many Commonwealth nations are progressively looking towards each other as natural allies and partners.

Gibraltar is an eager and active participant, and has a lot to offer. We stand ready and able to provide aid in times of disasters, and support whenever it is needed: when in September 2017 members of our Commonwealth family suffered the effects of Hurricane Irma, Gibraltar donated ten 4x4 vehicles, £20,000 worth of general hardware items and £6,500 worth of building materials to aid the emergency relief effort. Gibraltar’s athletes are enthusiastic and passionate participants in the Commonwealth Games, which are widely lauded as the network’s greatest success. In 2017 the University of Gibraltar established the first new Commonwealth scholarship scheme in 20 years and in February 2018 Gibraltar was represented at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament for the first time. Gibraltar is proud to provide these opportunities for young people: we want to be progressive, active members of the Commonwealth, working with our family for a productive, sustainable future for all.

Gibraltar also gains a lot politically through our participation in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the networking that we are able to conduct through its meetings. Indeed, at the height of Spain’s threats to Gibraltar’s sovereignty in 2013, the CPA adopted a resolution stating that the political pressure exerted against Gibraltar by Spain, including the lengthy border queues, was totally unacceptable. In addition to the numerous resolutions of support for Gibraltar and for our right to self-determination, EU members of the CPA also vowed to raise the issue with their respective Members of the European Parliament. Four years later HM Government of Gibraltar was delighted recent years, UK services exports to Commonwealth states to host the 2017 CPA British Islands and Mediterranean almost tripled from £8.5 billion in 1999 to £22.3 billion Region (BIMR) conference. Forty Parliamentarians from in 2015. This is where Gibraltar might come in: 90% of 11 countries met to establish links and networks that we Gibraltar’s passporting services are conducted through the can use to our mutual benefit post-Brexit. Addressing UK. If the future opportunity for growth is in the exporting the Conference, I stressed that the strength of the of services for the UK, this plays to Gibraltar’s greatest Commonwealth is in its diversity. Going forward, if we are strength. Our geography too, can assist. More than 1/3 of to continue to be instruments of democracy and prosperity, Commonwealth countries are African nations and Gibraltar, we must be flexible and understanding in our approach and as the gatekeeper of the southern Mediterranean, is make the most of our unique experiences and perspectives. strategically placed for trade in both goods and services.

I often describe the Constitutional position of Gibraltar as It is only natural that even Commonwealth states have, in “devo max”, meaning that we have more self-government recent years, been focusing increasingly on regional trade than any of the devolved administrations. We are therefore and cooperation. The BIMR region may have an increased in a strong position to do business with and otherwise role in coming years in ensuring continued access for work together with Commonwealth countries. As Lord EU member states to the UK market, and vice versa. This Luce has pointed out, there is plenty of opportunity for may be particularly true for Malta and Cyprus, the only Commonwealth nations to work together as equal partners. two countries who will enjoy both Commonwealth and EU Economic trade within the network is growing at a very fast membership post-Brexit. Gibraltar enjoys a good bilateral pace, around 4%, and Gibraltar must be a part of this in the relationship with both, and there may be a role for us here, long term. too. Whilst it is not clear how a post-Brexit UK will advantage Commonwealth trade, Gibraltar may increasingly look Whilst we have to date been concentrating our diplomatic towards expanding our services economy to passporting efforts on the European Union and the United Nations, financial services between Commonwealth states and the Gibraltar is eager and ready to develop even deeper ties United Kingdom. with the Commonwealth. Indeed, the Commonwealth flag will replace the European Union flag after Brexit as a There are, therefore, clear opportunities for increased symbolic gesture of the strengthening of economic ties and Commonwealth integration and trade, but there are also the establishment of trade agreements between Gibraltar limitations on this. Gibraltar is an active and enthusiastic and other Commonwealth states post-Brexit. Of course, associate member that shares and embraces Commonwealth Gibraltar will also form part of any trade deals that the values, and has both a lot to give and a lot to gain from the United Kingdom does after Brexit, and this will increasingly network. We engage politically across the Commonwealth, and mean with fellow Commonwealth Members. particularly within the BIMR region, and have been grateful for their support in the face of Spanish aggression in 2013. We Although Gibraltar is not a full member, there is huge have also been willing providers of aid and support in areas potential for Gibraltar to develop its own trade with where our strengths and expertise have been useful to other the Commonwealth outside of those that the United members of the family. The majority of Gibraltar’s financial Kingdom does for itself. Indeed, according to the Office for services business is done via the United Kingdom, and we have National Statistics, whilst a reduction in UK exports to the a unique opportunity to act as a bridge between the UK, the Commonwealth is consistent with falling global trade in Commonwealth, particularly the BIMR, and the European Union. TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

HRH The Prince of Wales calls upon the Commonwealth family of nations to urgently and collectively rise to the challenge of protecting our planet’s ecosystems – to ensure a safer, more secure, more prosperous and fairer future.

s in most families, there are striking and recognisable Afeatures that identify us all as members of the Commonwealth. Our shared values, history and FXOWXUHGHÀQHWKHYHU\HVVHQFH of our Commonwealth identity and guide and inform all that we seek to achieve together. But it is the fascinating diversity which exists across and within the 53 member countries – from which I have learnt so much on the many visits I have made throughout the Commonwealth during the last 64 years – which is what makes this family of nations quite unlike any other and which, I happen to think, is its greatest strength. Unity in diversity is something to be celebrated and cherished, not just for its own intrinsic value but because, it seems to me, it offers the world the very best hope of addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. These challenges, while not insurmountable, are urgent and profound. From climate change to rapid urbanisation, economic instability to global security, there is no challenge facing our world to which the Commonwealth is immune. Water, energy and food insecurity stalk our most vulnerable populations and communities. The relentless destruction RIRXUIRUHVWVDQGWKHRYHUÀVKLQJ and pollution of our oceans are the by-products of a system which seems His Royal Highness hell-bent on testing this unique and The Prince of Wales miraculous planet of ours to destruction.

14 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

and restores. This Circular Economy, as it has come to be known, offers us the best chance we have of rising to the challenge before it is too late. Now is the time to act. We simply do not have the luxury of deferring the necessary action to a future generation. The urgency and immediacy of the challenge worries me deeply, as so many Commonwealth countries and their people are now The Prince of Wales on the front line of climate change. standing inside a In this regard it is perhaps worth hurricane wrecked considering how the Commonwealth school on the British may hold the solutions. The Virgin Islands, extraordinary wealth of ideas and the November 2017. potent blend of traditional knowledge

Credit: Clarence House and cutting-edge ingenuity – so often represented in the under-utilised capacity of the many Commonwealth professional associations, on The urgency and immediacy of which the 2.4 billion people of the Commonwealth can draw – offers us the challenge worries me deeply, as unlimited potential to effect change in our world. so many Commonwealth countries I pray, therefore, that the Commonwealth Heads of and their people are now on the Government Meeting in 2018 will not only strengthen the bonds between front line of climate change. our nations and the people within them, but will resolve – with real courage and imagination – to address It is a planet which – as I fear we therefore, that we rise to the challenge these global challenges and thereby to sometimes forget – we share. We tend of protecting these ecosystems, and the set the rest of the world an example of to be preoccupied with the borders unique array of life they sustain. A one- the path we need to take. WKDWGHÀQHWKHQDWLRQVRIWKHZRUOG VL]HÀWVDOODSSURDFKVLPSO\FDQQRWEH Like all families, by facing the and which, quite literally, divide us. the answer. future together we can achieve so Less appreciated is the extent to which As so many of the religious much more than we ever could we are united by the global commons and cultural traditions of the alone. By working towards a of atmosphere and ocean and how it Commonwealth have understood for common future, built not only on is the shared global systems that lie millennia, our world – and all the shared associations and values, but between and around our countries creatures who share it – can only be also on an innovative and effective that in the end sustain us. These are, sustained in the long-term by working partnership between the public, quite literally, our Common Wealth. in harmony with nature. I cannot help private and non-governmental Covering more than two thirds of but think that we need to embrace an sectors, we will ensure a safer, the Earth’s surface, the ocean is a vital understanding of development that more secure, more prosperous and component in our life support system; builds partnerships and establishes an fairer future for our children and so, too, is the thin shell of gases that economic model that is regenerative grandchildren. There could scarcely envelopes our planet, protecting us from and that creates, uses, recovers, recycles be a more important goal. harmful radiation, recycling freshwater and mediating the weather and climate we all experience. Yet, for too long, we have taken these fundamental Like all families, by facing V\VWHPVDQGWKHLQHVWLPDEOHEHQHÀWV they provide, for granted. There is the future together we can a desperately urgent need for us to concern ourselves with repairing the achieve so much more than we VHOILQÁLFWHGGDPDJHWKDWZHFDQQR longer afford to ignore. It is vital, ever could alone.

15 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH

Dr Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta and outgoing Commonwealth Chair-in-Offi ce, proudly describes Malta’s commitment to the role and the Commonwealth’s tangible achievements during their tenure.

At the start of our chairmanship’s tenure it was our target to work bottom-up by reviving the Commonwealth group of nations from the grassroots level upwards.

Dr Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister, Malta, and outgoing Commonwealth Chair-in-Offi ce

16 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

he Commonwealth is unique. the successful outcomes from the United facility will play an important role in Its uniqueness lies not only in its Nations Framework Convention on HQKDQFLQJWUDGHDQGLQYHVWPHQWÀQDQFH Tvaried composition of members Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP21, particularly for small and vulnerable but also in how it transmits its shared more widely known as the historic 2015 Commonwealth states with limited values. The Commonwealth Heads of Paris Agreement on Climate Change. DFFHVVWRLQWHUQDWLRQDOWUDGHÀQDQFH Government meeting is a case in point. It was then, in April 2016, that Malta and is estimated that it can potentially Fifty-three politically, economically, alongside other small and vulnerable VXSSRUWDQLQFUHPHQWDOWUDGHÁRZRI geographically and socially diverse states in the Commonwealth signed the almost US$ 1 billion over three years. countries come together as one to UNFCCC Treaty. However, assistance in combatting positively contribute to the securitisation As a small island state, we can the effects of climate change, and of our futures, on the basis of our shared talk from experience. We know how building resilience and protecting values and history. dependent some countries can be on our our oceans goes beyond any form of For the past 30 months (until April, oceans and seas. Bearing this in mind, monetary securitisation. We must also 2018), Malta has had the privilege DQGÀUPLQWKHEHOLHIWKDWRXUIXWXUH focus on capacity-building. The Small and honour of acting as Chair-in- depends on the health of our oceans, we States Centre of Excellence, which is 2IÀFHWRWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK7KLV sought to push fellow Commonwealth currently being set up in Malta, aims is a position which carries a certain member states to recognise the to deliver targeted capacity-building degree of responsibility and a wealth importance of conservation and the programmes and engage in the sharing of opportunity; that of shaping and sustainable use of the oceans, seas RIEHVWSUDFWLFHVLQGHDOLQJZLWKVSHFLÀF determining the road to securing the and marine resources for sustainable challenges for small states. This project future of the Commonwealth. In fact, development. Our geography makes has been discussed and endorsed it was by no coincidence that Malta’s us fully understand that our marine by Commonwealth leaders at two Commonwealth Heads of Government resources, habitats and biodiversity consecutive Commonwealth Heads of Meeting in 2015 – entitled Adding need to be secured and protected. We Government Meetings. The objectives Global Value – focused on how the are proud to have had the opportunity of the centre are to facilitate targeted and Commonwealth family could leave an to host the Our Ocean, An Ocean predominantly internet-based capacity- imprint on the future of our planet. for Life conference in October 2017, building programmes in areas that At the start of our chairmanship’s which served as a platform to initiate EHQHÀWVPDOOVWDWHVDVZHOODVWRVHUYHDV tenure it was our target to work a commitment to change. As a united a focal point for sharing of best practices bottom-up by reviving the Commonwealth, we must continue to LQDUHDVWKDWEHQHÀWVPDOOVWDWHV7KH Commonwealth group of nations strive towards ensuring that our future centre would target its services at the from the grassroots level upwards: will have healthy, safe and clean oceans. 30 small states of the Commonwealth through enhanced people-to-people 7KLVLVUHÁHFWHGLQWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK·V but not be restricted to these alone, exchanges, business opportunities, creation of its Blue Charter, to reach as it seeks to internationally deliver renewed diplomatic relations and the a level of cooperation between ‘excellence’ in its chosen areas of focus. strengthening of already established Commonwealth countries to implement Malta did its best to work towards practices and contacts. their commitments on sustainable tangible results and to lead by example as Malta also spearheaded efforts to development, particularly those related &KDLULQ2IÀFH7KH\HDUVRIGLVFXVVLRQ help the Commonwealth strengthen its to Sustainable Development Goal 14. to renew the Commonwealth’s functions role on the world stage and contribute Just as forests are the lungs of the earth, culminated in Malta’s 2015 CHOGM to global issues that affect us all, such the oceans are its blood. ²DGHÀQLQJPRPHQWZKHUHZHVWDUWHG as on climate change. One cannot talk Actions speak louder than words, looking at our present with a forward- of change for a better and different but where resources are limited, action looking view, rather than focusing ZRUOGZLWKRXWWDNLQJWKHÀUVWVWHSV might be hard to achieve. With this in on our past. And now that we have at initiating these forces of change. mind, at CHOGM 2015, Malta launched LGHQWLÀHGZKDWLVQHHGHGWRVHFXUHWKH The Commonwealth’s collective the Commonwealth Trade Finance &RPPRQZHDOWK·VUHOHYDQFHWRKHOSÀQG effort on climate change adaptation Facility to substantially increase trade solutions to today’s global challenges, it and mitigation is necessary, especially DQGLQYHVWPHQWÀQDQFHSDUWLFXODUO\IRU is time to reach the next level. CHOGM when considering that its membership small states and developing economies 2018 will be an opportunity to start includes 30 small states, 24 of which ZLWKVSHFLÀFQHHGV6PDOOHUDQGSRRUHU working on tangible change. are small island developing states at HFRQRPLHVIDFHLQFUHDVLQJGLIÀFXOW\ The Commonwealth must remain risk of disappearing forever. Passivity in tapping affordable international committed to its people, continue to will not prevent a rise in sea level, water WUDGHÀQDQFHDQGLQIDFWWKHUDWLRQDOH look at its future and build towards its shortages or extreme weather events. behind this initiative is to create a Credit longevity. It must evolve with time and Climate change is an uphill struggle that Enhancement Fund through donations use its unique characteristics to be a requires collective effort. Malta is proud from Commonwealth member states, world leader amongst others. It has a of the fact that whilst it was Chair-in- with a view to facilitating greater access common voice that it can use to project 2IÀFHZHPDQDJHGWRFUHDWHWKHPXFK WRWUDGHÀQDQFHLQWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK its message to the world – that our future needed momentum that culminated in small states. It is envisaged that the depends on sustainability.

17 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

CHOGM 2018 IS A WATERSHED FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

Dr Timothy S Harris, Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, believes the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is a pivotal summit to catalyse collective action and create opportunities for prosperity, equality, sustainability and security for all Commonwealth citizens.

or many, the Commonwealth 3DFLÀF²DUHVXIIHULQJZLWKLQFUHDVLQJ has long been and continues to frequency the effect of catastrophic Fbe a great force for good. It adds climactic events. They see and feel value to the lives of countless millions the Commonwealth’s ability to add of peoples across four continents. To value when democracy is entrenched many of them, the Commonwealth’s and bolstered by strong institutions advantage lies, inter alia, in its and the rule of law. They feel it when ability to support free, fair and their human rights are respected and representative elections through its protected; and when they see their valuable observation missions. This is leaders come together in common cause UHÁHFWHGLQWKHVXSSRUWIRUGHPRFUDF\ WRZRUNIRUWKHPZKHWKHUWRÀJKWIRU and good governance. In addition, gender equality, greater social inclusion, this Commonwealth advantage and people empowerment or girls’ education. Dr Timothy S Harris, the related tangible value have been As Commonwealth leaders meet Prime Minister, Federation of demonstrated, over the years, through against a backdrop of the historic St. Kitts and Nevis Commonwealth advocacy on behalf capital city of London; again, I of inherently vulnerable small island have an abiding faith that through states and other vulnerable states. our collective leadership, solidarity Likewise, it comes from attracting and partnership, this Heads of well-deserved, international attention Government Meeting can be a to the issues of these small countries’ GHÀQLQJPRPHQWDZDWHUVKHG high-indebtedness; the HIV and At Malta 2015, I detected a AIDS pandemic and the social and developing consensus among Heads economic costs of non-communicable of the need to recommit to the diseases. Commonwealth and to steering this These people have seen the beloved institution in the direction Commonwealth advantage when it – where whilst it could never be all raises awareness of the existential threat things to all people and address all that climate change poses to lives and our individual priorities – it would livelihood. Commonwealth nations – however, become more focused including those in the Caribbean and the on adding even greater value. I felt

18 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

Commonwealth Heads of Government at the 2015 CHOGM in Malta. Credit: Flickr/DIRCO Credit:

add value. The Commonwealth’s true To many the Commonwealth’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to touch real lives in real ways. advantage lies in its ability London sits at the crossroads of the world in so many ways. It is dynamic to support free, fair and and continues to reinvent itself into a OHDGLQJPRGHUQFLW\UHÁHFWLYHRIWKH representative elections through its values of the Commonwealth. It would be reassuring should CHOGM London valuable observation missions. build positively on CHOGM Valetta. I am hopeful that at this meeting, we can retain the Commonwealth’s colleague Heads were equally eager to the Commonwealth’s legacies of shared pioneering spirit; that it can create transform the way the Commonwealth commitments risk being set aside. collective opportunities for member worked for the better and to do Change, we all accept, is inevitable states to mobilise the wherewithal more through effective partnership, and often necessary. But change to act nationally. If we succeed in exchange of best practices and should not be predicated solely addressing the global commons by strengthening mechanisms to RQÀQDQFLDOKHIWQRUVKRXOGLWEH that threaten us, commit the stimulate opportunities for our used to steer the organisation away necessary support to revitalise the collective prosperity, equality, from its core competence in favour &RPPRQZHDOWKLQDZD\WKDWLWLVÀWWR sustainability and security. of narrow national priorities. The tackle tomorrow’s problems without The Commonwealth has long Commonwealth as an agent of change losing sight of its legacy role, then been a pioneer in the cause of justice has always been consensus-focused CHOGM 2018 would indeed have been through capacity building. It has long and demand-driven. It will surely that important watershed facilitating a been a champion of the marginalised cease to be relevant to the lives of far more prosperous, more sustainable, and the downtrodden; and a steadfast its people if it fails to understand more secure and above all a much fairer advocate for the invisible and them, their collective needs and to future for all. voiceless. It has been an architect of opportunity and hope, a facilitator and reliable agent of positive change. The Commonwealth has often been I have an abiding faith that bold and unapologetic in promoting Commonwealth values and principles through our collective leadership, as outlined in its Charter. I fear, however, that if we are not solidarity and partnership, this Heads watchful and true to the ethos of the Commonwealth, our future history of Government Meeting can be a could be dramatically different. It would be a history, where regrettably defining moment - a watershed.

19 BECOME A 150 FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN THIS OUR 150TH YEAR

1894 – 2016 1957 – 2017 1883 – 2018

Champion of Equality Trusted Convenor Promoter of Youth The RCS has long championed the Statesmen of newly independent Each year, since 1883, the RCS use of dialogue to challenge the most VœÕ˜ÌÀˆiÃ]ˆ˜VÕ`ˆ˜} >˜>½ÃwÀÃÌ*Àˆ“i has encouraged the creativity and pressing Commonwealth issues and Minister, Kwame Nkrumah in 1957, imagination of tens of thousands of has been at the forefront of debate sought the platform of the RCS to young people. With its rich history on gender discrimination, domestic share their visions for the future. In of empowering young voices and violence and child marriage within the the 80’s Oliver Tambo, Thabo Mbeki, recognising the achievement of Commonwealth. As far back as 1894, Chief Buthelezi and Desmond Tutu aspiring writers, the international the RCS promoted Gender Equality, joined us to speak about South Africa’s schools’ writing contest, now inviting a woman to read a paper future and Nelson Mandela gave his The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay >Ì>“iï˜}vœÀÌ iwÀÃÌ̈“i>˜` wÀÃÌ1«ÀiÃÃVœ˜viÀi˜VivÀœ“Ì i, - Competition, continues to be a admitting women as Fellows to the in 1990. This reputation continues and vehicle for the development of Society in 1922. Since 2016 we have saw us convene a number of former young people’s literacy and critical enabled a youth voice to address the *ÀiÈ`i˜ÌȘÓä£Ç̜`ˆÃVÕÃüi>ۈ˜} thinking skills, helping to expand United Nations on gender issues. no one behind’ in global development. their world view.

Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, the RCS champions human rights, equality, democracy and sustainable development.

For 150 years The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) has «>Þi`>i>`ˆ˜}Àœiˆ˜«Àœ“œÌˆ˜}Ì iÛ>ÕiÃÌ >Ì`iw˜i RCS 150 Fellows receive: the Commonwealth. • An invitation to a prestigious celebration of the In this our 150th year, we invite you to donate £150 RCS’ 150 years to The Royal Commonwealth Society, becoming an • A commemorative gift RCS 150 Fellow and helping us to continue our work • Inclusion on the RCS 150 Fellow Register of improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth • Books and magazines throughout the year citizens around the world.

www.thercs.org TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

CHAMPIONING THE VALUE AND VALUES OF THE MODERN COMMONWEALTH

Michael Lake, Director of The Royal Commonwealth Society, celebrates the Society’s 150 anniversary and considers how the modern Commonwealth can have a vibrant and useful future in our changing world.

KHÀUVWKRPHRI7KH5R\DO E\FXOWXUHDQGVSRUWVE\SURIHVVLRQV &RPPRQZHDOWK6RFLHW\ DQGVRRQ7KHVWURQJERQGVRI TIRXQGHGLQE\$5 VKDUHGODQJXDJHDQGLQPRVWFDVHV 5RFKHXQGHUWKHQDPHRIWKH WKHDSSOLFDWLRQRIWKHFRPPRQODZ ¶&RORQLDO6RFLHW\·FRQVLVWHGRIWZR WRJHWKHUZLWKDEURDGO\YDOXHVGULYHQ URRPVLQ6XIIRON6WUHHW3DOO0DOO DSSURDFKWRFLYLOVRFLHW\DUHWKHJOXH ,QWKHSUHÀ[¶5R\DO·ZDV WKDWKROGVLWDOOWRJHWKHU VDQFWLRQHGE\4XHHQ9LFWRULD7KH 7KHUHLVQRGRXEWWKDWLQWKHODVW LQWHUYHQLQJ\HDUVKDYHÁDVKHGE\ GHFDGHRUPRUHWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK DQGWKHHYHUSUHVHQWWKHPHKDVEHHQ KDVH[SHULHQFHGDGHFOLQH,WV WKHDJLOLW\RIWKH6RFLHW\WRDGDSW UHOHYDQFHKDVEHHQTXHVWLRQHGDQGLW WRDFKDQJLQJZRUOGDQGDFKDQJLQJ KDVQRWVKRZQLWVHOIWREHDPDWHULDO &RPPRQZHDOWK IDFWRULQIRUHLJQSROLF\WKURXJKRXWLWV Michael Lake CBE, 7KHPRGHUQ&RPPRQZHDOWKLV PHPEHUVKLS0HDQZKLOH+HU0DMHVW\ Director, The Royal YHU\PXFKPRUHWKDQWKHDVVHPEO\ DV+HDGRIWKH&RPPRQZHDOWKKDV Commonwealth Society RIJRYHUQPHQWVDQGRIÀFLDOV,WLVD EHHQDQLPSRUWDQWLQÁXHQFH7KH QHWZRUNRISHRSOHVE\IDUWKHPRVW XQVWLQWLQJDQGFRQVLVWHQWJXLGDQFH LGHQWLÀDEOHJURXSLQJRQWKHSODQHWDQG DQGHQGRUVHPHQWWKDW7KH4XHHQKDV OLNHDOOODUJHDQGWKULYLQJQHWZRUNV JLYHQWRLWVLQVWLWXWLRQVDQGDFWLYLWLHV LQWKHPRGHUQDJHLWEHKDYHVDQG KDYHEHHQLQVSLUDWLRQDODQGFUXFLDODW GHYHORSVLQZD\VWKDWFRQYHQWLRQDO GLIÀFXOWWLPHV SURFHVVHVÀQGKDUGWRH[SODLQRUWR 7KH&RPPRQZHDOWKQRZÀQGV NHHSSDFHZLWK7KH&RPPRQZHDOWK LWVHOIDWVRPHWKLQJRIDFURVVURDG KDVHPHUJHGLQWKLVWHFKQRORJLFDO $VRIÀFLDOVDQGOHDGHUVPHHWDWWKH HUDLQDZD\WKDWLVRUJDQLFUDWKHU &RPPRQZHDOWK+HDGVRI*RYHUQPHQW WKDQSODQQHG,WLVZRYHQWRJHWKHUE\ 0HHWLQJLQ/RQGRQDQG:LQGVRUWKH\ OLQNDJHVRXWVLGHRIJRYHUQPHQWE\WKH KDYHWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WRUHYLWDOLVHWKLV PRYHPHQWDQGVHWWOHPHQWRISHRSOH YHU\PRGHUQQHWZRUN,PDJLQDWLRQZLOO

21 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

QHHGWREHDSSOLHG7KH&RPPRQZHDOWK VKRXOGFRQFHQWUDWHRQZKDWLWFDQGR Launched in 2015, DQGDYRLGZKDWLWLVOHVVZHOOSODFHG The Queen’s WRGHOLYHU7KHUHQHHGVWREHDFOHDU Commonwealth GLUHFWLRQRIWUDYHOLQUHFRJQLVLQJWKDW Canopy (QCC) is a ,QGLDUHSUHVHQWVQHDUO\SHUFHQWRI pan-Commonwealth WKH&RPPRQZHDOWKSRSXODWLRQ7KHUH network of forest QHHGVWREHDIRFXVRQSURVSHULW\DQG conservation VHFXULW\WKHNH\DWWHQWLRQJUDEEHUVIRU projects. JRYHUQPHQWVZKLOVWUHFRJQLVLQJWKH FDSDFLW\WKDWWKH&RPPRQZHDOWKKDVWR WDFNOHJUDQGFKDOOHQJHVLQWKHÀHOGVRI KHDOWKDQGHQYLURQPHQWIRUH[DPSOHLI LWWXUQVLWVPLQGWRGRLQJVR 7KHUHDUHPDQ\H[DPSOHVRIWKH ZD\VLQZKLFKWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK ZRUNVLQWKLVPDQQHU7KH4XHHQ·V &RPPRQZHDOWK(VVD\&RPSHWLWLRQ LVWKHZRUOG·VROGHVWLQWHUQDWLRQDO VFKRROV·ZULWLQJFRPSHWLWLRQ

HVWDEOLVKHGLQ0DQDJHGE\7KH Credit: Cool Earth 5R\DO&RPPRQZHDOWK6RFLHW\DQG WKHPRVWZLGHO\HQWHUHGE\\RXQJ SHRSOHIURPDOOFRUQHUVRIWKHZRUOG LWRIIHUVDOO&RPPRQZHDOWK\RXWK The Commonwealth should DJHGDQGXQGHUWKHRSSRUWXQLW\ WRH[SUHVVWKHLUKRSHVIRUWKH concentrate on what it can do and IXWXUHRSLQLRQVRQWKHSUHVHQWDQG WKRXJKWVRQWKHSDVWWKURXJKWKH avoid what it is less well placed to ZULWWHQZRUG7KHFRPSHWLWLRQLV XVHGE\LQGLYLGXDOVDQGWHDFKHUVWR deliver. EXLOGFRQÀGHQFHGHYHORSZULWLQJ VNLOOVVXSSRUWFUHDWLYLW\DQG HQFRXUDJHFULWLFDOWKLQNLQJXVLQJ FRXQWULHVZDQWLQJWRKDUQHVVWKHLU WKHFDSDFLW\RIWKH&RPPRQZHDOWKWR OLWHUDF\WRHPSRZHU\RXQJSHRSOH FROOHFWLYHH[SHUWLVHDQGUHVRXUFHVWR DFWFROOHFWLYHO\WRVKDUHEHVWSUDFWLFH 7KHFRPSHWLWLRQLVZLGHO\DFFHSWHG SURWHFWWKHZRUOG·VIRUHVWVµ DQGWRLQVSLUH\RXQJSHRSOH DVDVXFFHVVDQGLVDQHIÀFLHQW 7KH4&&SUHVHQWVDUDUH ,QDVLPLODUYHLQWKH$VVRFLDWH DQGLQH[SHQVLYHZD\RIXVLQJWKH RSSRUWXQLW\WRXQLWHWKHZKROH )HOORZVKLSRI7KH5R\DO LQÁXHQFHRIWKH&RPPRQZHDOWKWR &RPPRQZHDOWKIDPLO\DQGVDYHRQH &RPPRQZHDOWK6RFLHW\VHUYHVDV UHDFKGHYHORSLQJ\RXQJPLQGVDQGWR RIWKHZRUOG·VPRVWLPSRUWDQWQDWXUDO DPHDQVIRUWKHPRVWLPDJLQDWLYH RIIHUDVHQVHRISHUVSHFWLYH KDELWDWV²RXUIRUHVWV%\FUHDWLQJ LQTXLULQJDQGHQHUJHWLF\RXQJSHRSOH ,VKRXOGDOVRPHQWLRQ7KH DSDQ&RPPRQZHDOWKQHWZRUNRI IURPDOOEDFNJURXQGVWRMRLQDFLUFOH 4XHHQ·V&RPPRQZHDOWK&DQRS\ IRUHVWFRQVHUYDWLRQSURMHFWVWKH RIWKHOLNHPLQGHGXVLQJPDLQO\VRFLDO 4&& :KHQODXQFKLQJLWDWWKH 4&&ZLOOPDUN+HU0DMHVW\7KH PHGLDWRHQJDJHRQWKHLVVXHVWKDWZLOO ODVW&RPPRQZHDOWK+HDGVRI 4XHHQ·VVHUYLFHWRWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK VKDSHWKHLUIXWXUH *RYHUQPHQW0HHWLQJLQ0DOWDLQ ZKLOHFRQVHUYLQJLQGLJHQRXVIRUHVWV 7KHVHDUHEXWDIHZH[DPSOHVRIWKH +HU0DMHVW\7KH4XHHQVDLG IRUIXWXUHJHQHUDWLRQV7KH4&& &RPPRQZHDOWKZRUNLQJLQSUDFWLFH ´,KDYHEHHQHVSHFLDOO\WRXFKHG KDVEURXJKWWRJHWKHUSDUWQHUV DQGWKH\RIIHUWDQWDOLVLQJJOLPSVHVRI E\RQHVXFKSURMHFW7KH4XHHQ·V DQGFRXQWULHVIURPDOPRVWDOOWKH WKHZD\VLQZKLFKLWFRXOGEHH[SDQGHG &RPPRQZHDOWK&DQRS\ZKLFKKDV &RPPRQZHDOWK·VPHPEHUVLQDQXOWUD 0\DVSLUDWLRQLVWRVHHWKH EHHQSURSRVHGE\&RPPRQZHDOWK ORZFRVWLQLWLDWLYHWKDWGHPRQVWUDWHV &RPPRQZHDOWKDVVXPLQJDFOHDUO\ UHFRJQLVHGOHDGHUVKLSUROHIRU &RPPRQZHDOWKFRXQWULHVWREH H[SOLFLWO\SURXGRIWKHLUPHPEHUVKLS My aspiration is to see the DQGIRUQHLJKERXULQJFRXQWULHVWREH VHHNLQJHQJDJHPHQWE\DVVRFLDWLRQ Commonwealth assuming a clearly 7KH&RPPRQZHDOWKLVDVXEVWDQWLDO DVVHWEXWRQO\LILWUHPDLQVYLEUDQWDQG recognised leadership role. XVHIXO

22 Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, The Royal Commonwealth Society promotes the value and the values of the Commonwealth. We champion human rights, democracy and sustainable development across the 53 member states, working to improve the lives and prospects of individuals.

CAMPAIGNING EMPOWERING YOUTH In partnership with other Recognising the demographic organisations, the RCS campaigns importance and potential of young on behalf of Commonwealth people in the Commonwealth, the citizens to promote human rights, RCS promotes young peoples’ to end early and forced marriage, © Plan International / Nina Ruud voice and leadership, creating to secure equal rights for opportunities through youth marginalised groups and to ensure leadership programmes and sustainable development. network building.

CELEBRATING THE COMMONWEALTH The RCS organises the largest celebration of the Commonwealth and its values each year, the multi-faith Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey, >œ˜}ÜˆÌ  ˆ} «Àœwi>Ü>À` ceremonies and receptions.

FACILITATING DEBATE EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS Convening panels and round With its resounding success tables for strategic discussion and in encouraging over 13,000 the exchange of ideas, the RCS school children to submit essays continues its support of policy to its competition each year, development and advocacy the RCS works to promote the campaigns bringing together Commonwealth at the earliest leaders from business, diplomacy, stages of education and to inspire academia and civil society. the young to play a part.

RESEARCH AND REPORTING The RCS partners with other NGOs to produce carefully researched and thought-provoking publications such as ‘A Commonwealth Toolkit for Policy Progress on LGBT Rights’ and ‘A Passage from India – Improving UK visitor visas for Indian nationals’.

www.thercs.org @TheRCSLondon facebook.com/thercs TheRCSociety

The Royal Commonwealth Society is a registered charity in England and Wales (226748), incorporated by Royal Charter. TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES: SPORT AS A FORCE FOR GOOD

Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), explains the commitment of the organisation to ensuring that the benefi ts of the Games are far-reaching and stretch way beyond a thrilling 11 days of sport.

veryone across the HQVXUHWKDWWKHEHQHÀWVRIWKH*DPHV Commonwealth sports stretch beyond the thrilling impact of Emovement believes in the 11 days of sport. exceptional power of sport as a force All our efforts were focused on for good. A force that brings us delivering worldwide recognition together, reconciles our differences and respect for the Gold Coast and and has the inspiring potential to Queensland, as well as jobs and change lives for the better. A force economic growth and community that drives our commitment to engagement right across Australia humanity, equality and destiny. A and, above all, the promise of greater force that encapsulates our passion for reconciliation and social justice. It’s and belief in the triumphant, generous ZK\*ROG&RDVWZDVWKHÀUVW spirit of humanity. Mega Sporting Event in Australia Louise Martin CBE, We saw this every day, in action, as with a Reconciliation Action Plan, President, Commonwealth the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton why Festival 2018 celebrated the Games Federation Relay visited every terrain and time diverse and dynamic cultures of zone of the Commonwealth. The the Commonwealth, and why we baton was a powerful, celebratory ZHUHSURXGWREHWKHÀUVWPXOWL and tangible symbol of today’s sport event in the world to create Commonwealth Games – carrying Her DWUXO\OHYHOSOD\LQJÀHOGRIJHQGHU Majesty’s message of peace and unity – equality – with an exactly equal and celebrated and showcased today’s number of medal opportunities for Modern Commonwealth as it is passed men and women. These very clear from athletes to citizens, community examples of progress are the reason leaders to school children. the resurgent Commonwealth Sport The opening ceremony of Movement is alive and thriving today. the Commonwealth Games on 7KHVHVRFLHWDOGULYHQFDXVHVDUHWKH Australia’s Gold Coast last April – Commonwealth Sport Movement’s and the spectacular festival of sport, raison d'être in the 21st century, and community and culture that followed why we stand apart from any other – demonstrated just how far we have sporting movement or institution come, and how committed we are to worldwide.

24 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

Usain Bolt wins gold in Mens 4x100 metres relay at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

This vision is indeed brought to Since the 2014 Commonwealth These are just some examples of OLIHE\WKH&RPPRQZHDOWKLWVHOID Games in Glasgow, we have worked how one city, in one nation, with voluntary association of 53 countries hard to shift the dial on the relevance, the power of one Games made a RUDVSHURXU*DPHVGHÀQLWLRQ impact and importance of the difference. And Gold Coast 2018 71 nations and territories, since the Commonwealth Games in today’s has capitalised on this momentum – Commonwealth Games offers the JOREDOVSRUWLQJDQGVRFLDOSROLWLFDO delivering an inspiring and inclusive unique and thrilling opportunity HQYLURQPHQW²UHÁHFWLQJRQZKRDQG HYHQWWKDWZHEHOLHYHUHGHÀQHV for home nations, territories and what the Commonwealth Family is the power and potential of major dependencies – such as Scotland, and why a Mega Sporting Event of the sporting events on a global scale. Jersey, Norfolk Island and St Helena Commonwealth Games’ stature is so I’ve no doubt that the next Games ²WRFRPSHWHXQGHUWKHLURZQÁDJ  important in the modern world. hosts in Birmingham, 2022 – as they Among our membership are some This has led us to being very explicit ambitiously aspire to stage an inspiring of the world’s largest and smallest about the value we place on host event that showcases the diverse and countries, from India, with over communities and citizens, and the dynamic cultures of Birmingham and 1.2 billion people to Nauru with positive impact we seek to achieve in all the West Midlands in the UK and the a population of just 10,000. Our that we do. wider Commonwealth – will take the combined population of 2.4 billion • Protecting, promoting and Games movement even further. represents a third of the world’s total safeguarding clean athletes Today, the Commonwealth Games population. More than 60 per cent • 3XEOLVKLQJSUH*DPHVDQGSRVW )HGHUDWLRQ &*) LVIDUPRUHWKDQ of Commonwealth citizens are under Games Human Rights reports the curator of a great Games. Our the age of 30. • Embracing the fair living wage strategic blueprint, Transformation We proudly unite under – and work • Procuring ethically and sustainably, 2022, marks a historic change in the hard to deliver – the Commonwealth DQGLPSOHPHQWLQJFRPPXQLW\EHQHÀW PRYHPHQW·VIRFXVIURPWKHIRXU\HDU Charter, bringing together the values clauses in our tenders and contracts cycle of overseeing Commonwealth and aspirations which connect our • Changing the face of accessibility Games to a wider, ambitious role of diverse membership, outlining our standards and services for events delivering sports leadership within the joint commitment to democracy, and tourism Commonwealth, based on partnership, human rights and the rule of law, to • Actively promoting LGBT+ rights engagement and value generation. promote peace and prosperity and and embracing diversity every single We can only do this in partnership to improve the lives of all peoples step of the way – and we thank and look forward of the Commonwealth. No matter • Promoting and fundraising for to working with all national and the person’s race or religion, sexual children’s rights through a global local governments across the RULHQWDWLRQRUJHQGHULGHQWLÀFDWLRQDOO partnership with UNICEF – where Commonwealth to drive the impact people of the Modern Commonwealth £6m was raised for children during and ambition of all Commonwealth should be treated equally. our Opening Ceremony in Glasgow Citizens through sport.

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WE MUST WORK TOGETHER FOR SHARED PEACE AND PROSPERITY

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Prime Minister of Pakistan, urges all Commonwealth Heads of Government to work collaboratively and steadfastly to confront the array of shared global challenges.

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28 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

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To meet the challenges of the globalised world together, we need to enhance the effectiveness of the Commonwealth as well as our commitment to it.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Prime Minister, Pakistan

29 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

THE POWER OF YOUTH

Angelique Pouponneau and Leon Ward, Co-Chairs of the International Youth Taskforce which is responsible for delivering and organising the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2018, explain why young people are a powerful force in the Commonwealth and should be at the centre of its decisions and actions.

he statistic that we are used to young people are often the creators, hearing about young people innovators and leaders of wonderful Tand the Commonwealth is solutions to address the issues faced that 60 per cent of its population is by their communities. They are the aged under 30. That in itself is an entrepreneurs that are employing other LPSRUWDQWMXVWLÀFDWLRQIRUZK\\RXQJ people, the teachers who are educating people should be in the spotlight their peers and they are the campaigners at all Commonwealth Heads of pushing their governments to improve working to resolve these. This Government Meetings. But, that is the lives of its citizens. is the collective power of the not the only reason. Across the Commonwealth, we Commonwealth. The real power of the Commonwealth have seen diverse groups of young Young people are not just the is not, we believe, at the Heads people leading the way over these future, they are very much the now. In of Government Meeting, but it is key issues. From the Queen’s Young 2017, we joined the Secretary-General actually the people, and the grassroots Leaders, to the Commonwealth of the Commonwealth, Rt Honourable organisations of the Member States. Scholarships and all of the networks Patricia Scotland, and the UK’s Within these grassroots movements, that exist to unite people who are Prime Minister, Theresa May, in New York to launch the road to the 2018 CHOGM. There, they committed to placing young people at the centre of the Commonwealth, because it was recognised that the organisation is only relevant if it is relevant to young people - not only as the majority stakeholder, but also because of all the contributions of young people. Every Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting signals a new hope. It also promises the revival of the desire to ensure that the values of the Commonwealth are being upheld in Member States. For young people it is the hope of new beginnings, commitments and real change for Angelique Pouponneau (Seychelles) and Leon Ward (UK), Co-Chairs of the the 60 per cent that have often felt International Youth Taskforce responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Youth marginalised and set apart from the Forum 2018, meet with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in New York, September 2017. decision-making processes.

30 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

that the Blue Charter will be adopted, Young people are often the with a Member State willing to take the lead on a Blue Charter cluster creators, innovators and leaders of focused on youth and oceans. The legacy that we want from wonderful solutions to address the this CHOGM is not only a call to action, but an actual commitment to issues faced by their communities. action on which young people can collaborate, partner and work with their governments to deliver these Young people have been enlivened either male or female as a gender, commitments. Young people can with hope and new aspirations. ensure their safety in education, work also play a key role in ensuring that They are now focused on making and society in general? These are some there is accountability for meeting our Commonwealth fairer, more of the issues on the agenda. promises made in the longer-term. secure, prosperous and sustainable, At CHOGM 2018, the list of needs Although high expectations can often but the real question is how? How and desires continues to grow, but lead to disappointment, we must set will meetings like these ensure that something different is taking place the standards and set the agenda so young people can access education across the world and among this new that we move in the right direction. without fear of violence and sexual generation of thinkers. Time zones Rest assured, CHOGM 2018 will harassment? How will meetings and geographical boundaries are not be a missed opportunity for like these ensure that islanders have now almost meaningless as young young people, we will continue to a home in the next 50 years? How people are increasingly connected advocate, network with each other will meetings like these ensure that through the use of internet and social and others, educate each other, and once young people graduate from media. At this CHOGM, there is an as outlined in the beginning of the high school or university, there will expectation among young people article, continue to be the power of be means of generating wealth that that Heads of Government will share the Commonwealth. safeguards their mental and physical their - and make commitments to wellbeing? Finally, how does the implement others’ - best practices in Twitter: person who does not subscribe to their countries. Young people hope @AngiePops11 and @Leonjward

31 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

THE CRITICAL CONTRIBUTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Yoweri Museveni, President of The Republic of Uganda, describes how engaging and investing in the Commonwealth’s considerable youth population is vitally important to member countries’ development.

t is a pleasure for me to discuss issues pertaining to young people and their contribution towards the Idevelopment of nations. The Commonwealth brings together countries that share not only a common history and language, but common values and aspirations. While we live in different countries and regions of the world, separated by thousands of miles or sharing common borders, we all share a common aspiration of turning our organisation into one where wealth is common and, therefore, truly THE COMMONWEALTH. As we assemble for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), we are reminded that improving conditions for the majority of Commonwealth citizens LVVWLOODPDMRUXQÀQLVKHGDJHQGD,QWKHVDPH ZD\ZHKDYHDGGUHVVHGWKHGHPRFUDF\GHÀFLW together as the Commonwealth, we can tackle WKLVGHYHORSPHQWGHÀFLW Uganda has the highest rate of population growth in the entire Commonwealth, and 78 per cent of Ugandans are below 30 years of age. Uganda also has some of the most enabling youth programming frameworks and initiatives in the Commonwealth fraternity and this is based on my historical attachment to young people, ULJKWIURPP\VWXGHQWGD\V, became convinced that well nurtured, well tutored and well guided young people are not Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, only an asset to their society, President, The Republic community progress and of Uganda transformation, but also an

32 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

important link between the past and present – an important umbilical cord. We need a critical mass of We need a critical mass of youth who are creators of wealth and not simply youth who are creators of wealth the guzzlers of what others produce. The youth must be at the centre of and not simply the guzzlers of the production conveyor belt and not bystanders. We need a cadre of young what others produce. people with progressive and analytical mindsets – a youth population with developmental and transformational WRUHVRXUFHDQGÀQDQFHWKH

33 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

AGEING IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Andrew Larpent, Chairman of CommonAge, asserts that the contribution of older people to a more sustainable, prosperous, fairer and peaceful age-friendly Commonwealth should not be undervalued.

opulation ageing is a challenge Society, Anchor Trust, St Monica Trust to all Commonwealth countries. and Age International, CommonAge PUntil now, the rights, needs and commissioned the Oxford Institute for contributions of older people in too Population Ageing at Oxford University many Commonwealth countries have to undertake a research project on been neglected or marginalised. This ‘Ageing in the Commonwealth’. has to change. This research explores how the The Commonwealth Association demographics and challenges of ageing for the Ageing – CommonAge – was differ across Commonwealth countries founded in 2013 in order to promote and examines how governments and the interests of older people across VRFLHWLHVDUHUHVSRQGLQJ,WLVWKHÀUVW the Commonwealth, and to promote study designed to examine ageing across the agenda of an all-age-friendly the Commonwealth and provide a Andrew Larpent, OBE, Commonwealth. A Commonwealth baseline against which future progress Chairman, CommonAge that brings together all generations, and development can be measured and tackles ageism and ensures that elders then regularly reported on at future in all countries are able to live healthy Commonwealth summits. DQGIXOÀOOLQJOLYHVLQWKHLUVHQLRU\HDUV Findings show that even in and that their dignity, human rights and the poorest and slowest ageing capacity to contribute to civil society is Commonwealth countries, where recognised and valued. a majority of deaths are still caused ,QLWVÀUVWIRXU\HDUVWKHRUJDQLVDWLRQ by communicable diseases, poor attracted support from health and care nutrition or childbirth, a large and organisations and service providers in growing proportion of the population the UK, Australia and Canada, to help is surviving to ages where elders are fund its activities. more likely to die from chronic non- With generous sponsorship support communicable conditions than anything IURPIRXQGLQJPHPEHUVWKH$EEH\ÀHOG else. Thanks to improved healthcare systems, longevity is increasing in the Commonwealth, but many older people are experiencing increasing frailty and The Commonwealth needs loneliness and may not necessarily be enjoying their extra years of life. to recognise and value the Despite the enormous diversity in population dynamics across contribution of older people to Commonwealth countries, the older population is set to grow more quickly resilient communities and than the total population (with the exception of Lesotho and Mozambique). stable civil societies. Population ageing changes the social

34 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

hard-working person because there is no gain in simple life”. An Indian writer spoke to an older lady living with dementia. He compassionately explained that, while his storyteller doesn’t remember her life events and fails to recall daily information, as a music lover, she spoke about the many varieties of classical, folk and modern music, and the much loved songs of Tagore. Mrs Ada Straughn, a 91-year-old $QRWKHUEHQHÀWRIWKLVSURMHFWLVWKDW retired teacher in Barbados, speaks personal details of historical aspects of to Kobie Broomes, 18, as part of the the Commonwealth have been recorded CommonAge Life Story project. for generations to come. Young people are the future and they certainly need to be encouraged to understand and appreciate the potential world. If Commonwealth countries are become a resource for themselves, each of the Commonwealth. In its strategic to adjust to these changes, governments other and for the wider community, are discourse, the Commonwealth has for have to rethink how they provide an important part of the infrastructure many years had an understandable and various public services in response that is needed in an ageing laudable focus on youth and the need to new pressures on households and Commonwealth. to engage with younger generations. families. As the workforce growth The CommonAge Life Story project However, there is a danger in this slows down, their future economic has clearly shown how younger people approach – that older generations growth will depend increasingly on EHQHÀWDQGFKDQJHDWWLWXGHVZKHQ become marginalised and the wisdom improvements in productivity. they properly engage with the older and experience of the older person In Commonwealth countries where generation. becomes devalued and ignored. fertility is expected to stay below The project encouraged young CommonAge is keen to encourage replacement level, it is no longer possible people (aged 15-24) to talk to an the Commonwealth to recognise the to assume a growing workforce will be older person and write about their life value of all generations, and to avoid it able to underpin increases in the tax experiences. The resulting essays give inadvertently being seen as ageist in its EDVHWRÀQDQFHLPSURYHPHQWVLQWKH privileged insights into those who have exclusive focus on youth. provision of public services. personally experienced and endured the As shown by the CommonAge Large increases in the relative complexities and challenges encountered Life Story project, the contributions size of the older population are not in newly independent countries. made by older people to a more FRQÀQHGWRKLJKLQFRPHFRXQWULHV$OO Memories of natural disasters and wars sustainable, prosperous, fairer and countries are experiencing increasing show how these events have shaped the peaceful Commonwealth should not be longevity but many are unprepared. In personal lives of the storytellers. underestimated. those countries that combine a high These young researchers also wrote The Commonwealth, in turn, national income with an already large about their experiences of speaking needs to recognise and value the and growing population share of older with the storyteller and it is clear that contribution of older people, their people, the sustainability and adequacy WKHVWRU\WHOOHUVPDGHDVLJQLÀFDQW wisdom and their experience, to of social protection arrangements impression. resilient communities and stable civil and publicly subsidised healthcare has An Australian writer commented societies. Future Commonwealth become the subject of continuing, on how much she’d learned: “I have summits should avoid the perception close and anxious scrutiny. gained more knowledge regarding that older people have little to However, it’s not only governments my country, including the names of contribute, and we ask that the that need to prepare for an ageing the many places that June had visited. Commonwealth Elders’ Forum be population. Throughout writing this story, June brought in from the margins of the Older people are a potential and I spoke about each of our lives. 2018 summit and included in the resource, and in ageing societies, they It was intriguing to learn about June’s RIÀFLDODUFKLWHFWXUHIRUWKHQH[W are an increasing one. Many businesses generation and how different it was Commonwealth Summit in Malaysia focus on attracting young employees, to mine. During this conversation, I in 2020. but there is a need to keep older realised that there is so much more for CommonAge is working for an all- workers happy, or risk an oncoming me to learn and discover". age-friendly Commonwealth in which skills and experience shortage. In Uganda, a writer noted: every citizen is valued, regardless of age. Community-based programmes that "Having listened to the story of Mrs For more details about CommonAge enable or empower older people to Ddangana, I have learned to be a visit www.commage.org

35 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

ASPIRATIONS FOR A BETTER FUTURE

His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, expresses his steadfast support of the Commonwealth and outlines examples of how his country and the Commonwealth are addressing issues of common concern.

His Majesty Sultan y Government and people Haji Hassanal join me in expressing Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Mour highest respect Waddaulah, and appreciation to Her Majesty Sultan and Yang Queen Elizabeth II for her personal Di-Pertuan, Brunei contribution to the Commonwealth Darussalam for over 60 years. As the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty’s dedication has greatly inspired all of us and represents the strength of our Commonwealth family. I would also like to thank Prime Minister Theresa May MP and the government of the United Kingdom for hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018. We welcome the theme for CHOGM 2018, ‘Towards a Common Future’, as we continue to make collective efforts towards addressing common challenges, such as protecting the environment, achieving economic prosperity and realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we strive for a more sustainable and prosperous future, CHOGM 2018 is a good opportunity to outline the Commonwealth’s priorities and aspirations. Under its current Strategic Plan, we are particularly encouraged by the emphasis on education, health, environment, economy, as well as women and youth empowerment. This is very much in line with our own aspirations, Brunei Vision 2035, that we believe will contribute towards improving the quality of life of our people.

36 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

In recognising education as key to a nation’s development, we Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas have been offering scholarships to Commonwealth citizens since EHQHÀWWLQJPRUHWKDQ Commonwealth students. We have found it very rewarding as it promotes education exchanges, fosters people- to-people contact and deepens cultural understanding. This is one small way that Brunei Darussalam aspires to improve technical assistance for the development of Commonwealth member states. Further, we have also committed to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation. The establishment of the Brunei Credit: Bahyiah Bakir Darussalam-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme in VLJQLÀHVWKHLPSRUWDQFHZH attach to enhancing human resources Brunei Darussalam is fully development and capacity-building opportunities for developing states of supportive of all the collective the Commonwealth. In the process of achieving highly efforts towards advancing the educated and skilled citizens that would contribute towards the socio-economic Commonwealth values and principles development of member states, we believe that it is important to provide a in global development issues. clean and healthy environment for all. We support the Commonwealth’s efforts in this arena and greatly appreciate The Statement on Climate Action in forecasted to reach US$1 trillion by Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) +HQFH,DPFRQÀGHQWWKDWWKH 2020, the organisation is well-placed initiative. Commonwealth will continue to be a to promote development, economic We are honoured that Her Majesty champion of small states by ensuring growth and reduce poverty as well The Queen has acknowledged our our collective voice is heard in the as accelerate intra-Commonwealth commitment to the QCC, with the international arena. trade and investment. CHOGM dedication of three of our forest We also commend the proposed 2018 presents a timely occasion for reserves. We believe that the QCC is development of the Commonwealth XVWRUHGHÀQHWUDGLQJUHODWLRQVKLSV a unique opportunity for networking Blue Charter – an initiative of the including leveraging the opportunities and facilitating knowledge exchange, Secretary-General to better manage of digital connectivity to increase trade. sharing best practices and creating the oceans. This is where the Brunei Darussalam is fully supportive new, collaborative initiatives for Commonwealth has the potential of all the collective efforts towards forest conservation. At the same time, to add value to its international advancing the Commonwealth values this will indeed create a physical and role in improving the livelihoods and principles in global development lasting legacy of Her Majesty to the of our people, notably small island LVVXHV:HDUHFRQÀGHQWWKDWWKH Commonwealth. developing states. In addition, the Commonwealth will continue to play an Climate change certainly poses a initiative will allow for member states important role in the international arena fundamental threat to all. We have to seek better economic opportunities and contribute towards the wellbeing of shown our strength by working through sustaining their ocean all human kind. together in addressing issues of resources in the pursuit of a more Lastly, I wish to express my warmest common concern and protecting prosperous future. appreciation to Patricia Scotland QC, the interests of small and vulnerable We are optimistic about our future Commonwealth Secretary-General, VWDWHV7KLVZDVH[HPSOLÀHGE\ cooperation. The Commonwealth has for her leadership, her commitment the Commonwealth’s successful the advantage of common language, towards reforming the organisation contribution to the conclusion of the institutions and legal systems. and her initiatives in ensuring Paris Agreement and the adoption Furthermore, with a combined the continued relevance of the of the Commonwealth Leaders’ SRSXODWLRQRIELOOLRQDQGWUDGHÁRZ Commonwealth.

37 THE REBIRTH OF A NATION IN A COMPETITIVE GLOBAL SETTING

The clarion call that “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” signals a profound policy shift in the management of Zimbabwe’s external relationships, with a greater emphasis now being placed on economic links, rather than political platitudes.

ECONOMIC THRUST

Our international relations are to now be characterised by an economic diplomacy thrust. This policy shift is also underpinned by a stable governance framework, which guarantees both a non-discriminatory protection for investors and a transparent dispute settlement mechanism. Furthermore, the government has now provided a legal framework recognising the stability and value of all the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.

Recognising the fact that investors’ confi dence requires constant nurturing, Zimbabwe is currently engaged in an exercise to revamp and improve the “Ease of Doing Business” conditions that would allow for the free movement of capital, profi ts and dividends. The priority consideration is to make Zimbabwe an attractive and competitive destination for foreign direct investment. To this end, the Zimbabwe government invites international investors to come and seize the abundant opportunities, which had been relegated to near dormancy by previous policies.

Appropriate economic and structural reforms are being introduced to restore fi scal and debt sustainability, with attention particularly focussed on re-engaging with the international community and to access the much needed lines of credit and fi nancial assistance. Relations with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank are set to be enhanced, so that the country benefi ts optimally from cooperative relations with these institutions in order to ensure sustainable economic growth. These results can only be achieved if Zimbabwe reaffi rms its status as a dignifi ed and trustworthy partner in business and development. That is also why in this new era, the Government of Zimbabwe has been unequivocal in declaring corruption to be its public enemy number one. Worldwide, corruption has compromised development eff orts. It will never be tolerated in our new era and it will be tackled without fear or favour and, ultimately, it will be reduced to insignifi cance everywhere throughout the country. The 2018 Budget contained within it the promise by government to address investor concerns in regards to the country’s indigenisation law. The Financial Reform Act has subsequently been passed by Parliament, with the 51 per cent - 49 per cent demand for foreign investors to concede advantage to Zimbabwean partners removed. Ownership of economic ventures will henceforth be determined by the investors themselves. The economy has thus been opened to all who desire to invest in Zimbabwe. It is now government’s fi rm policy and determination to attain “middle-income” status by 2030. Real and foreseen impediments to the achievement of that goal will be timeously addressed. At the end of it all, there are very few reserved areas of our economy. However, the direction remains towards a totally open economy. Restrictions in diamond and platinum mining will be removed once a legal framework to protect optimal benefi ts to the country has been developed.

MULTILATERALISM

Zimbabwe is a voluntary member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the African Union, the G77, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations with its specialised agencies.

It is always instructive to note that arbitrary and unilateral decisions can undermine the mandates and noble objectives of these organisations. The glue that keeps the multilateral systems together is a mutual respect for member states and a tolerance and deference towards divergent views amongst member states. In this regard, Zimbabwe is ready to play its part. To illustrate its stance in these matters, its desire to re-join the Commonwealth will be infl uenced by those values which emphasise respect and equality of the members of those organisations.

The management of the global environment is a collective responsibility and sustainable solutions to global challenges require an equitable distribution of decision making powers and responsibilities. Zimbabwe stands ready to contribute to the resolution of all topical global challenges as these are addressed in the established regional and international organisations.

All considered, we humbly submit that: ZIMBABWE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Hon. Dr. Lt. Gen (Rtd) Sibusiso B. Moyo MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & INTERNATIONAL TRADE TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR OUR COMMON FUTURE

Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, shares his country’s developmental experiences and highlights that collaboration is essential for the creation of a common future that is prosperous, secure, fair and sustainable.

ingapore joined the grateful to the friends who came to Commonwealth in our help in times of need, many of SOctober 1965, just a whom were in the Commonwealth. few months after gaining +DYLQJEHQHÀWHGIURPWKH independence. We were Commonwealth community, we small and vulnerable, with are happy that we can now pay it no natural resources or forward and share our developmental hinterland. We faced grave experiences with our fellow social and economic problems. Commonwealth friends, to help create Externally, our neighbourhood a common future that is prosperous, was unstable. The Vietnam secure, fair and sustainable. War was hotting up, and Like all Commonwealth countries, Southeast Asian countries were Singapore is committed to the 2030 at odds with one another. The Agenda for Sustainable Development. odds were against our survival, :HZLOOXQGHUWDNHRXUÀUVW9ROXQWDU\ but we pulled through. National Review at the 2018 UN We were deeply High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Singapore has always designed our policies with long-term sustainability in mind. Today, Singaporeans enjoy clean air, water and sanitation, quality healthcare and education, lush greenery and safe common spaces for residents young and old, because of these policies. We are sharing our sustainable development approaches and expertise with our Commonwealth friends through technical assistance programmes. Over the years, we have conducted capacity building courses IRUPDQ\&RPPRQZHDOWKRIÀFLDOVLQ areas such as disaster management, Lee Hsien Loong, enhancing infrastructure for national Prime Minister, Singapore development, and public sector

40 TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

Singapore is keen to promote dialogue and collaboration on sustainability issues, including sustainable urbanisation.

management. We hope this sharing of host many international forums common threats such as terrorism, experiences and exchange of ideas will including the World Cities Summit, cybercrime, and climate change, as FRQWLQXHWREHQHÀWIXWXUHJHQHUDWLRQV the Singapore International Water well as schemes to help ASEAN in the Commonwealth. Week and the CleanEnviro Summit economies innovate and use At a broader level, we are Singapore to promote dialogue and technology to make ASEAN a collaborating with the UN collaboration on sustainability issues vibrant and sustainable place to live Development Programme to amongst policy-makers and experts and work. These aspirations are in develop leadership courses on from the government, business and line with CHOGM 2018’s themes good governance and public sector international organisations. of security, prosperity, fairness and leadership, which are integral As the Chair of the Association of sustainability. WRIXOÀOOLQJWKH6XVWDLQDEOH Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) The Commonwealth and ASEAN Development Goals. We are also this year, Singapore is working with have much in common. Both partnering UN agencies such as our ASEAN colleagues and external share core values such as tolerance, UNICEF and UN-Habitat to partners on multiple initiatives respect and understanding. Both provide capacity building courses under our Chairmanship themes of organisations seek to uplift the lives LQVSHFLÀFVHFWRUVVXFKDVZDWHU ‘resilience’ and ‘innovation’. This of their citizens through promoting related issues and sustainable includes projects to strengthen good governance and sustainable urbanisation. In addition, we our collective resilience against practices. Both uphold an open, rules-based multilateral system which allows every country to prosper. There is therefore much we can do Singapore will continue to do together to create a better world for ourselves and future generations. its part to contribute ‘Towards a I look forward to participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Common Future’ of a resilient, Government Meeting in London. Singapore will continue to do its part innovative and sustainable to contribute ‘Towards a Common Future’ of a resilient, innovative and Commonwealth. sustainable Commonwealth.

41 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

TRADE AND INVESTMENT FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE

Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, urges Commonwealth member states to create a more enabling environment for trade and investment in order to promote growth and sustainable economic development.

nsuring that future generations 7KLVUHTXLUHVLQYHVWPHQW)RU can fully participate in and H[DPSOH$IULFD VLQIUDVWUXFWXUH EEHQHÀWIURPWKHJOREDO LQYHVWPHQWQHHGVDUHHVWLPDWHGDWDERXW HFRQRP\LVDQLPPHGLDWHFKDOOHQJH ELOOLRQDQQXDOO\²ZLWKD for us all. Facilitating trade and ÀQDQFLQJJDSRIDERXWELOOLRQ LQYHVWPHQWFDQPDNHDQLPSRUWDQW SHU\HDU,QWKH$VLDDQG3DFLÀFUHJLRQ FRQWULEXWLRQWRVXVWDLQDEOHHFRQRPLF infrastructure needs to the year 2030 GHYHORSPHQW²DQG,DPFRQÀGHQW DUHHVWLPDWHGWRH[FHHGWULOOLRQ WKDWWKH&RPPRQZHDOWKZLOOULVHWR This situation deserves our attention. the challenge. 7DFNOLQJWKHVHREVWDFOHVFRXOGKHOS Throughout history, trade has UHGXFHWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK VWUDGH SURYHQWREHRQHRIWKHPRVWHIIHFWLYH FRVWVERRVWLWVFRPSHWLWLYHQHVV DQWLSRYHUW\DQGSURGHYHORSPHQW GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQLQGXVWULDOLVDWLRQDQG Roberto Azevêdo, WRROV,QIDFWWUDGHDOUHDG\SOD\VDQ SDUWLFLSDWLRQLQJOREDOWUDGH$OVR Director-General, LPSRUWDQWUROHLQWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK LQYHVWPHQWFRXOGLPSURYHDFFHVVWR World Trade Organization ZLWKPHPEHUVWDWHVH[SRUWLQJRYHU PRUHDGYDQFHGWHFKQRORJLHVSURGXFWLRQ $3 trillion in goods and services each WHFKQLTXHVDQGPDQDJHULDOPHWKRGV \HDU+RZHYHUIRUWUDGHWRSOD\LWVIXOO ZKLFKFDQKHOSFRXQWULHVWROHDSIURJ SDUWLWLVLPSRUWDQWWRKDYHWKHULJKW IRUZDUGWRZDUGVDPRUHPRGHUQ FRQGLWLRQVDQGPDQ\HOHPHQWVDUH HFRQRP\$OOWKLVFDQKHOSWRVSUHDGWKH LQYROYHGLQWKLVPL[,I\RX UHVHOOLQJ EHQHÀWVRIWUDGHPRUHZLGHO\UHDFKLQJ goods, you need the hard infrastructure PRUHSHRSOHDQGOHYHUDJLQJWUDGHWR WRDOORZ\RXWRVKLSWKHPWR\RXU SURPRWHJURZWKDQGGHYHORSPHQW buyer. You also need the appropriate 6WHSVWRFUHDWHDPRUHHQDEOLQJ soft infrastructure to support this, and HQYLURQPHQWIRULQYHVWPHQW WKDWPHDQVIRUH[DPSOHDUHJXODWRU\ FRXOGPDNHWKHVHFRXQWULHV HQYLURQPHQWZKLFKIDFLOLWDWHVWUDGH:H attract productive and sustainable PXVWZRUNWRJHWKHUWRHQVXUHWKDWWKH IRUHLJQGLUHFWLQYHVWPHQWERWKLQ HVVHQWLDOEXLOGLQJEORFNVDUHLQSODFH infrastructure and in productive WRKHOSFRXQWULHVGREXVLQHVVZLWKRQH DVVHWV7KLVLVLPSRUWDQWEHFDXVH another. RIWHQJRYHUQPHQWVVLPSO\GRQRW

42 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

have the public resources to build the infrastructure they need. Therefore Throughout history, trade DVLJQLÀFDQWSDUWRILQIUDVWUXFWXUH LQYHVWPHQWZLOOQHHGWRFRPHIURP has proven to be one of the RWKHUSDUWQHUV:HQHHGWRVKDUHLGHDV H[FKDQJHLQVLJKWVDQGOHDUQIURP most effective anti-poverty and RQHDQRWKHU VH[SHULHQFHVWRHQVXUH WKDWWUDGHDQGLQYHVWPHQWFDQZRUN pro-development tools. WRJHWKHUWRFUHDWHPRUHRSSRUWXQLWLHV particularly for developing countries. This discussion is currently 7KLVLQLWLDWLYHLVYHU\GLYHUVH,W PDQ\RWKHUVDWWKH:72VKRZVWKDW XQGHUZD\DWWKH:RUOG7UDGH includes least developed countries, PHPEHUVDUHXVLQJWKHRUJDQLVDWLRQ 2UJDQL]DWLRQ :72 $QXPEHURI GHYHORSLQJDQGGHYHORSHGPHPEHUV DVDSODWIRUPWRGLVFXVVLVVXHVWKDWDUH :72PHPEHUVKDYHEHHQKROGLQJ LQFOXGLQJPDQ\&RPPRQZHDOWK of pressing interest for their citizens DQRSHQDQGLQIRUPDOGLDORJXHWR FRXQWULHV,WLVRSHQIRUDOO:72 DQGWKHLUHFRQRPLHV%XWRIFRXUVH FRQVLGHUZKHWKHUDQGKRZWKH PHPEHUVWRMRLQDQGWKHIRFXV WKHLQWHUHVWKHUHGRHVQRWPHDQ :72PLJKWEHWWHUFRQWULEXWHWR LVRQGLVFXVVLQJKRZWRIDFLOLWDWH abandoning issues that are already on IDFLOLWDWLQJLQYHVWPHQWÁRZV7KLV LQYHVWPHQWE\VWUHQJWKHQLQJ the table and that need to see progress debate advanced considerably in 2017, WUDQVSDUHQF\DGPLQLVWUDWLYH ²LVVXHVWKDWDUHYHU\GHDUWRPDQ\ LQFOXGLQJDWDKLJKOHYHOVHPLQDUKHOG HIÀFLHQF\DQGLQWHUQDWLRQDO PHPEHUVVXFKDVDJULFXOWXUHRUIRRG LQ$EXMD1LJHULDLQ1RYHPEHUDQGDW FRRSHUDWLRQ²DQDSSURDFKLQVSLUHGE\ VHFXULW\:HQHHGWRNHHSPDNLQJ WKHWK:720LQLVWHULDO&RQIHUHQFH WKHVXFFHVVRIWKH:72·V7UDGH SURJUHVVRQDOORIWKHVHIURQWV/RRNLQJ KHOGLQ%XHQRV$LUHVLQ'HFHPEHU )DFLOLWDWLRQ$JUHHPHQW'HYHORSPHQW DKHDG,HQFRXUDJH&RPPRQZHDOWK $WWKHODWWHUPHHWLQJDJURXSRI LVYHU\PXFKDWWKHFHQWUHRIWKH countries to stay engaged in this :72PHPEHUVDJUHHGWREHJLQPRUH GHEDWHVHDUFKLQJIRUZD\VWRIDFLOLWDWH ZRUN7RJHWKHUZHFDQVXSSRUWEHWWHU VWUXFWXUHGGLVFXVVLRQVZLWKWKHDLPRI DQGHQDEOHLQYHVWPHQWDQGWRVXSSRUW OLYHOLKRRGVQRZDQGLQWKHIXWXUHIRU GHYHORSLQJDPXOWLODWHUDOIUDPHZRUN WKHGHYHORSPHQWRIQDWLRQDOSROLFLHV WKHSHRSOHRIWKH&RPPRQZHDOWKDQG RQLQYHVWPHQWIDFLOLWDWLRQ 7KHG\QDPLVPRQWKLVIURQWDQGRQ DURXQGWKHZRUOG

43 BARBADOS A WELCOMING

Barbados has distinguished itself as a services including international sales premier international business domicile. and marketing, wealth management, The achievements of our International international insurance, niche Banking and Financial Services sector manufacturing, financial services, over the last five decades have been FinTech, ICT and medical schools, significant, characterized by growth, among others. These businesses, consolidation and resilience. Looking primarily from Canada, the USA, ahead, government and its strategic United Kingdom and Latin America, partners are focused on realizing the enjoy several benefits and rights under vision of Barbados becoming the Barbados’ expanding treaty network, international financial and wealth which currently stand at 40 Double management centre of choice in the Taxation Agreements, nine Bilateral Western Hemisphere. Investment Treaties and five Tax Information Exchange Agreements. Regarded as one of the best places ever evolving international standards, a in the world to live, work and play, sound legislative framework, world-class Additionally, Barbados’ Non-Domicile Barbados prides itself on attracting infrastructure, excellent educational Programme is an attractive option for business of substance and providing a system, intelligent workforce, as well as high-net-worth individuals desirous of welcoming environment for their growth its outstanding quality of life, all combine residing in Barbados or managing their and global expansion. More and more to provide a unique appeal. international business operations from investors are attracted to Barbados the country. Such persons may benefit because of the country’s proven record Barbados has an expanding roster from attractive tax incentives on income of being an efficiently regulated, modern, of international investors. Currently earned in, or remitted to, Barbados. transparent, treaty-based, stable and over 4,000 international business cost-effective jurisdiction. Added to entities conduct successful operations In keeping with its tradition of adherence these, its responsiveness to attaining in the country, providing a range of to international standards, Barbados is for international business. place choice as of ajurisdiction retain its willstrive Barbados toand compliance, remaining to committed transparency While competitive. more be globally to Barbados while positioning sector to the broaden of seeking thescope isthereforeGovernment purposefully economy. theBarbados of development continue integral to and be to thegrowth international sector, business which will measure the of onthesuccess economy. inlarge This willdepend sustainable and resilienta vibrant, to building iscommitted Government Account Tax Compliance Act. andtheUSA’sAgreement Foreign the Multilateral Authority Competent inTaxAdministrative Assistance Matters, Multilateral Convention onMutual has theOECD’sBarbados alsosigned Erosion andProfit MLI). Shifting (the Related Measures to Prevent Base Convention to implementTax Treaty to the OECD’sa signatory Multilateral JURISDICTION existing investors. existing and prospective of theneeds to meet staff professional hasInvest Barbados ateam of andwealth management. services nichemanufacturing,of ICT, financial intheareas particularly substance, sustaining international of business to onattracting, focus winningand continues government Barbados, of forthe agency development theeconomic Invest Barbados, who work assiduously www.investbarbados.org Barbados, contact us today. contact Barbados, To learn in investing more about We grow us. invite with youto come, sector, andourcountry.Services our International andFinancial Banking envisage abright andvibrant future for pride andindustry, of principles we the by Guided environment. business strategic to enhance ourlocal partners We alsowork collaboratively our with

“Sunset, Barbados (6885760644)” by Berit from Redhill/Surrey, UK - Sunset, BarbadosUploaded by russavia. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

BRITAIN, BREXIT AND THE COMMONWEALTH

David Howell, President of The Royal Commonwealth Society, looks at why Britain is re-prioritising the Commonwealth, and considers how the organisation’s unique networks can reap economic and social dividends for its member nations.

he Commonwealth Heads The search is on for new trade and of Government Meeting investment opportunities, especially in TLondon 2018 is a Summit the broad services sector, which now with a difference. There has been accounts for no less than 80 per cent nothing quite like it in recent years. of the UK’s national output. Exceptional care has been taken to But there is an even deeper reason spread its links right across the UK, why the Commonwealth connection involving not only business but also has moved up the priority ladder, and universities, cities and regions, civil one which well pre-dates the Brexit society bodies, young people and issue. The cyber age has drained and professional groups of all kinds. dispersed the power of governments, This is a sharp change from past VWUHQJWKHQHGJUDVVURRWVLQÁXHQFH decades, certainly so far as Britain is and given rise to forces, good and David Howell concerned. Commonwealth Heads of bad, which largely lie beyond the (Lord Howell of Guildford), Government Meetings – or CHOGMs traditional interstate system of global President, The Royal – have previously been a fairly low affairs. Commonwealth Society priority for both British Government It is a supreme irony of our era and media. that the modern Commonwealth But this time it is all quite of Nations – with its voluntary different. The British Government’s adherence, its loose coordination aim, in the words of the head of a and its people-driven networks, greatly expanded Commonwealth orchestrated by no central agency 6XPPLW8QLWLQWKH&DELQHW2IÀFH or plan – is fast emerging as better Tim Hitchens, (Britain’s former equipped to adjust to these conditions Ambassador to Japan) is: “to run the than some of the international and best Summit that London and the multinational institutions of the past. Commonwealth has ever seen”. The very diversity which used to be The immediate reason for this seen as a weakness, a bar to collective remarkable change of gear is obvious. action and lack of the alleged clout Brexit has swung Government of bloc solidarity, now emerges in the attention onto the search for the digital age as a strength and means consumer markets and fast-growing of resilience that more centralised economies of the future and the systems lack. Commonwealth network, among The international framework that others, offers both these as well as allows this new world of intense gateways to even bigger ones. FRQQHFWLYLW\WRÁRXULVKLVQRWWKH

46 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

traditional one of formal diplomacy and government-to-government Brexit has swung Government agreements, treaties and alliances. The information revolution has changed attention onto the search for the all that. Progress now comes much more from common values, common consumer markets and fast-growing legal systems, common business procedures, common standards and economies of the future. above all, from a common working language. At a time when regimes around the Commonwealth Universities, touch, medicine, or from creative industries ZRUOGDUHÁRXWLQJWKHOLEHUDOUXOHV and often change the lives of millions WRVSRUWVVFLHQWLÀFUHVHDUFKZRUN based order, and turning the United of young people, as do the many youth to environmentalists, accountancy Nations forum into a cockpit of network programmes promoted by WRHGXFDWLRQDWDOOOHYHOV²ÀQG disagreement and dispute, these are The Royal Commonwealth Society. common cause and close exchange the binding qualities that work the Young entrepreneurs and established within the Commonwealth network. other way, to pull nations and societies ÀUPVODUJHDQGVPDOOÀQGGRLQJ Parliamentarians gather on an together when other forces are pulling business within the Commonwealth unprecedented scale. Administrators, them apart. framework markedly easier than trying policing experts and military Thus, with quiet effectiveness, to invest and trade in less familiar specialists coordinate practices and institutions like the Commonwealth and trustworthy markets. Professions develop joint training programmes. of Learning or the Association of of every sort – from the law to In the midst of this swirl of

47 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

Taking the role as Commonwealth Chair-in-Offi ce for the two years following the London CHOGM, the British fi nd themselves in what amounts to a new role in international affairs.

networking, Britain acquires HQFRXUDJHPHQWWRÁRZVRIWUDGH age of expanding trade in data a particular responsibility and capital and people between member transmissions and knowledge, and particular opportunities in 2018. states. This could be seen as a information products. Taking the role as Commonwealth kind of 'trickle up' process, with 4. To encourage by example, although &KDLULQ2IÀFHIRUWKHWZR\HDUV the grassroots networks driving not by haranguing, the ever wider following the London CHOGM, governments increasingly together. adoption of values and freedoms WKH%ULWLVKÀQGWKHPVHOYHVLQ 2. To be both the champion of small supporting human rights, gender- what amounts to a new role in states – of which two thirds of equality, strict adherence to international affairs – and one that the Commonwealth membership the rule of law and tolerance of a few years ago could hardly have consists – and the architect of minorities, as embodied in the been envisaged, indeed was scarcely closer alliances with the large ones, Commonwealth Charter. acknowledged until quite recently. with India by far the largest of all. The task for the Commonwealth 3. To open as wide as possible, Progress on all these fronts promises &KDLULQ2IÀFHQRZIDOOVLQWRIRXU the opportunities for intra- big dividends for all members of connected compartments: Commonwealth trade and the Commonwealth and indeed for 1. To strengthen the existing intensive investment. The big added- %ULWDLQLWVHOIDVLWÀQGVDQHZUROH connectivity between peoples and YDOXHEHQHÀWVRIRSHUDWLQJLQD outside the European Union structure interests, at all levels throughout common business culture, backed and new outlets for its soft power the whole Commonwealth network. by similar legal and commercial deployment. From shared values 7KHVWURQJHUWKHOLQNVDQGDIÀQLWLHV patterns, similar accounting comes trust, and from trust comes between all parts of civil society, procedures and above all, similar good business and sound investment WKHPRUHWKLVXQLW\ZLOOLQÁXHQFH working language, ensure that – and from this comes prosperity. JRYHUQPHQWVWRÀQGZD\VRI these opportunities maximise the This is the Commonwealth closer cooperation and maximum Commonwealth advantage in an continuum and an increasingly precious asset in a dangerous and uncertain world. The hope must be that the London From shared values comes CHOGM takes all these aims forward with renewed momentum. With some trust, and from trust comes good 1.4 billion of its 2.4 billion citizens aged under 30, the Commonwealth business and sound investment – ZLOOWKHQWUXO\IXOÀOLWVUROHDVLQWKH prescient words of Her Majesty Queen and from this comes prosperity. Elizabeth: “the face of the future”.

48 www.valliscommodities.com

INTEGRATED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT ACROSS AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

At Vallis, we are proud of our contribution to world trade through the provision of logistic and supply chain solutions across Africa and the Middle East. Through our services, we support international businesses to have the confi dence to access and invest in new markets. Equally, our services facilitate important intra-continental trade. Since 2006, we have managed USD 21 billion worth of commodities across our operations. With 21 years’ experience and a presence in 40 countries, we are committed to a long-term investment in our workforce – over 90% of whom are employed locally in the countries where we operate.

We are innovators who use technology to offer the highest standards of service to our customers, and we are constantly developing new markets and services to add to our portfolio. Vallis’ logistic management and supply chain solutions comply with the highest international standards.

Our services include:

Marine and Cargo Services Research Vallis offers a range of independent Vallis offers bespoke reports on African Marine and Cargo Services. and Middle East markets. • Vessel Discharge and Loading • Market Intelligence Supervision • Commodity Flows • Cargo Tally Verifi cation • Regulatory Information • Bagging Verifi cation • Sampling and Analysis

Stock Management Services Advisory Vallis offers independent forensic Vallis offers a range of commercially- auditing and inspections of focused solutions. infrastructure and processes. • Consulting services in supply chain • Collateral Management and logistics • Stock Verifi cation • Warehouse receipt programme • Inspections and Audits design and evaluation • Reporting and Procedures • Agribusiness. • Evaluation of Storage Facilities • Asset Recovery • Stock Monitoring Services

To discover how Vallis can assist your business, please do get in contact with us at [email protected]. A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

DEALING WITH THE DEFICIT AND RESTORING GROWTH

Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, asserts that the key to safeguarding the Caribbean’s future is people- centred economic growth, and outlines his government’s efforts to create a more prosperous future for Trinidad and Tobago.

he 2017 hurricane season saw the development of six powerful Tstorms in the Atlantic Basin, three of which battered and decimated parts of the Caribbean. They left widespread human suffering, untold environmental damage, destruction of LQIUDVWUXFWXUHDQGÀQDQFLDOORVV²DOO of which the region is still grappling to resolve. While tourism in South America increased by 6.5 per cent in 2017, it rose by only 1.3 per cent in the Caribbean. The impact of natural disasters, in addition to the current economic situation, resulted in hotel occupancy decreasing to just 70 per cent. The key lesson emerging from this season of destitution and devastation ²LQRQHZRUG²LVUHVLOLHQFH+DUGVKLS distress and vulnerability are apolitical. Sea levels rising, habitats lost and coral bleaching are not partisan issues, they are of universal importance and consequence. In the midst of this ominous situation facing the entire Caribbean, sustainable and people- Dr Keith Rowley, centred economic growth that enables Prime Minister, The Republic capacity-building and resilience is a of Trinidad and Tobago priority as well as a challenge for the region and for all.

50 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

Unmitigated climate change brings substantial economic and social costs, posing a universal and intractable threat WRLQWHUQDWLRQDOGHYHORSPHQW+RZHYHU the distribution of these impacts is not equal. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Trinidad and Tobago, which have special recognition for their comparatively acute vulnerability to the impacts of FOLPDWHFKDQJH²GXHWRLQWHUDOLDWKHLU Our country remains open to all low-lying coasts, susceptibility to natural GLVDVWHUVDQGIUDJLOHHQYLURQPHQWV²WKH opportunities to bolster commerce impacts of climate change are already being experienced. and investment, in particular intra- The Trinidad and Tobago Government believes that, particularly Commonwealth trade. for SIDS, unmitigated climate change warrants urgent, consistent and ambitious universal action. As a instead on development programme trade is the driver of economic growth signatory to the Paris Agreement, we initiatives and more critically, the and poverty reduction, and contributes are committed to and will continue to PRELOLVDWLRQRIVLJQLÀFDQWSULYDWHFDSLWDO to the promotion of sustainable play our part in, the advancement of its to stimulate the economy towards GHYHORSPHQWDVUHÁHFWHGLQWKH objectives. sustainable accelerated growth. 2030 National Development Strategy. The people of Trinidad and Trinidad and Tobago has also Trinidad and Tobago stands in Tobago are valiantly confronting prioritised the judicious use of limited support of the Commonwealth’s efforts these challenges, adopting necessary LQÁRZVRIIRUHLJQH[FKDQJH:H to encourage free trade and reduce adjustments and taking the best options have favoured incremental economic protectionism in the multilateral trading under the current circumstances, to adjustments, such as the reduction of system, through the expertise and give the best chance of overcoming the subsidies and the collection of property resources of the Commonwealth Trade HFRQRPLFFRQVWUDLQWVDQGGLIÀFXOWLHV and gaming taxes, in addition to the )DFLOLWDWLRQ+XE7KHRUJDQLVDWLRQ that challenge us as a nation. establishment of a centralised revenue reviews existing free trade agreements Despite the decline in national authority to maximise compliance. Of with the intention of building future revenues since 2015, and the observed HTXDOVLJQLÀFDQFHDUHWKHDJJUHVVLYH standardisation, as well as improving downward trend in economic growth measures aimed at curbing corruption awareness and development of necessary for the past ten years, our government and waste at every level. legal and institutional frameworks, has stabilised public sector employment Once the economic growth process analysing barriers to trade and levels, despite the necessary curtailment is restarted, we recognise the need to investment, and building e-commerce of expenditure. We have always been adopt measures to sustain growth within capacity. cognisant of the fact that a healthy and a core strategy of targeted private sector +RZHYHUWKHUHLVOLJKWDWWKHHQGRI sustained revenue position will depend investment in export manufacturing, the tunnel. The Trinidad and Tobago on the level of growth generated. Over tourism, housing, maritime services, Government aims to set the economy the past two years, in an effort to keep DJULFXOWXUHÀQDQFLDOVHUYLFHVWKH RQDSDWKWRJUDGXDOO\UHGXFHLWVGHÀFLW expenditure stable, the government creative industries and others. Over the and sustain a moderate, but steady has sought to plug gaps in its revenue, next three years, the government intends growth rate in the near future. Analysts as well as curb spending, with the to focus on a number of sectors to lead IRUHFDVWWKDWWKHGHÀFLWZLOOVLJQLÀFDQWO\ support of enhanced monitoring and economic revival, and will work with shrink from the 9 per cent of GDP seen procurement systems. the private sector to bolster activity in in 2017, to 5.6 per cent in 2018. :KLOHWKHFXUUHQWÀQDQFLDOVLWXDWLRQ WKHVHDUHDV7KHÀVFDOUHJLPHLVEHLQJ Going forward, Trinidad and Tobago facing Trinidad and Tobago remains FRQÀJXUHGWRHQFRXUDJHQHZEXVLQHVVHV will continue to collaborate and partner a very challenging one, and the and support existing businesses to adopt with its Commonwealth family to government is implementing necessary new modes and lines of activity. ensure that the future is indeed fairer, measures to tighten revenue collection $VDSDUWRIRXUGLYHUVLÀFDWLRQGULYH more prosperous, more sustainable and mechanisms, our country remains the government is exploring ways to more secure for us all, as this alliance open for business and open to all modernise domestic legislation on trade, learns, shares and grows from one opportunities to bolster commerce competition, industry and investment, another. The peoples of the Caribbean and investment, in particular intra- and to align domestic legislation with have a unique and enduring capacity Commonwealth trade. We have avoided international best practice. Trinidad and to overcome, and out of recession will drastic expenditure cuts, focusing Tobago understands that international emerge resilience.

51 GAMBIA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

So much has changed in The Gambia in just more than a year and the country is back in the Commonwealth, amongst many other world organisations. More especially, tremendous opportunities exist as the “Smiling Coast” is opening up to the world of business again for this small gem on the west coast of Africa. The spirit of readiness demonstrated by the Gambian business community can be felt through private sector participation in new and more diverse sectors, an increase in the number of formal registered businesses for 2018, the high level of business participation in the formulation of new policies and business-related reforms and, particularly, in the government’s reduction of both PAYE and corporate tax, as well as the elimination of VAT on the staple rice commodity.

In anticipation of economic growth and investments, The Gambia is leaning towards an era of economic integration and even greater market liberalisation for the key drivers of the economy. The Gambia was part of more than 40 African countries to sign up to an historic trade agreement at the recent summit held in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, which was aimed at paving the way for a liberalised market for goods and services across the continent. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to deepen the integration process, by allowing Africans to trade and move freely across the continent which, according to UNCTAD, “could bring $3.6 billion in welfare gains to the continent through a boost in production and cheaper goods.” Many Commonwealth countries have long since practiced visa-free arrangements, which now need to be adopted across the board with a new interest to open up and trade amongst ourselves to create further opportunities, ensure that the private sector builds capacities in terms of standardisation, market share, quality, financing and economic inclusiveness to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty levels.

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working assiduously on economic improvements with the Off ice of the President through Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, and with other Ministries, on initiatives with the objective of enhancing local and foreign investment confidence in the business sphere. The Gambia Ports Authority and Bollore Logistics are amongst the many institutions championing Public-Private Partnerships. A ‘Doing Business’ initiative also aims to ensure the country’s ranking is improved by championing reforms in the various economic indicators.

The Gambia is open, with a strong invitation to public and private investment within energy, maritime, agriculture, tourism, health services and light industries.

www.gcci.gm Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Secka A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

TOWARDS AFRICAN ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President Dr Akinwumi Adesina, of the African Development Bank, President, African Development Bank discusses the organisation’s ‘High 5s’ strategy and why the fi ve priorities are crucial for accelerating Africa’s economic development.

ver the next seven to 12 years, Africa will be in full-blown Oeconomic transformation. This is the period of implementation for the African Development Bank’s High 5s strategy – Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialise Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve the Quality of Life of Africans – each element with its own ongoing programme of actions. The impact of these actions is already being felt where it is needed, ZLWKDPDMRULW\RIWKHEHQHÀWV reaching Africa’s rural areas. By the HQGRIWKHÀUVW\HDU  WKHGLUHFW EHQHÀWVZHUHPLOOLRQ$IULFDQV JDLQHGDFFHVVWRHOHFWULFLW\PLOOLRQ Africans gained access to water and VDQLWDWLRQPLOOLRQ$IULFDQVKDG improved access to agriculture; 9.1 million Africans gained access to KHDOWKVHUYLFHVDQGPLOOLRQ$IULFDQV had access to improved transport. The African Development Bank has already been connecting the productive win-win relationships through major investments in power generation, energy, agro-aligned industrialisation and food processing, and by leveraging the productive synergies that exist between the key

53 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

farming land and another to scale up The African Development available agricultural technologies to EHQHÀWPLOOLRQVRI$IULFDQIDUPHUV Bank will be investing $24 billion over the next decade. Another will establish a fund to assist women- in agriculture under its Feed owned enterprises to improve inclusive growth. Based on a partnership model, Africa programme. WKH$IÀUPDWLYH)LQDQFH$FWLRQIRU :RPHQ $)$:$ DLPVWRUDLVH PLOOLRQDQGOHYHUDJHELOOLRQE\ pillars of the High 5s to stimulate job DFFHVVWRSRZHUVRWKDWDOOFDQEHQHÀW to help women in business enterprises. creation, especially for young people from a brighter future. The African continent also and women. The African Development Bank has plenty of land for more food Independent analysis shows that launched a New Deal on Energy for SURGXFWLRQZLWKRYHUSHUFHQWRI WKH+LJKVFRYHUSHUFHQWRIWKH $IULFDLQHDUO\2XUJRDOLVWR all the uncultivated arable land left in $IULFDQ8QLRQ·V$JHQGDDQG support governments and the private the world. And Africa cannot keep the Sustainable Development Goals sector to accelerate the achievement SD\LQJELOOLRQQHWD\HDUULVLQJIDVW 6'*V ,PSOHPHQWDWLRQRIWKH+LJK of universal access to electricity over WRELOOLRQD\HDUE\IRUWKH 5s will therefore allow Africa to attain WKHQH[W\HDUV7KH%DQNZLOOEH crippling luxury of importing food that most of the agreed global objectives, investing $12 billion in the energy Africans could and should be growing, and accelerate our economic VHFWRURYHUWKHQH[WÀYH\HDUVDQG processing, and consuming themselves. transformation. OHYHUDJHDQH[WUDELOOLRQLQ As Africa resolves its power problem 6RPHPLOOLRQ$IULFDQVVWLOO SURMHFWFRÀQDQFLQJ and modernises its agriculture, large have no access to electricity. Nothing 2YHUWKHVDPHWLPHWKH$IULFDQ scale industrialisation will surely productive can happen in the dark, Development Bank will be investing follow. Africa has to add more value let alone any sort of economic ELOOLRQLQDJULFXOWXUHXQGHULWV to the commodities and the food that development. And in terms of politics, Feed Africa programme. There are it produces or digs up. So it needs to darkness is an unpopular policy. VHYHUDOVLJQLÀFDQWLQLWLDWLYHVOHDGLQJ industrialise quickly from the basis African politicians know that to stay in the way, with a fund to transform of its agricultural modernisation and power, they have to give their people the savannah areas into productive compete better in global value chains.

54 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

2YHUWKHQH[W\HDUVWKH$IULFDQ Africa’s population has doubled If we can, Africa will be an Development Bank will facilitate a since 1985 and will double again to XQVWRSSDEOHHFRQRPLFIRUFHE\ FXPXODWLYHLQYHVWPHQWRIELOOLRQ ELOOLRQE\:HZLOOWKHQKDYH able to feed itself and the world. The LQVL[ÁDJVKLSLQGXVWULDOLVDWLRQ the same population as China and decisions and actions of the world’s programmes throughout Africa. India together do now, with a rising investors, especially from the private The Bank’s objective is to help consumer demand, a growing middle sector, remain vital for the employment double the industrial GDP of FODVVDQGPLOOLRQ\RXQJSHRSOH of Africa’s young and growing $IULFDQHFRQRPLHVWRWULOOLRQ looking for jobs. With population workforce, providing an opportunity E\DQGE\RYHUSHUFHQW growth and rapid urbanisation, the food to reap a demographic dividend that of overall GDP. The Bank has also and agribusiness industry in Africa is will boost Africa’s growth and lift launched the ‘Jobs for Youths in projected to grow to over $1 trillion by millions out of poverty. There are Africa’ initiative, which will mobilise ZLWKQHZDQGLPSDWLHQW$IULFDQ precedents in India and South East ELOOLRQLQVXSSRUWRI\RXQJ customers demanding a greater choice Asia, which show it can certainly be entrepreneurs in Africa to address and higher quality products, as they done in Africa, where many of the youth unemployment. The goal is have every right to do. Can we harness conditions are even more favourable. to create 25 million jobs for young this demographic potential by aligning It all presents the glorious possibility people within the next decade. This supply with demand? Markets with of an Africa unleashing its full potential should also serve to stem or stop the customers? Skills with jobs? And can as a major economic power, an industrial emigration of our youth to Europe we keep most of these elements within powerhouse and a global consumer and elsewhere. Africa? market, while undergoing sustainable ÀQDQFLDOJURZWKDQGHQMR\LQJDKLJK standard of living. Africa will have millions of jobs available over the next Some 645 million Africans \HDUV,WZLOOEHWKHLQWHUQDWLRQDO workshop, the processing centre, and still have no access to electricity. the foreign investment focus of the world, with plenty of land for factories Nothing productive can happen DQGRIÀFHVDQGD\RXQJVNLOOHGODERXU force. So here’s to Africa’s bright future in the dark. with the High 5s!

55 $PQL,QWHUQDWLRQDO3HWUROHXP 'HYHORSPHQW&RPSDQ\/LPLWHG '(/,9(5,1* ,1$)5,&$

Tubu Field Development Lagos Off ice Houston Off ice Amni Ghana Plot 1377, Tiamiyu, Savage Street 1330 Lake Robbins Drive HNO 11, White Avenue, Airport Victoria Island, P.O. Box 54452 Suite 600, The Woodlands Residence Area, Accra, Ghana Falomo, Lagos, Nigeria TX 77380, USA ZZZ$PQLFRP A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

AFRICA’S CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA

The Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the African Union, Ambassador Albert Muchanga, outlines the African Continental Free Trade Area and the transformative effect that this historic agreement will have on the continent.

frica has taken a bold and Persons, Right of Residence and Right historic decision to create the of Establishment were also adopted, AAfrican Continental Free Trade in addition to the launch of the Single Area (AfCFTA), spanning from South African Air Transport Market. Africa to the North African countries $OOWKHVHDUHÁDJVKLSSURMHFWVIRUWKH of Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia African Union Agenda 2063, and with and Egypt. Nineteen of the 55 member their delivery, Africa is now on the verge states of the African Union - which is of a historic structural transformation in driving the process of creating it - are its markets and economy. also members of the Commonwealth. As a result of these initiatives, In December 2017 the African the people of Africa will move Union Ministers of Trade collectively more freely and cheaply across the decided to recommend to the January continent, as investors, traders Albert Muchanga, 2018 Assembly of Heads State and and tourists. In this large and Commissioner for Trade and Government of the African Union harmonised market of about 1.2 Industry, African Union the draft agreement establishing the billion consumers, investors from AfCFTA for approval and signature. both within Africa and outside the The African leaders endorsed the continent will also be attracted to decisions of the ministers and the take advantage of the economies of agreement and related protocols were scale created. signed at an Extraordinary Summit Mining, agriculture and on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. industrialisation are the critical The Protocols on Free Movement of base for production of goods in the AfCFTA. Current statistics show that 42 per cent of intra-African trade is accounted for by manufacturing. Our current status as a From this base, value addition through industrialisation will collection of small, fragmented accelerate as investors decide to take advantage of the emerging market and isolated markets has run its with its huge growth potential. The development of regional value chains course because it cannot give us will also promote specialisation and win-win outcomes from the AfCFTA. the future we want. It is a paradox that while Africa

58 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

because it cannot give us the future The people of Africa will we want. We can no longer continue to compete among ourselves to move more freely and cheaply export commodities to the rest of the world. With declining terms of across the continent, as investors, trade, growing populations and low rates of economic growth, which traders and tourists. this commodity dependence entails, Africa will instead continue to reap high rates of emigration by our young has the world’s largest reserves agro-processing to reverse the trend. people in search of opportunities of untapped agricultural lands, in When this potential is exploited, we for employment in other parts of the addition to fresh water and a good shall not only achieve food self- world. This pursuit can be a dangerous climate, it annually imports food VXIÀFLHQF\EXWDOVRWUDQVIRUP$IULFD act of desperation. Much too often, our worth US$35 billion, which is into a net food exporter to the rest of young men and women become victims SURMHFWHGWRLQFUHDVHWR86ELOOLRQ the world. RIKXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJDQGPRGHUQGD\ by 2025. With policy harmonisation The outcome of the January 2018 slavery. Furthermore, our high levels of and consistency to be embedded in the African Union Summit sent out a population increase in an environment AfCFTA, along with effective trade clear message that we are committed of weak economic growth and poor facilitation measures, there is now a to integration. Our current status as economic prospects are a recipe for huge opportunity to promote large a collection of small, fragmented and social and political instability. In this scale investments in agriculture and isolated markets has run its course status quo, Africa will also remain

59 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE Wambi Michael / Inter Press Service

weak and marginalised in the global officials working at our border The AfCFTA also belongs to councils of diplomacy and commerce. crossings. In this respect, we will, the young and future generations. This is not the Africa we want. with resolve, combat corruption in The United Nations Economic What we want is ‘an integrated, cross-border trade in line with the Commission for Africa is working prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven 2018 theme on winning the fight with the African Institute for by its own citizens, representing a against corruption. Economic Development and Planning dynamic force in the international Equally important is that we are in (IDEP) in Dakar, Senegal to design system’ - a vision articulated in the the process of establishing a Pan- and run a course on the AfCFTA. African Union Agenda 2063. The African Trade Observatory, which will This will greatly broaden the AfCFTA will create new and better (alongside other organisations) capture knowledge base of the scheme. opportunities to realise this vision. intra-African trade statistics. The result In order to create a level We are keenly aware that the will be the availability of timely and playing field and deepen policy AfCFTA is not an easy undertaking. comprehensive information about harmonisation, we shall, But we are ready and resolved to make African goods, as well as a resource during the course of this year, it work. We have the energy and will. base for production of trade directories. begin negotiating protocols on Studies have clearly demonstrated that The AfCFTA also belongs to the competition, intellectual property the AfCFTA is a commercially viable African private sector which, according rights and investment. undertaking, and our primary task is to to the International Chamber of Against this background, the deliver on this promise. Commerce and Industry, accounts for Commonwealth is encouraged to The AfCFTA belongs to the only 12 per cent of Africa’s total private explore ways and means of developing a ordinary African people. They are sector investments. We have asked the strategic partnership with the AfCFTA. the consumers, workers and the African private sector to increase this 7KHÀQDOPHVVDJHLVWRWKHSULYDWH small scale cross-border traders. share. We will be working with African sector and tourists in both Africa and With respect to the latter, Africa can governments and the African private the rest of the world: the AfCFTA feed itself and reduce the current sector to come up with the incentives has opened exciting opportunities for high levels of annual food imports required to grow African investments business and travel. We invite you to by making it easier for Africans to in Africa. come in to invest, produce, trade and sell duty-free food products across As we move towards a digital explore. Our guarantee is that you will our borders, without harassment economy, the African services sector thrive if you are an entrepreneur, and from customs, immigration, freight will also become a strategic contributor leave with a treasured experience if and forwarding agents and other to developing manufacturing in Africa. you are a tourist.

60 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

We shall not only achieve food self-sufficiency, but also transform Africa into a net food exporter to the rest of the world.

61 THE PEARL OF AFRICA

Th e Commonwealth brings together countries that share not only a common history and language but common values and aspirations. While we live in diff erent countries and regions of the world, separated by thousands of miles and at times share common borders – as we do in East Africa - we share a common aspiration of turning our organization into one where wealth is common and therefore truly THE COMMONWEALTH.

As we assemble for our bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting we are reminded in many of our countries that improving the condition of the majority of the Commonwealth citizens is still a major unfi nished agenda. In the same way we have addressed the democracy defi cit, together as the Commonwealth, we can tackle the development defi cit.

Th e Commonwealth nations have the potential to work and achieve global affl uence among themselves and between themselves, and other blocs of the global community, through shared prosperity. In the colonial and post-colonial times, there were only islands of prosperity in the world: North America, Western Europe and Japan. Th is was a defective arrangement.

With the onset of affl uence in China, some of the ASEAN countries, India, Brazil and some of the Arab countries, global prosperity has improved. If only North America (the USA and Canada), Western Europe and Japan monopolized affl uence, as they did by 1978, the total purchasing power of the world would be US$ 40 trillion. With the present spread of affl uence, however, the total purchasing power of the world is now US$ 127 trillion. Th e purchasing power of North America, Western Europe and Japan is now US$ 43 trillion. Th at of Africa is still US$ 8.1 trillion, in spite of having a population and even land area that is four times bigger than that of the United States.

Th erefore, the full potential is far from being realized and we have identifi ed 10 strategic bottlenecks why this is so. Th ese are:

1. Ideological disorientation. Th e main manifestation of ideological disorientation is the opportunistic misuse of identity at the expense of genuine interests of the people. Such genuine interests should answer the question: “Who will guarantee my prosperity?” “Is it the members of my tribe or my religious sect that will do so, or is it members of the other communities?” “Who will buy my milk, my beef, my coff ee, my bananas or my tea?” Ideological disorientation only emphasizes identity and eclipses interests or even acts against the interests of the people. Th is generates the sectarianism of tribe or religion you have seen causing so much damage.

2. As a consequence of the above, many African countries end-up with weak states – with weak armies and civil services - because they are not based on merit or are not ideologically oriented with the right attitude.

3. Th e under-development of the human resource, including the lack of education, lack of skills and poor health of the African populations.

4. Under-developed infrastructure, with no electricity, no modern roads, no modern railways, no ICT backbone and no piped water. Th is makes the costs of production in the economy go up and cannot, therefore, attract investments so as to expand production and create jobs.

5. As a consequence of the above there is no industrialization and, therefore, Africa has continued to suff er a haemorrhage through the loss of money and jobs, and being a donor to other continents by continuing to export raw-materials where we only get 10 per cent of the value of our products (for instance coff ee, cotton, minerals and timber). 6. Th e problem of a fragmented African market on account of colonialism. Th e 53 former colonies, the modern African states are, individually, too small as markets to attract, retain investments and cause them to thrive. China, which started liberalizing and opening up in 1978, (China also started participating in the UN system in 1982) has since attracted a total of enterprises worth US$ 2.6 trillion. Th e whole of Africa in that same period has only attracted enterprises worth US$ 0.65 trillion. (Source: UNCTAD Website). Yet China is still a communist country, while most of Africa is now ‘democratic’ and operating really market-led economies. What is the problem? One of them is a fragmented market. Th e other bottlenecks also play a role in discouraging and stifl ing investments. Th e other good examples are poor infrastructure and a non-skilled workforce. Fortunately, we have done a good job on this by creating ECOWAS, EAC, COMESA and SADC. We are aiming at the common market of the whole of Africa. Unfortunately, some actors continue to allow non-tariff barriers. Yet the growing purchasing power of Africa would have attracted investments if the African market was really integrated.

7. Th e under-developed services sector, including tourism, hotels, banking (both fi nancial services and expensive money), insurance and professional services (hence medical tourism to India).

8. Th e under-development of agriculture. Th ere is no complete commercialization of agriculture and still a lot of subsistence agriculture (68 per cent in the case of Uganda), no irrigation, a low use of fertilizers, poor disease control, poor soil conservation, poor seeds and breeding stock. Th e population in the agricultural sector has, therefore, no money and their purchasing power is low.

9. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was the mistake on our part of nationalizing private sector assets, such as banks, shops and farms. Th is interference with the private sector, by policy or by corruption, has also been another bottleneck. Th e private sector is the most effi cient engine of growth.

10. Suppression of democracy in the past.

In the case of Uganda, we are solving these bottlenecks, by ourselves mainly, one by one. Some of the other African countries are similarly addressing these bottlenecks. If the international community shared our perspective on these and assisted where necessary and relevant in a win-win way, these bottlenecks would be expeditiously resolved and Africa would fully join the phenomenon of global affl uence.

Th e Commonwealth, where conferences are held without the inconvenience of ear-phones for translation, where we can communicate in one language, is uniquely positioned to play this stimulus role in the metamorphosis of Africa, starting with the Commonwealth members, so that their latent strength comes out.

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA INVESTING IN THE PEARL OF AFRICA

Anyone looking to do business in Uganda will fi nd the most liberalised economy, in which there is free movement of capital, the free repatriation of dividends after all tax obligations have been met and an economy that has grown steadily in the last fi ve years at an average of fi ve percent. Infl ation has also averaged 4.9 per cent for the same period. The tax incentives are non-discriminatory, because they are enshrined in the tax laws and can be accessed by both domestic and foreign investors. The priority sectors for investment enjoying high returns include mineral benefi ciation, agro-processing and Uganda’s nascent oil and gas sector.

Kampala city view, skyline of Uganda’s capital There are over 50 mineral types found throughout Uganda, virtually all of which are under- or fully unexploited. These include large deposits of gold, oil, high-grade tin, tungsten, wolfram, salt, beryllium, cobalt, kaolin, iron ore, glass, sand, vermiculite, phosphates, uranium and rare earth elements. Gold can be mined in many areas of the country, including Busia in the east, Bushenyi and Kigezi in the west, Mubende and Kiboga in the Central Region and Karamoja in the north-east.

Uganda has been considered the food basket for the East African Community and has the potential to feed the whole of Africa. Uganda is the eight largest producer of coff ee globally, for instance. The main agricultural crops include grains, sugar cane, cotton, tea and coff ee, which accounts for a fi fth of total export earnings and a third of foreign exchange earnings. Investment opportunities abound within food and dairy processing, cold storage, agricultural inputs and irrigation systems, amongst others.

Overview of Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale

Tourism is one of the fastest growing service sectors in the Ugandan economy and the single largest export earner. A quarter of the country’s territory is under protection, with areas such as national parks, species management zones and wilderness, game and marine reserves. Uganda has also recently unveiled 10 conservation sites seeking sustainable investment.

Another fast growing sector is within information technology. The packaging industry’s viability is also in demand for increasingly export-oriented businesses. Abundant opportunities are similarly found in Uganda’s nascent sector for oil pipelines, the petrochemical industry - manufacturing fertilizers, amongst other products – and in logistics and waste management.

Setting up a business in Uganda has been simplifi ed through the transformation of the Uganda Investment Authority into a ‘One Stop Centre’ for investors, off ering free services for investors to register their businesses and obtain all the relevant licenses under one roof. This has been paired with the digital ‘One Stop Centre’, which can be accessed online. Potential investors can therefore now apply to register their business and secure an investment license without even visiting the Authority.

www.ugandainvest.go.ug www.ebiz.go.ug A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

CREATING A PROSPEROUS FUTURE THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, highlights the need for collective efforts to create prosperity for all, and expresses his determination to transform Ghana into a prosperous and proud nation that leaves no one behind.

Nana Addo Dankwa ith the high level of co- Akufo-Addo, operation amongst nations President, Republic Win the 21st century, no of Ghana country remains an island, as we live in a virtually borderless world with shared interests and their attendant challenges. What happens in one part of the world can have as much impact on our lives as the actions of our immediate neighbours. As members of the Commonwealth family, it is, therefore, important to recognise that the Commonwealth’s continuous relevance and survival depends on the safety and wellbeing of all member states and their citizens. The Commonwealth will remain relevant, not only because of our shared values and principles, but also because of our ability to use our collective strengths and resources to meet the aspirations of our citizens; create prosperity to improve living standards, promote the rule of law and respect for human rights; and protect the environment.

66 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

The 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) We should build is a unique opportunity to give a world where practical meaning to the objectives every child has the of the Commonwealth Charter, opportunity to better which are similar to the UN 2015 him or herself. By Sustainable Development Goals doing so, we will (SDGs), and the goals of the African build a better global Union’s Agenda 2063. community. As Co-chair of the Group of Advocates of Eminent Persons of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it is my strong conviction that the SDGs are a worthwhile set of goals for mankind. The Commonwealth should strive to achieve these goals to make the world a better place, by supporting its members to build capacities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda more students gained access to Senior economy. In other words, the industrial for Sustainable Development, where High School in 2017, than in 2016. development of our continent and this no one is left behind in the efforts to I hesitate to prescribe policy can be accelerated and achieved with create prosperity for all. initiatives for other countries, an educated workforce, taking full The SDGs challenge us, collectively, but, on the matter of education, I advantage of the digital revolution. to adopt inclusive and integrated have no hesitation whatsoever in We must also encourage each other, approaches to development, and recommending that all countries of in the Commonwealth, to strengthen to forge viable multi-stakeholder the Commonwealth, not just in Africa, and protect the institutions and culture partnerships that can effectively tackle adopt the policy of free compulsory of accountable governments; respect the multi-dimensional problems of education from kindergarten to senior human rights, religious freedoms, our world today. In the midst of the high school. This is one of the most and the rights of the individual and challenging global environment, the important things we have to do if we minorities; and build strong market success of our efforts will depend on are to guarantee prosperity for all. economies. We do not have to look the effective mobilisation of resources For us, in Africa, we need to end far into history to see that stable for SDG implementation. If the noble the spectre of the dependence of constitutional government and goal of the SDGs is to ensure that no our economies on the production intelligent management of the economy one is left behind, we should commit and export of raw materials. These can lead to general prosperity. ourselves, amongst others, to building economies cannot produce wealth For us in Ghana, we want to build a a world where every child has the and prosperity for the masses on Ghana Beyond Aid because it is time opportunity to better him or herself, our continent. They drive the to pursue a path to prosperity and and, by so doing, better the global determination of African youth to self-respect for our nation. A Ghana community. seek much better living standards of Beyond Aid is a prosperous and self- It is for this reason that my living out of Africa, thereby, fuelling FRQÀGHQW*KDQDWKDWLVLQFKDUJHRI Government, in September 2017, the refugee crises and the numerous her economic destiny; a transformed implemented the Free Senior High counts of illegal immigrants. We Ghana that is prosperous enough to be School programme to ensure that cannot continue travelling this worn beyond needing aid, and that engages every Ghanaian child, boy or girl, path of limited success of being competitively with the rest of the world irrespective of the circumstances of exporters of raw materials. The only through trade and investment. their birth, has access to a minimum way to ensuring prosperity in Africa is We are determined to build a new of Senior High School education. This through value addition activities, in a Ghanaian and African civilisation, programme has ensured that 90,000 WUDQVIRUPHGDQGGLYHUVLÀHGPRGHUQ where the rule of law works, where individual liberties and human rights are respected, and where the principles of democratic accountability are the The SDGs challenge us, foundation of public policy. We are determined to forge a new Ghanaian collectively, to adopt inclusive and African, who is neither a victim nor a pawn of the world order, but and integrated approaches to ZKRZLOOEHDGLJQLÀHGPHPEHURI a successful, thriving, prosperous development. society.

67 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

GREEN GROWTH FOR THE COMMONWEALTH: READY FOR PHASE THREE

Dr Andrew Steer, President and CEO of World Resources Institute, asserts that sustained economic growth can only be achieved by investing in environmentally friendly technology and infrastructure.

few short years ago, the idea of 53 member states, natural disasters sustainability drew praise affect 28 million people and cause A as something that ought to economic losses of $8 billion each year. be encouraged for its environmental One key way to start addressing this EHQHÀWVGHVSLWHZKDWZDVWKHQVHHQDV challenge is by investing in sustainable its inevitable trade-off with economic infrastructure, which is fundamental growth. That was Phase One. to reigniting growth, delivering on Phase Two emerged from a the Sustainable Development Goals number of empirical studies that (SDGs) and reducing climate risk in found that the trade-offs weren’t so line with the Paris Agreement. Between great after all, and that sustainable now and 2030, the world needs to development and economic growth invest US$90 trillion in infrastructure. could go hand in hand. Developing countries – including many Dr Andrew Steer, More recent research and in the Commonwealth, and especially President and CEO, technological innovation, articulated those with fast-growing cities – will World Resources Institute in the New Climate Economy project require 70 per cent of that investment. and other smart initiatives, has The global south will account for brought us to Phase Three, which roughly two-thirds of all infrastructure recognises that sustained economic investment (about US$4 trillion a year) growth can only be achieved by over the next 15 years. investing in low carbon and less This new infrastructure need not cost polluting models of development. more than conventional infrastructure This is especially important for over its lifecycle, since the additional the Commonwealth countries – the upfront costs can be offset by rapid majority of which are at risk from JDLQVLQHIÀFLHQF\DQGIXHOVDYLQJV,Q WKHKHDWZDYHVÀUHVÁRRGVDQGRWKHU fact, addressing sustainability issues phenomena exacerbated by a changing as set out in the SDGs offers a huge climate. Across the Commonwealth’s business opportunity in parts of the

68 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

Investing in sustainable infrastructure is fundamental to reigniting growth, delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing climate risk.

The new Discovery global headquarters in Sandton, South Africa, is a good example of resource-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally-innovative infrastructure.

world where the need is greatest. The Business & Sustainable Addressing sustainability issues Development Commission showed how sustainable business models as set out in the SDGs offers a huge could unlock more than $US12 trillion in new market value in food business opportunity in parts of the and agriculture, energy and materials, health and wellbeing and cities; world where the need is greatest. creating up to 380 million jobs by 2030. As the Commission’s Better Business Better World report noted, Two examples are of particular carbon development and increased what’s needed is an economic model relevance for Commonwealth prosperity. The integration of new which is not only low-carbon and countries: cities, and coastal mobility services into existing environmentally sustainable, but also development and the marine economy. urban transportation systems is turns poverty, inequality and lack First, cities. The projected growth one such golden opportunity, with RIÀQDQFLDODFFHVVLQWRQHZPDUNHW of cities, especially in Africa, Asia the prospect of more affordable, opportunities for smart, progressive, and Latin America, offers some of convenient and environmentally SURÀWRULHQWHGFRPSDQLHV the biggest opportunities for low- friendly transport for all.

69 A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

Salaam. Until now, urban development It’s deeply encouraging to has evolved without clear spatial planning and essential infrastructure see leadership embedded in the to meet basic human needs. At the same time, the country’s poor and Commonwealth strategy, which marginalised city-dwellers are the most vulnerable to the impacts of aims to fundamentally change climate change, as temperatures rise and unpredictable rainfall and intense how the world’s oceans, seas and droughts lead to food shortages, ZDWHUVFDUFLW\ÁRRGVDQGSRZHU coastal areas are managed. outages. Tanzania’s National Urban Development Strategy can help deliver the sustainable growth that its cities The case for better urban transport few years will determine its course need, coordinating policies across could not be clearer. Transport is for decades. Staying with the current government sectors and aligning now responsible for 23 per cent of sprawling, unconnected pattern of with the activities of sub-national global energy-related carbon dioxide urbanisation could cost an estimated governments, the private sector and emissions. Congestion costs range US$330 billion to $US1.8 trillion by civil society. from one per cent of GDP in cities PLGFHQWXU\,QFRQWUDVWGHVLJQLQJ Second, coastal development and in the developed world, to over more coordinated, connected cities the marine economy. A majority ÀYHSHUFHQWLQ%HLMLQJ6DR3DXOR could bring lower costs for public of Commonwealth countries are and Bangkok. The health costs infrastructure and transportation, while small island states or countries with associated with road crashes range FXWWLQJGRZQRQWUDIÀFFDVXDOWLHV VLJQLÀFDQWFRDVWOLQHVDQGWKXVDUH IURPRQHWRÀYHSHUFHQWRI*'3LQ congestion, air pollution and health especially vulnerable to rising seas, developing countries. Transport costs ULVNV1DWLRQDOO\,QGLDLVRQWUDFNWR coastal storms and erosion, mangrove disproportionately impact the urban exceed its goal of having 175 gigawatts and coral reef loss, and associated poor, who spend 25 to 30 per cent of of operational renewable energy food and energy insecurity. They household income on transport. capacity by March 2022, while it aims face economic threats from loss of All Commonwealth countries have to sell only electric vehicles by 2030 ÀVKLQJDQGWRXULVPUHYHQXHVIURP great opportunities for sustainable and to stop approving new coalmines ÁRRGLQJDQGORVVRILQIUDVWUXFWXUH XUEDQGHYHORSPHQW&RQVLGHU,QGLD beyond those already in the pipeline. Commonwealth countries are at the and Tanzania, for example. ,Q7DQ]DQLDZKHUHWKHXUEDQ IRUHIURQWRIHIIRUWVWRÀQGLQYHVWPHQW ,Q,QGLDZKHUHWKHXUEDQSRSXODWLRQ population is projected to exceed and policy options that will solve is expected to nearly double to 800 60 million by 2050 (four times the environmental problems, while million by 2050, the decisions taken number in 2012), most of the growth promoting jobs and growth. This E\,QGLDQSROLF\PDNHUVRYHUWKHQH[W is expected to take place in Dar es isn’t easy for individual countries, and a Commonwealth-wide coalition of leaders could make a major GLIIHUHQFH,W·VGHHSO\HQFRXUDJLQJ to see leadership embedded in the Commonwealth strategy, which aims to fundamentally change how the world’s oceans, seas and coastal areas are managed. This can protect its members while fostering sustainable economic growth based on new sectors such as aquaculture, biotechnology, ocean- based renewable energy and tourism – all of which will require innovative approaches to infrastructure. The astonishing innovations in green growth technology and policy that have characterised recent years Tanzania’s urban population is projected have been driven by necessity. Just as to exceed 60 million by 2050. Most of Commonwealth countries are deeply the growth is expected to take place in vulnerable to climate change, so they Dar es Salaam. are the natural innovators and testing grounds for new paths forward.

70

A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: FROM PROMISE TO PRACTISE

Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, calls on the Commonwealth to take action in five key areas to realise the transformative vision of the Sustainable Development Goals.

he United Nations attaches imagination of leaders and general great importance to its public alike. Member States are Tpartnership with the showing strong ownership - Commonwealth of Nations. including through strong personal These ties are rooted in a shared engagement by Heads of State and commitment to peace, sustainable Government - and are aligning their development and human rights, and plans and strategies accordingly. We to the values of equality, tolerance are seeing new champions stepping and dignity for all. Like the United up, seeking to set the world on Nations, the Commonwealth a path towards a more inclusive draws strength from the cultural, globalisation. Local authorities geographical and linguistic diversity and responsible businesses are of its membership. Today, the seizing the opportunities of climate Amina J. Mohammed, Commonwealth has moved well action. Young people are taking on Deputy Secretary-General, beyond its colonial origins to become more and more responsibilities in United Nations a dynamic multilateral presence across the sustainability movement. The the world. The United Nations looks VFLHQWLÀFDQGDFDGHPLFFRPPXQLWLHV to the Commonwealth to bring its are contributing solutions and ideas. full capacities to bear as we work At the same time, we know the to implement the 2030 Agenda for clock is ticking and the pace of Sustainable Development. progress is insufficient to fully meet In this third year of global efforts our ambition. The global context is to implement that Agenda, there are one in which we are still suffering encouraging signs of momentum. from many protracted conflicts, The hope that accompanied its with new ones arising, along with adoption in 2015 is still with us. complex humanitarian crises and The Sustainable Development mass movements of refugees and Goals (SDGs) have captured the displaced persons. Inequality

72 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The SDGs will only be reaslised if we ensure women’s equality and the meaningful participation of

Credit: UN Women/Gaganjit Singh Women/Gaganjit UN Credit: women in all aspects of life.

2030 Agenda. It is also our best The clock is ticking and the ORQJWHUPVWUDWHJ\WRSUHYHQWFRQÁLFW and maintain peace and security. pace of progress is insufficient to Marginalisation and discrimination FDQOHDGWRVRFLDOÀVVXUHVDQGSROLWLFDO fully meet our ambition. unrest. Fair distribution of wealth and special attention to the vulnerable, on the other hand, contribute to social remains alarmingly high, including The SDGs are a beacon of hope for cohesion and political stability. between women and men, where people around the world - an agreed We must strive to end poverty in its disparities have grown wider in set of priorities for the global common multidimensional reality and ensure many key respects. The impacts of good. Looking ahead, it is clear that access to quality basic services and climate change are spreading, and realising this transformative vision human rights for all. environmental degradation and will require concerted action and We must also unleash the potential pollution are worsening, threatening FKDQJHVLQÀYHNH\DUHDV of half our populations, by ensuring our long-term sustainability. Taken First, to achieve the SDGs, we must women’s full equality and protection together, these obstacles risk be guided by the principle of leaving from violence. We know that through throwing us off-course in our efforts no one behind. women’s meaningful participation to meet the targets by the deadline This commitment to inclusiveness in all aspects of life, we can increase of 2030. and equality is at the heart of the food security, better address climate

73 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

FKDQJHVHHJUHDWHUUHVRXUFHVÁRZWR Climate change is an undeniable Third, we must learn to think social protection, unlock trillions for threat. There is no doubt that in an integrated way and work the global economy and ensure more we must raise our ambition in collaboratively with all sectors. sustainable peace and security. implementing the Paris Agreement The SDGs are interconnected. Young people, for their part, and putting the world on a safe They are a network of interdependent, continue to face alarmingly high rates trajectory of keeping global indivisible, mutually reinforcing of unemployment and exclusion, and temperature increase below two targets - the DNA of our sustainable WKHLUYRLFHVDUH\HWWREHVXIÀFLHQWO\ degrees Celsius. United Nations development agenda. In taking these included in the deliberations affecting Secretary-General António Guterres interactions into account, we must their lives and futures. has decided to convene a Climate strengthen collaboration among all Those furthest behind must be our Summit in 2019 to accelerate relevant sectors and partners when top priority. momentum. We must also invest making plans and strategies, allocating Second, we must shift to sustainable in science and technology to budgets or evaluating performance. consumption and production patterns. ÀQGPRUHHIIHFWLYHVROXWLRQVWR Cohesive, joined-up decision-making According to NASA (National decouple growth from emissions and is a must for the SDGs era. Aeronautics and Space Administration environmental degradation; develop Fourth, we must mobilise resources of the United States), 2017 was likely incentives to guide the practises through all possible channels - to have been the second warmest year of businesses and communities, public and private, domestic and on record, behind only 2016. Last especially among young people; and international. year also ties with 2011 for the highest address the tensions between needs 2IÀFLDO'HYHORSPHQW$VVLVWDQFH number of billion-dollar disasters in a and wants in a world of 7.5 billion is a commitment and still plays an single year. people. indispensable role, but increasingly it

74 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Guterres has set out a vision for The United Nations looks transformation that encompasses the strengthening of UN country teams forward to working with the and the Resident Coordinator system, and the sharpening of critical capacities. Commonwealth and all partners Our aim is to build a UN system that is accountable, results-driven, responsive to enable all humankind to enjoy and cohesive in supporting Member States as they take the lead in building a a future of peace and prosperity better future for their citizens. With concerted action across these on a healthy planet. ÀYHLPSHUDWLYHVZHFDQPRYHWKH

Participants from Liberia and Malawi at the end of their six- month solar engineering course. Credit: UN Women/Gaganjit Singh Women/Gaganjit UN Credit:

is complemented by innovative ways Fifth, we must adapt our SDGs from promise to practise. of resource mobilisation, as well as institutions to meet the greater Not long ago, speaking at the South-South Cooperation. demands of a new paradigm in United Nations, Commonwealth 7KHÀQDQFLQJUHTXLUHPHQWVIRU international development. Secretary-General Patricia Scotland realising the SDGs and the Paris The interconnected nature of the stressed the importance of pressing Agreement are considerable. The Agenda, and its ambition to take care governments to take concerted Addis Ababa Action Agenda provides of the furthest behind, require us to steps towards the SDGs. “You the framework and blueprint for go beyond institutional barriers and keep on talking and you don’t global cooperation. Development intellectual silos. Many countries shut up”, she said; “Put a pin on EDQNVKDYHVLJQLÀFDQWSRWHQWLDOWR have established inter-ministerial governments' chairs until they are upscale their contributions. coordination mechanisms within held accountable”. %XWSXEOLFÀQDQFHDORQHLVQRW their governments, as well as various In that spirit, the United Nations VXIÀFLHQW)LQDQFLDOV\VWHPVZLOO channels for meaningful engagement looks forward to working with the need to become more responsive and with stakeholders. Commonwealth and all partners innovative, and aligned with the 2030 The United Nations development to enable all humankind to enjoy a $JHQGD'LJLWDOÀQDQFHZLOOSOD\D system must also adapt. Guided by future of peace and prosperity on a major role in connecting the world. the 2030 Agenda, Secretary-General healthy planet.

75 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

PLACING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT THE HEART OF DEVELOPMENT

Dr Greg Munro, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum looks at the crucial role of local governments and communities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

ne of the reasons put forward national and local governments need for a number of countries to commit to achieving the Sustainable Ofailing to achieve many Development Goals and targets. of the targets of the Millennium However in doing so, we need to be Development Goals was that, in some cognisant of a number of issues. cases, the planning was too ‘top down’ Firstly, there needs to be considerable DQGGLGQRWVXIÀFLHQWO\LQYROYHORFDO political will and commitment. As governments and communities in its in Rwanda, SDGs need to be widely implementation. The more recent 17 integrated into governmental policy. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Given the dependence on local have over 160 targets, of which almost government for the achievement of so two-thirds cannot be achieved without many targets, we need to ‘rethink’ our the engagement of local government. approach to multi-level governance, Dr Greg Munro, The Commonwealth Local instilling greater trust between different Secretary-General, Government Forum (CLGF), spheres of government, and between Commonwealth Local together with other international local local government and its citizens. Government Forum government stakeholders, actively As trust in local government grows, participates in a Global Task Force so should the enabling legislative on local and regional governments; to framework for progressive and effective advocate for and ensure the inclusion of decentralisation processes. local governments and the communities Secondly, we need to engage our they serve, in planning, implementing youth. The Commonwealth’s 53 and monitoring the SDGs. There are member countries have a combined already best practice examples in the population of more than two billion, Commonwealth. Rwanda, for instance, of which more than 60 per cent are We need to has integrated the goals and targets under 30 years of age. The more the across national policies and programmes young citizens of the Commonwealth put communities and partnered with local governments respond to, and participate in the on implementation plans. global development agenda, the more at the centre of If we are to create a more sustainable the achievements will be. prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair Participation in local decision-making, what we do. future for Commonwealth citizens, local leadership around the SDGs

76 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Rwanda has successfully integrated national planning with local government implementation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

and youth-led developmental action able to contact the mayor or councillor cannot achieve our developmental at a community level are required for through smartphone applications or aims unless we collaborate and lasting change. IT; to community budgeting initiatives, partner at a Commonwealth level. Thirdly, the world faces continued advisory ward committees, multi- Each member state can lay claim migration into cities. More than half stakeholder integrated development to a number of good practice of the world’s population lives in cities plans, community forums and mayoral examples. There is a need to create and by 2050 this will rise to 70 per cent. ‘listening’ campaigns. opportunities that enable us to A young, rapidly urbanising population Fifthly, we need to prioritise learn from these examples, and will create the greatest challenges - or LQQRYDWLYHÀQDQFLDODQGWHFKQRORJLFDO the Commonwealth is a wonderful opportunities - for the Commonwealth mechanisms to realise our goals. mechanism for such learning. Some in the future. There are two different Achieving the SDGs will require years ago, CLGF developed the visual representations of rapid considerable resources, talent and Aberdeen Agenda, a set of principles urbanisation. One is of a densely commitment. New ways for raising on good practice for local democracy populated, voiceless people living capital must be investigated: options and good governance, which was in peri-urban squalor, with limited for community development around endorsed by the Commonwealth economic opportunities and grinding new infrastructure nodes must be Heads of Government. CLGF has poverty. The other is of a community implemented; and access to green also established a Commonwealth that is socially and economically ÀQDQFLQJPXQLFLSDOERQGVDQG Sustainable Cities Network. integrated across the city, with inward attracting inward investment and Finding best practice examples on investment and job creation, and where trade are all key areas to explore. The implementing these principles in citizens have meaningful engagement use of new and disruptive technology large city contexts, and sharing these on decisions which affect their daily IRUHIÀFLHQF\DQGLQQRYDWLRQLV across Commonwealth cities and local lives. We need to commit to making essential and CLGF has a global governments remains as one of our this second option a reality. partnership with Microsoft to expand key tasks. Fourthly, communities and citizens our understanding of this for our Across the Commonwealth, we across the Commonwealth must Commonwealth members. Many of need to commit to improving the be at the centre of all we do. Local these issues were incorporated into the lives of all of our citizens. Aligning government is the point of meaningful theme of the recent CLGF biennial democracy and development at the contact between government and conference hosted by the Government local government level creates the communities, and is where democracy of Malta in November 2017. foundation for powerful action in and development is most keenly Finally, and essentially, we need this regard. If we truly believe in the experienced - or missed! As our to collaborate. We cannot achieve role of local government across the populations and their needs grow, our developmental aims unless we Commonwealth, we also need to put greater innovation and effort are collaborate and partner at country and communities at the centre of what we required to keep that interface real and community level with our citizens, do. It is their future, it’s a common tangible between local government the private sector, civil society, social future and as the theme of CHOGM and its citizens. Numerous good enterprises, developmental agencies 2018 reminds us, we need to move practice examples exist: from being and other stakeholders. We also ‘Towards a Common Future’.

77 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

PATHWAY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, advocates that a country’s sustainable future must be built on the foundation of self-discipline and equity, and outlines his pathway for a sustainable future in Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth.

y vision for the Commonwealth of Nations Mand our collective future includes prosperous economies, green environments, and inclusive, harmonious and just societies – leaving no one behind. By the middle of the century, the planet will withstand a population of 9-10 billion people, who will need adequate natural resources, sustainable livelihoods and economic progress. Issues like overexploitation of scarce resources, pollution, declining biodiversity and climate change require practical and sustainable solutions. Learning from the Buddhist traditions prevalent in Sri Lanka, there DUHWKUHHW\SHVRIKXPDQFRQÁLFWV )LUVWWKHFRQÁLFWEHWZHHQKXPDQ beings and nature – where modern humanity seeks to enjoy material comforts in life, by overexploiting natural resources and harming the environment. 6HFRQGWKHFRQÁLFWEHWZHHQ humans – which occurs among individuals, communities and nations. The UN Universal Declaration of +XPDQ5LJKWVDIÀUPVWKDWFRQÁLFWV occur when human rights are not protected by rule of law. Maithripala Sirisena, 7KLUGWKHFRQÁLFWEHWZHHQJRRG President, Sri Lanka and bad pulses within each human

78 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

being. This is the root cause of FRQÁLFWEHFDXVHWKHWZRW\SHVDERYH Extremism, overconsumption, arise when we lose this battle within us, as human beings. environmental harm, human rights Extremism, overconsumption, environmental harm, human rights violations and income inequality violations and income inequality are all results of our inability to contain are all results of our inability to overindulgence. This, in turn, can FDXVHLQVHFXULW\FRQÁLFWULJKWV contain overindulgence. violations and exploitation. 7KHHGLÀFHRIVXVWDLQDEOH development should therefore be built Sri Lanka is the oldest modern climate change. We are already facing upon the foundation of self-discipline democracy in Asia, and the values we its adverse impacts in the form of and equity. If this could be practised aspire to are very much in line with droughts, unprecedented and rising at a personal, community, national and the Commonwealth: to build a just, WHPSHUDWXUHÁRRGVXQVHDVRQDEOHUDLQ global level, it would mark a giant leap peaceful and prosperous world. We and coastal erosion. Collective action forward for humankind. have resolutely protected democracy is required to arrest vulnerabilities and Sri Lanka has already embarked in our country despite pressing increase resilience, with strategies in on the Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 challenges. We have succeeded in SODFHIRULQQRYDWLYHIXQGLQJ6SHFLÀF Vision – our own strategic plan to retaining state social welfare policies policies and efforts are needed to harmonise the economic, social and that have existed since Independence, ensure that green growth is inclusive environmental dimensions of the including universal free education, and environmental sustainability is not Sustainable Development Triangle. By free healthcare and eradication of at the expense of greater equity and 2030, our national goal is to achieve poverty, enabling a high score in the poverty alleviation. high middle-income status, and Human Development Index. Development should result in become a prosperous, green, inclusive Sri Lanka has already embarked on empowerment of women and youth and harmonious Indian Ocean hub. a drive to integrate closely with the and assure security for children. Our practical strategy for achieving global economy, to strengthen trade Youth is the driving force for sustainable development follows a DQGÀQDQFLDOUHODWLRQV,QRXUTXHVWWR economic advancement and its Balanced Inclusive Green Growth work towards the prospect of realising marginalisation will be a cause for (BIGG) path, which resonates with US $2 trillion intra-Commonwealth FRQÁLFW1DWLRQDOSROLFLHVPXVWEH the teaching of the Lord Buddha and trade by 2030, we should resolve to geared towards transforming young the tradition of the middle path. ensure inclusive growth for the poor people into a totally skilled workforce, The BIGG path takes us towards and vulnerable through a transparent, to ensure success in the 21st century a people-orientated and open inclusive, free and open rules-based knowledge-based world. Similarly, socioeconomic system, based on multilateral trading system. programmes to empower women and democratic and pluralistic institutions, We will work with emerging thereby enhance their contribution in that protect our ethical values, economies to transform Sri Lanka development should be implemented. heritage and environment; and built into a centre of excellence in maritime The sustainability of a cohesive, on respect for freedom, justice, equal affairs and the Blue Economy. ethical society, as well as greater opportunities and human rights. The latest budget presented by our economic productivity, rests on equal It will provide a framework for all Government, entitled Blue-Green opportunities for all. stakeholders – in government, the Enterprise, encourages low emission The modern Commonwealth is private sector and civil society – to economic development. Oceanic a driving force for positive change. cooperate effectively in achieving our and marine resources will be used in I believe that it is the duty of each sustainable development vision. a sustainable manner, and organic generation to leave a better country Our focus is to provide a decent farming and clean renewable energy and a world to our children. I view quality of life for all, especially the will be promoted. We will take steps the 2030 Development Agenda not poor and disadvantaged, and meet to encourage research in this area merely as a document agreed to by all basic needs, in line with the spirit of with other Commonwealth member world leaders but as a sacred covenant the Sustainable Development Goals VWDWHV,QDELGWRÀQGDVXVWDLQDEOH between our generation and the next. and UN 2030 Agenda – ‘leaving solution to ocean pollution and solid Commonwealth member states must no one behind’. Beyond these waste management, I announced a rise to this clarion call to urgently fundamental goals, we also support a ban on the use of polythene products address sustainable development vision in which the latest knowledge including oxo-biodegradable plastic issues that threaten life on this one and technologies can help Sri Lanka and extended polystyrene last year. planet that all countries – rich, poor; aspire to more advanced levels of As an island nation, Sri Lanka is small and large – have to share and sustainable development. deeply conscious of the impact of call home.

79 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE THROUGH EDUCATION

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, explains how inclusive and equitable access to quality education is essential for our new global citizens and the creation of a sustainable future for all.

KHEHQHÀWVRIHGXFDWLRQDUH WRUHWKLQNRXUHGXFDWLRQV\VWHPVWR XQHTXLYRFDOIURPHUDGLFDWLQJ PDNHWKHPPRUHVXVWDLQDEOHDQG TSRYHUW\DQGKXQJHULPSURYLQJ UHVLOLHQW7KLVLVZK\LWZDVÀWWLQJWKDW KHDOWKSURWHFWLQJWKHSODQHWDQG SDUWLFLSDQWVDWWKHWK&RQIHUHQFHRI EXLOGLQJSHDFHIXOVRFLHWLHV3URPRWLQJ &RPPRQZHDOWK(GXFDWLRQ0LQLVWHUV LQFOXVLYHDQGHTXLWDEOHDFFHVVWR &&(0 JDWKHUHGIRUWKHÀUVWWLPH TXDOLW\HGXFDWLRQIRUDOOLVDWWKHKHDUW LQWKH3DFLÀFUHJLRQLQHDUO\WR RIWKH$JHQGDIRU6XVWDLQDEOH GLVFXVVDIUDQNTXHVWLRQ¶6XVWDLQDELOLW\ 'HYHORSPHQWDQGHVVHQWLDOIRUIDFLQJ DQG5HVLOLHQFH&DQ(GXFDWLRQ WKHFKDOOHQJHVDKHDG 'HOLYHU"· &\FORQH:LQVWRQWKHPRVWSRZHUIXO 7KHVXEVHTXHQW'HFODUDWLRQ RQUHFRUGKDGDGHYDVWDWLQJLPSDFW SURGXFHGE\WKHPLQLVWHUVPDGH LQ)LMLZKHQLWPDGHODQGIDOOLQ LWFOHDU¶(GXFDWLRQ&DQ'HOLYHU· Audrey Azoulay, ,WLVHPEOHPDWLFRIRQHRIWKH +RZHYHUWKHTXHVWLRQLVKRZ Director-General, UNESCO PDMRUFKDOOHQJHVZHFXUUHQWO\IDFH² 7KHUROHRIHGXFDWLRQLQWKH FOLPDWHFKDQJH²DQGZK\ZHQHHG $JHQGDIRU6XVWDLQDEOH'HYHORSPHQW JRHVIDUEH\RQGWKHSURYLVLRQRI EDVLFVNLOOV,WLVDERXWHQVXULQJWKDW LQGLYLGXDOVDUHHPSRZHUHGZLWKWKH Education is the most FRPSHWHQFLHVYDOXHVDQGPLQGVHWV WROLYHWRJHWKHULQVROLGDULW\ZLWKRQH transformational force for RWKHUDQGLQKDUPRQ\ZLWKRXUSODQHW WRFUDIWVROXWLRQVIRUDPRUHVXVWDLQDEOH eradicating poverty, mitigating IXWXUH 7KLVLVQRWDXWRSLFYLVLRQEXWD climate change and coping with JDPHSODQIRURXUIXWXUHZKLFKPXVW JDUQHUWKHHIIRUWVRIDOO²JRYHUQPHQWV the profound shifts driven by PXOWLODWHUDOVFLYLOVRFLHW\DFDGHPLD WKHSULYDWHVHFWRUDQGPRUH7KH accelerating globalisation and the EOXHSULQWIRUFUHDWLQJUHVLOLHQWVRFLHWLHV LVWRUHRULHQWRXUHGXFDWLRQV\VWHPV fourth industrial revolution. WRQXUWXUHWKHJOREDOFLWL]HQVRI

80 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

UHTXLUHGWRHYDOXDWHLQIRUPDWLRQ DQGFUDIWQHZVROXWLRQV²FULWLFDO WKLQNLQJFUHDWLYLW\FROODERUDWLRQ SUREOHPVROYLQJVNLOOV²DQGVNLOOVIRU XQGHUVWDQGLQJDQGOLYLQJZLWKGLYHUVLW\ 6LJQLÀFDQWO\E\DGRSWLQJWKH $JHQGDWKHVHFRXQWULHVFRPPLWWHG QRWRQO\WRHQVXULQJDIXOOF\FOHRI SULPDU\DQGVHFRQGDU\HGXFDWLRQ DQGWRSURPRWLQJOLIHORQJOHDUQLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV7KH\SODFHGDQHZ DQGIUHVKIRFXVRQWKHUHOHYDQFHRI Women from Nkhata Bay in OHDUQLQJDQGRQWKHVNLOOVQHHGHGWR Northern Malawi participate in a OLYHLQDSOXUDOLQWHUGHSHQGHQWDQG bursary programme to become LQWHUFRQQHFWHGZRUOG7KLVPDUNVD certified solar panel technicians. WXUQLQJSRLQWIRUJOREDOHGXFDWLRQ

Credit: ©Gail Swithenbank (Zayed Solar Academy, Partner of UNESCO Skills and Technical Education Program) SROLF\DQGSUDFWLFH 7KLVYLVLRQJRHVWRWKHKHDUWRI 81(6&2·VDFWLRQVWREXLOGPRUH UHVLOLHQWDQGULJKWVEDVHGHGXFDWLRQ Despite the steady rise in V\VWHPVWKDWSURPRWHKXPDQLVWLF YDOXHVSHDFHEXLOGLQJVNLOOVDQG literacy rates over the past 50 NQRZOHGJHWRVKDSHPRUHVXVWDLQDEOH VRFLHWLHV years, there are still 750 million (GXFDWLRQIRUVXVWDLQDEOH GHYHORSPHQWSOD\VDYLWDOUROHKHUH illiterate adults around the world, ZKHWKHULQWKHVPDOOLVODQGGHYHORSLQJ VWDWHV²WKHOHDVWSROOXWLQJEXWDPRQJ most of whom are women. WKHPRVWYXOQHUDEOHWRFOLPDWHFKDQJH ²RUWKHPHJDFLWLHVZLWKRYHU PLOOLRQLQKDELWDQWV WKHIXWXUH7KH&RPPRQZHDOWK² 'HYHORSPHQW*RDORQHGXFDWLRQ 3URSHOOHGE\WKHPRPHQWXPRIWKH UHSUHVHQWLQJDWKLUGRIKXPDQLW\LQDOO 81(6&2·VVWDUWLQJSRLQWLVFOHDU 8QLWHG1DWLRQV'HFDGHIRU(GXFDWLRQ LWVGLYHUVLW\²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²WRUHDFKWKH 81(6&2KDVVXSSRUWHGFRXQWULHVLQ WUDQVIRUPDWLRQLQWKHLUVRFLHWLHV PRVWPDUJLQDOLVHGWDFNOHJHQGHU LQWHJUDWLQJVXVWDLQDEOHGHYHORSPHQW 7KLVGHPDQGVTXDOLW\HGXFDWLRQ LQHTXDOLWLHVHQVXUHWKDWWHDFKHUV FRQFHSWVLQWRFXUULFXODDQG :KLOHWKHPDQWUDRIWKH$JHQGD DUHDGHTXDWHO\WUDLQHGDQGVFKRRO GHYHORSHGSUDFWLFDOWRROVOHDUQLQJ LVWR¶OHDYHQRRQHEHKLQG·JDSLQJ HQYLURQPHQWVDUHVDIHDQGVHFXUH²EXW REMHFWLYHVDQGFRXUVHVWRWHDFK LQHTXDOLWLHVDUHGHSULYLQJPLOOLRQ DUHWKLQNLQJRIWKHYHU\SUDFWLFHRI FOLPDWHFKDQJHLQWKHFODVVURRP RXWRIVFKRROFKLOGUHQDQG\RXWKVRI HGXFDWLRQ 7KLVLVDQH[HUFLVHLQSHGDJRJLFDO DQHGXFDWLRQ6FKRROVDUHIDLOLQJWRR ,WLVHVWLPDWHGWKDWPRUHWKDQÀYH LQQRYDWLRQJLYLQJVWXGHQWVWKHVSDFH PDQ\VWXGHQWVZLWKVL[RXWRIQRW PLOOLRQMREVZLOOEHORVWDVDUHVXOW WRÀQGVROXWLRQVDQGWRPDNHWKHLU JDLQLQJSURÀFLHQWVNLOOVLQVXFKEDVLF RIODERXUPDUNHWFKDQJHVRYHUWKH VFKRROV¶JUHHQ·ZLWKULSSOHHIIHFWVLQ VXEMHFWVDVUHDGLQJDQGPDWKHPDWLFV QH[WÀ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

81 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Children are being educated to create a more sustainable future in this Mountain Sea Project in Morocco. Credit: ©UNESCO/Rob Kamhoot ©UNESCO/Rob Credit:

YLVLRQVRIUHOLJLRQDQGKLVWRU\ The blueprint for creating )URPJXLGDQFHIRUGHFLVLRQPDNHUV DQGHGXFDWRUVWRWKHÁDJVKLS resilient societies is to reorient our 8QLWH+HULWDJHFDPSDLJQWR SURPRWHUHVSHFWIRUWKHGLYHUVLW\RI education systems to nurture the FXOWXUHVDQGWKHLUFRQWULEXWLRQVWR RXUVKDUHGKXPDQLW\81(6&2LV global citizens of the future. ZRUNLQJWRHPSRZHU\RXQJSHRSOHWR EHPRUHUHVLOLHQWDQGWRSURVSHULQD JOREDOLVLQJZRUOG SHUVSHFWLYHVLGHQWLWLHVDQGZRUOG DQGHGXFDWRUVDQGEXLOGLQJQHWZRUNV 7KHSODQHWLVXQGHUSUHVVXUH YLHZVDVZHOODVWRFRPPXQLFDWH DQGVKDULQJEHVWSUDFWLFHV VRFLHWLHVDUHWUDQVIRUPLQJDQG DFURVVFXOWXUDOERXQGDULHVDQGDFW 7KHVSUHDGRIYLROHQWH[WUHPLVP PXOWLODWHUDOLVPLVXQGHUVWUDLQ FROODERUDWLYHO\WRÀ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

82 Since 1883, The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition has encouraged, empowered and inspired young writers to share their thoughts on significant issues of the day. Through this highly-regarded education programme, young voices are amplified to a global level and celebrated for their insight and innovation.

The 2017 Winners from Australia, Canada, India and England at the Award Ceremony with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Recognising Achievement As the only pan-Commonwealth competition for under-18s, the Competition recognises the hard work and talent of young people by awarding every entrant with a Certificate. Since 2010, 75,000 aspiring young writers have received this acknowledgement, sending a clear, positive message to young people of the power of their writing and importance of their voice.

Celebrating young writers With over 60% of Commonwealth citizens under 30, it is important to celebrate young ideas and contributions. The Competition applauds young writers, as expressed at the 2017 Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace when HRH The Duchess of Cornwall praised the Winners for ‘the way you have crafted words so beautifully to create wonderful pieces of writing’, while presenting certificates on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.

Developing key skills The Competition supports young people in developing skills invaluable to future endeavours. Through careful consideration of the topic, critical thinking and analysis abilities grow. Writing inspires imagination and the ability to craft an argument. English language skills are developed by enhancing vocabulary, becoming more familiar with grammar and encouraging the use of language to express a point to the fullest.

Inspiring creative thinking For many students across the Commonwealth, English is taught as a formal, academic endeavour. This Competition is an opportunity for young people and teachers to be more creative with language and explore different mediums. The 2018 theme of the Competition, ‘Towards a Common Future’, calls for imaginative, forward-thinking pieces and is the perfect starting-point for developing new perspectives.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition welcomes entries on ‘Towards a Common Future’ until 1st June 2018. www.thercs.org/competition A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

A NEW ERA FOR EDUCATION FINANCING

Julia Gillard, Chair of the Global Partnership for Education and former Prime Minister of Australia, implores wealthier nations to prioritise global education funding, to put all countries on a path to economic prosperity, social stability and security.

nequality and joblessness, the clearest pathway for low income especially for young people, have nations to outpace poverty and Ibeen cited by the World Economic dependence on aid. Forum as among the top global risk But as we know, while education factors, for several consecutive years. matters for economic growth, it matters Many nations are on the brink of one IRUVRPXFKPRUH,WLVDVLJQLÀFDQW of two potential futures. Every nation determinant of the peace and stability can reap the demographic dividends of societies, for example, and it is from the energy and talent of their now crystal clear that education also young people. Or, if they fail to educate improves health outcomes. WKHPVHHVLJQLÀFDQWHFRQRPLFORVVHV Better educated populations make DUPHGFRQÁLFWEUDLQGUDLQDQGVRFLDO healthier choices for themselves and and political unrest. their families. Should an epidemic Julia Gillard, The relationship between higher strike, higher education facilitates Chair, Global Partnership levels of education and economic better understanding about what for Education growth is proven and clear. We know is happening, as well as better that in low income countries, every compliance with health warnings. dollar invested in a child’s education We know that education is a generates more than $5 in additional preventive factor in the spread of annual gross earnings, even after HIV – especially for girls. Every taking costs into account and allowing additional year of secondary school for the variable quality of education. VLJQLÀFDQWO\UHGXFHVDJLUO·VULVNRI ,QORZHUPLGGOHLQFRPHFRXQWULHVWKH contracting the virus. rate of return is $2.50 for every dollar An educated mother is also much invested. If the quality of that education more likely to marry and have improves, the returns are even higher. children later in life, to vaccinate her Individual earnings rise by about children and to have them sleep under 10 per cent for each additional year of mosquito nets to prevent malaria. schooling received by a child; and if There are, of course, huge economic every child in low income countries EHQHÀWVWREHJDLQHGIURPPRUH were able to complete secondary women entering the workforce, so school by 2030, income per capita using the talents and potential of the would increase by 75 per cent. whole population. Indeed, education On these numbers alone, education is the bedrock of women’s economic is obviously a good investment and empowerment.

84 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

*LYHQWKHPDQ\DQGYDULHGEHQHÀWV of education, it was saddening and Individual earnings rise by gallingly irrational to see that aid to education from the world’s richest about 10 per cent for each nations dropped from 13 per cent of total aid in 2002, to 10 per cent in additional year of schooling 2014. By contrast, the share of aid for health rose from 15 to 18 per cent. received by a child. Fortunately, there is now a growing momentum for change. This was clearly demonstrated at the Financing education spending to a total of US$110 bilateral aid and multilateral funding. Conference of the Global Partnership ELOOLRQGXULQJUHSUHVHQWLQJ Wealthier donor countries are for Education (GPE) – which I Chair an increase of US$80 billion compared HVVHQWLDOWRÀOOLQJWKDWJDS – in Dakar, Senegal in early 2018. to the previous three years. In Dakar, we saw a global focus on GPE urges its 60+ developing Although impressive, it is still not doing just that, with unprecedented country partners to increase their enough to boost progress toward political support and encouraging share of education spending to 20 per educating all the world’s children ÀQDQFLQJFRPPLWPHQWVIRUHGXFDWLQJ cent of their overall domestic budgets. by 2030 – the target established in every child in the world, including the At our Financing Conference, the Sustainable Development Goals. poorest and most marginalised. more than 50 nations heeded this Low income countries need the 7KHFRQIHUHQFHZDVFRFRQYHQHGE\ call, pledging to further increase their help of external partners, through Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal and Emmanuel Macron of France. This ZDVWKHÀUVWWLPHWKDWWKHOHDGHUVRID donor government and a developing While education matters for country have jointly hosted such a ÀQDQFLQJHYHQW economic growth, it matters for )RU*3(WKLVFRKRVWLQJ symbolised the spirit of partnership so much more. that is at the core of everything

85 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

we do, as the only multilateral organisation solely devoted to ensuring every child gets a quality school education. Our work with Commonwealth countries is substantial. The United Kingdom and Canada announced major funding increases to GPE in Dakar, and importantly, GPE funding reaches many developing Commonwealth countries, including: Bangladesh, Cameroon, Dominica, Grenada, The Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. A growing number of civil society pledged major new support in the “Investing in education is the most organisations have joined advocacy hundreds of millions of dollars. FRVWHIIHFWLYHZD\WRGULYHHFRQRPLF efforts to ensure that decision makers Also, the United Arab Emirates development, improve skills and around the world recognise that MRLQHG*3(EHFDPHWKHÀUVW$UDE opportunities for young women and #FundEducation is key. The singer and Middle East donor country, with men, to unlock progress on all 17 and songwriter Rihanna, and GPE’s DVLJQLÀFDQWLQLWLDOSOHGJHRI86 Sustainable Development Goals and global ambassador, tweeted global million. The Netherlands and Spain WRSUHYHQWFRQÁLFWDQGVXVWDLQSHDFH leaders in support of the campaign. announced they were renewing their We must work with governments Donor countries have substantially SDUWQHUVKLSVZLWK*3(DIWHUDWKUHH and donors to increase education LQFUHDVHGWKHLUÀQDQFLQJWR*3( year absence. funding around the world … IRUWR86ELOOLRQ We were pleased to welcome, The Global Partnership for compared to the US$1.3 billion for the first time at a GPE Education’s Financing Conference is contributed over the past three years. replenishment conference, a senior RXUÀUVWRSSRUWXQLW\WRWXUQSROLWLFDO In addition, several donor countries representative of the government of commitment into tangible support.” have indicated their intention to China, who pledged collaboration Whether GPE’s Financing pledge further funds. with GPE in the future. Conference really prompts the start of The United Kingdom increased Private sector companies joined a new, invigorated global movement its contribution by more than 50 per GPE’s new data solutions initiative, in support of education, depends on cent to a record GBP 252 million. and our host Senegal demonstrated what leaders do now. The European Union, with a pledge its leadership in global education International meetings like of EUR 337.5 million, became GPE’s with an extraordinary announcement the Commonwealth Heads of biggest donor over the 2018 to 2020 by President Sall that his country Government Meeting (CHOGM) ÀQDQFLQJSHULRG)UDQFHLQFUHDVHG ZRXOGEHFRPH*3(·VÀUVWGHYHORSLQJ provide opportunities to advance its contribution by more than tenfold country donor with a contribution of the cause of education, which is from EUR 17 million to EUR 200 US$2 million. fundamental to putting countries, million. Canada and Ireland both In September 2017, the United regions and indeed the entire world, doubled their annual contributions. 1DWLRQV6HFUHWDU\*HQHUDO$QWyQLR on a path to economic prosperity, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway all Guterres, spoke the following words: social stability and security. $VDIRUPHU&KDLULQ2IÀFHRI CHOGM, I know that the extensive OHDGHUVRQO\PHHWLQJSURYLGHVDNH\ Low income countries need opportunity to talk through the most pressing and important issues. I trust the help of external partners, that participant nations at CHOGM 2018 are frank about what they are through bilateral aid and doing to achieve education for all and what more they need to do in the future, multilateral funding. Wealthier and that their discussions add further energy and momentum to the global donor countries are essential. campaign for education for all.

86 Offi ce of the Vice-Chancellor

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a Federal University located in Enugu State. It was founded in 1955 and formally opened on 7th October 1960, operating from three campuses in Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku Ozalla. The University of Nigeria prides itself as being the fi rst university in Nigeria modelled on the American education system. It was also the fi rst land-grant university throughout Africa and continues to rank among the fi ve elite universities within Nigeria. Classes began at the Nsukka Campus on 17th October 1960, with an enrolment of 220 students and 13 academic staff.

With its motto: “to Restore the Dignity of Man”, the University today has grown to 17 Faculties and over one hundred Departments. The main campus of the University is located on nearly 900 hectares of hilly savannah in Nsukka, some 80km north of Enugu, the State capital. The Nsukka campus enjoys a pleasant and healthy climate. An additional 200 hectares of arable land is available for agriculture, while another 200 hectares is set aside for the staff housing project.

The University of Nigeria is renowned for having produced fi rst class academics and administrators. Notable amongst these is the author, Chinua Achebe, who held a research and teaching appointment at the University in the early 1970s and the astrophysicist, Sam Okoye, who founded the Space Research Centre in 1972. The Centre remains one of the few institutions in Africa which researches and offers courses in astronomy, at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Medical School performs most of its activities in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), where doctors and other health workers are trained to exceptionally high standards and have proven over the years that they can effect a signifi cant positive change in Africa, and for the entire healthcare system globally. Doctors and nurses trained in the institution have also contributed signifi cantly to the advancement of medicine. The fi rst open-heart surgery in sub-Saharan Africa was performed at the UNTH in 1974. The team of surgeons were led by the visiting Professor Yacoub from the United Kingdom, assisted by the Nigerian Professors Adikwu and Anyanwu. With the siting of the Nigerian National Cardiothoracic Centre at UNTH Enugu, the College of Medicine has since developed into the centre of excellence for cardiothoracic surgery and tropical cardiology for the entire West African region.

Today, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka has a particular focus on science and innovation. Through its iconic and visionary Vice- Chancellor, Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, the University has added to its record of innovations by launching a fully- fl edged, university-embedded science and technology incubator called the “Roar Nigeria Hub”, which provides professional support to start-ups, researchers, entrepreneurs and SMEs. The Hub is the fi rst of its kind in any university in West Africa.

Adding to this, the University has set up its own fully functional laptop assembly plant, which produces the ‘Lion’ brand laptop and, aiming even higher in an effort to produce IT-skilled graduates, the Vice-Chancellor has designated nearly 50 hectares of land for the construction of a new Science Park in collaboration with the Swedish Government.

The University of Nigeria remains the centre for academic excellence.

www.unn.edu.ng A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

ACHIEVING LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL

Asha Kanwar, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning, urges us to harness the potential of open, distance and technology- based approaches to learning to bring us closer to our goal of achieving lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.

even decades ago, the UN the children who will reach enrolment declared that education is a basic age between now and 2025, we will Shuman right. In spite of key need to build four new universities every global interventions towards achieving single week with a capacity of 30,000! Universal Primary Education (UPE), Sustainable Development Goal there were still 264 million primary and 4 aspires to ‘ensure inclusive and secondary age children and youths out equitable quality education and of school in 2015 (UNESCO, 2017). Of promote lifelong learning opportunities the 1.2 billion young people between for all’ by 2030. On current trends, the ages of 15-24, more than 100 universal primary education will only million still cannot read, most of them be achieved in 2042; universal lower in developing countries (UNESCO, secondary by 2059 and universal upper 2017). While access to educational secondary by 2084 (UNESCO, 2016). Asha S. Kanwar, opportunities has increased, it has not What are the options for improving President and CEO, necessarily resulted in learning (World this picture? One approach would be to Commonwealth of Learning Bank, 2018). Completion rates are harness the potential of open distance JURZLQJEXWOHDUQLQJSURÀFLHQF\LVQRW and technology-based learning to In the previous decade, we have achieve both speed and scale. witnessed an unprecedented demand for Open and distance learning has been higher education. In 2007, there were adopted by various governments as it 150 million tertiary students globally allows them to address issues of access (Altbach, Reisberg, & Rumbley, 2009) and equity, improve quality and cut and the numbers increased to 165 costs. Today, the 31 open universities million in 2012 with an estimate that in the Commonwealth alone provide this is expected to rise to 262 million ÁH[LEOHOHDUQLQJRSSRUWXQLWLHVIRU in 2025 (Maslen, 2012) and 522 million DSSUR[LPDWHO\ÀYHPLOOLRQOHDUQHUV by 2035 (Calderon, 2012). In real terms For example, Indira Gandhi National it means that if we are to accommodate Open University in India enrolls over

88 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

One example of the impact on Women farmers in Garu-Tempane economic growth is COL’s Lifelong District of Ghana displaying Learning for Farmers initiative, their passbooks after a financial which uses ICT-based open and literacy session. GLVWDQFHOHDUQLQJWROLQNÀQDQFLDO capital, human capital and social capital to lift thousands of farmers, without prior access to learning opportunities, out of poverty. Research shows that for every dollar invested, income and assets worth $9 have been generated among farming communities in India (Naveen Kumar, & Kulkarni, 2013). Another study indicates that a one per cent increase in empowerment induced by learning among women entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid can LQFUHDVHSURÀWVRIWKHHQWHUSULVHE\ 2.3 per cent (Yindok, 2016). Whereas in remote regions of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Mozambique and Tanzania, distance learning and technology has improved social inclusion for 45,000 girls and women, training them in skills for employment or entrepreneurship over a period of three years. A COL study indicates that skilling the girls and women has increased their chances of employment by 50 per cent and has half a million students every year at to quality education, but can also be had an impact on preventing early and approximately one third of the cost deployed to promote lifelong learning, forced marriage (Cohn, 2018). of campus education. Technology which includes non-formal and informal Finally, an example of how open DQGPHGLDSOD\DVLJQLÀFDQWUROHLQ learning. As an intergovernmental and distance learning can enhance bridging the communication gap organisation created by Commonwealth environmental conservation is the between teacher and learner in these Heads of Government to promote Green Teacher programme. COL has universities. Research comparing the development and sharing of open supported the development of a Green distance education, online learning and and distance learning knowledge, Teacher programme for teacher training face-to-face education has indicated resources and technologies, COL has at The Centre for Environmental WKDWWKHUHLV¶QRVLJQLÀFDQWGLIIHUHQFH· demonstrated the impact of open and Education, India, with the aim of in learning outcomes. However, a distance learning in transforming improving environmental awareness major difference is in the ability of lives and communities. Through among school children from the early open and distance learning to reach a innovative open and distance learning stages. The Centre is now sharing far greater number of learners. approaches, COL works with partner its expertise and experience with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) organisations in the Commonwealth National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, believes that open and distance learning to achieve developmental impact: Nigeria, to develop this course. has the potential not only to address economic growth, social inclusion and These are just a few highlights to the challenges of increasing access environmental conservation. demonstrate how learning can lead to sustainable development. Open and distance learning is a tried and tested approach in formal education. Of the 1.2 billion young The global community now needs to adopt open and distance learning and people between the ages of technology-enabled learning in the informal sector of learning as well. 15-24, more than 100 million This will bring us closer to our goal of achieving lifelong learning for all still cannot read. by 2030.

89 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE SHOULD BE EVERYONE’S RIGHT

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization fi rmly believes that no one should have to choose between death and poverty, and calls on Commonwealth countries to commit to universal health coverage and invest in a healthier, safer and fairer world.

few years ago a friend of mine Universal health coverage (UHC) was diagnosed with cancer. is the practical expression of the right AHe lived in a high-income to health. It means that all people, country, with access to some of the best including the most disadvantaged, treatment in the world. He had two can access the quality health services options. He could have been treated, they need, when and where they but it would have cost him most or all QHHGWKHPZLWKRXWIDFLQJÀQDQFLDO of the money he had put aside for his hardship. family’s future. Or he could forego WHO’s new 5-year strategic plan sets treatment, allow the disease to run an ambitious target for seeing 1 billion its course and die knowing his family PRUHSHRSOHHQMR\LQJWKHEHQHÀWVRI would have a more comfortable life, health coverage by 2023. This is just even if he was not there to enjoy it with ÀYH\HDUVDZD\EXW,EHOLHYHLWLVWUXO\ Dr Tedros Adhanom them. He chose the latter. achievable. Ghebreyesus, This is an outrage. No one should I was tremendously encouraged Director-General, have to choose between death and that last year’s Commonwealth World Health Organization ÀQDQFLDOKDUGVKLS Health Ministers Meeting ended But the shocking truth is that this is with agreements to mobilise political a reality for millions of people every commitment for UHC. This is vital year. At least half the world’s population because ultimately, UHC is a political is still missing out on essential health choice. services, and almost 100 million people All over the world there are are pushed into extreme poverty every great examples of countries already year because of out-of-pocket health demonstrating their commitment to spending. UHC. Many are in Commonwealth Seventy years ago, WHO was founded countries. High-income countries such on the conviction that health is a human as Australia, Canada, New Zealand right, not a privilege. No one should get and Singapore boast advanced health sick and die just because they are poor, systems that deliver world-class or because they cannot access or afford services and some of the best health the health services they need. outcomes in the world.

90 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

By a happy coincidence, 2018 also marks the 70th anniversary of the At least half the world’s United Kingdom’s National Health Service. In many ways the NHS is the population is still missing out on embodiment of WHO’s vision for a world in which all people can access essential health services. the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing ÀQDQFLDOKDUGVKLS system throughout the nation’s 600 one country can pose a risk to the entire But UHC is not just a luxury islands, from small rural clinics to the world. UHC and health security are two for wealthy countries. Many National Referral Hospital. sides of the same coin. other Commonwealth nations are Similar stories can be told about Seventy years since our founding, demonstrating that UHC can be a reality Botswana, Ghana, Malaysia, Rwanda WHO is more committed than ever to for all countries, at all income levels. and others. realising the vision of UHC. Earlier this year I was in Kenya, The experience of all of these For that reason, we have made UHC where President Uhuru Kenyatta countries attests to the fact that the the theme of World Health Day, which recently announced that affordable EHQHÀWVRI8+&JRIDUEH\RQGEHWWHU we will celebrate on 7 April in Sri health care will be one of four pillars health. It also reduces poverty by Lanka, another Commonwealth country of the Kenyan economy for his eliminating one of its causes; it creates that is also marking a 70th birthday VHFRQGWHUPLQRIÀFH+HKDVDVNHG jobs for health and care workers; it - of independence - and which is a WHO for support in selecting the drives inclusive economic growth by celebrated UHC success story. EHVWKHDOWKÀQDQFLQJPRGHOWRPDNH ensuring people are healthy and able to Earlier this year, I issued a this vision a reality. work; and it promotes gender equality, challenge to all countries to take Just recently, India announced a because it is often women who miss out three concrete steps towards UHC, major increase in its health budget, on health services. and at this year’s World Health ZKLFKZLOOEHQHÀWPLOOLRQSHRSOH Crucially, UHC is also an investment Assembly we are asking that as many and establish 150,000 new health and in a safer world. Countries with strong countries as possible come to Geneva wellness centres. And the Solomon health systems are better able to prevent, ready to make commitments about Islands has embarked on a bold plan detect and respond to outbreaks. the actions they will take. WRGHÀQHSDFNDJHVRIVHUYLFHVWREH The painful lesson of the 2014 Ebola 7KHUHLVQRRQHVL]HÀWVDOOVROXWLRQ delivered at all levels of the health epidemic is that a weak health system in for UHC. Every country is different DQGPXVWÀQGLWVRZQZD\LQWKH context of its own political, economic and social circumstances. But countries There is no one-size-fits-all that commit to the destination make a vital investment in a healthier, safer and solution for UHC. fairer world.

91 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AND THE IMPACT OF POLIO ERADICATION

Ian Riseley, President of Rotary International, discusses how we can apply polio eradication learnings and assets to help tackle other serious health issues across the Commonwealth.

hen the Global Polio of over US$15 billion to date. It Eradication Initiative has united Commonwealth and W(GPEI) was launched in non-Commonwealth countries, 1988, the endeavour was met with governments and non-governmental a great deal of scepticism. Despite agencies, philanthropists and individual the many voices saying that it could donors, and a vast network of staff never be done, the GPEI’s partners and volunteers, to become the largest - Rotary, the WHO, the United public-private health initiative in States Centers for Disease Control history. The magnitude of the effort and Prevention and UNICEF - has been breathtaking, and the results were convinced that polio could be have been historic. eliminated, and set an ambitious In 2017, wild poliovirus paralysed target date for eradication. only 22 children: the lowest number in Ian Riseley, Within a few years of steady progress, history, and a 99.99 per cent reduction President, Rotary International it became clear that while eradication on the thousand children paralysed was possible, it would be a far more every day in 1988. Thanks in large complicated matter than originally part to longstanding support by the anticipated. Reaching every child on Commonwealth - collectively and on earth with two drops of vaccine was a the part of individual countries - we simple goal, but the sheer scale of the are closer than we have ever been exercise gave rise to immensely complex to stopping transmission of the wild logistical challenges. Nevertheless, poliovirus. the GPEI persisted, answering each As we look ahead to that success, it of these challenges with astonishing is essential that we also look forward, determination, creativity and tenacity. not only towards the goal we will Every setback was met with renewed soon achieve, but beyond it. When we UHVROYHWRÀQGQHZZD\VDURXQGHDFK ÀUVWXQGHUWRRNWRHUDGLFDWHSROLRZH obstacle, and keep moving forward underestimated the time it would take, towards the end. simply because we did not realise how Polio eradication ultimately much else we would have to do, build, became the work of more than create and learn, to reach that primary three decades, and an investment goal. Today, as a result of that work,

92 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

A child receives polio vaccine during a National Immunization Day. Credit: Rotary International

we have achieved much more than the task we initially set out to do. Indeed, The infrastructure to support the WKHDFFUXHGDQGRQJRLQJEHQHÀWVRIWKH work of the GPEI, beyond its reduction work of polio eradication has proven of polio, are staggering in their scope and breadth. invaluable in addressing many other In every part of the world where the GPEI is active, well-coordinated crises of public health. global health partnerships are supporting the existing health systems, strengthening capacity The infrastructure that has been reactive and preemptive vaccination for social mobilisation, disease created to support the work of polio campaign - interrupting transmission, surveillance and rapid response. eradication has, over time, proven and saving untold lives. Because of the experience gained invaluable in addressing many other %\GHÀQLWLRQHUDGLFDWLRQRQFH over many years of mass vaccination crises of public health. When Ebola reached, will be permanent. While campaigns and outbreak response, threatened West Africa in 2014, one of itself a monumental achievement, global capacity for pandemic response the worst-case scenarios to be modelled polio eradication should not be the is far greater than it would otherwise was the disease reaching Lagos - RQO\HQGXULQJEHQHÀWRIWKH*3(,·V have been. Health education carried one of the largest and most densely work, or the only return on the out in tandem with polio-related populated urban areas in Africa, with world’s collective investment. The activities has increased awareness and a highly mobile population. When Commonwealth is now faced with an understanding of health issues - from (ERODGLGDUULYHLQ/DJRVRQDÁLJKW unprecedented and unique opportunity childhood diseases to basic hygiene. from Liberia, it travelled no further, to leverage its past investment, and Advocates for polio eradication have because the emergency operations build on its continuing leadership, by improved levels of immunisation centre, the response procedures transitioning the assets, infrastructure against other communicable diseases, and the surveillance infrastructure and lessons of polio eradication, to such as mumps, measles, hepatitis of polio were there and ready, able EHQHÀWWKHJRDOVRI8QLYHUVDO+HDOWK and Rotavirus. And the involvement to stop its spread. Two years later, Coverage and Global Health Security. of community-based volunteers, when yellow fever threatened the As we plan together Towards a increasingly including women, has Democratic Republic of Congo, Common Future - one free of polio - it strengthened local support for public it was the experience of past polio is also time to plan for that transition, health initiatives, even in areas where vaccination campaigns that allowed the to provide for that investment, and to such initiatives have traditionally been government, with support from the take to heart all the lessons that this met with mistrust. WHO and partners, to launch a prompt bold initiative has taught us.

93 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION MUST BE A PRIORITY

Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, calls for commonwealth governments to prioritise the preservation of the global environment and stresses the need for concrete climate change mitigation measures.

he theme for the 2018 Summit ‘Towards a Common Future’ Tconstitutes a pledge to shape a new destiny for the peoples of the Commonwealth. The task ahead is highly ambitious, but we owe it to both the present and future generations who deserve a better future. To enable us rise to the challenges of a such gigantic ambition, a clear and thoughtful assessment of our current environment is needed. The wrath of nature which seriously affected the livelihood of our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean in 2017 DQGUHFHQWO\WKH3DFLÀFUHPLQGVXVRI the necessity to place climate change and the inherent vulnerabilities of small island states high on the agenda of the Commonwealth. Such climatic phenomena are not only a menace to human life and security but are also increasingly threatening the very existence of small island states. While adaptation will help in moderating the effects of climate change, without adequate Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, mitigation measures little can Prime Minister, Republic of be achieved as the threat Mauritius will always loom over us.

94 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

We must, therefore, strive to address the issue of global climate change by concretely focusing on the reduction of emissions. And, this can only happen if the global community works together and keeps to its commitments. The Commonwealth has a responsibility to fast forward this message in the global arena. The setting up of the For small island states like Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub underscores the Mauritius, the need to accelerate intent and determination of the greater use of renewable energy is Commonwealth and Mauritius, as host of the Hub, to provide tangible becoming more and more pressing. VROXWLRQVWRWKHGLIÀFXOWLHVIDFHG by small states and least developed FRXQWULHVLQDFFHVVLQJFOLPDWHÀQDQFH We need to continue with such Moreover, cognisant of the Over the decades, the strategic engagements through sharing importance of developing our human Commonwealth has played a major of expertise and experience as well as resource in support of our strong role in promoting the rule of law, good seeking innovative solutions. belief that women and the youth will governance and human rights as well While we combine our efforts to be instrumental in shaping the shared as the shared values of peace, freedom, prevent global warming, initiatives future that we aspire for, Mauritius has democracy, equality, and respect for leading to the development and always allocated the required resources territorial integrity and sovereignty. dissemination of energy conservation for education, gender equality, and Enunciating these values is not enough. technologies, the development of women and youth empowerment. 0DXULWLXVÀUPO\VWDQGVIRUDVWURQJ innovative energy and environmental I am pleased to note that, so far, commitment to these values. technologies as well as preservation 0DXULWLXVKDVEHQHÀWWHGIURPDVVLVWDQFH As Heads of Government meet in of our forests should to be strongly from the Commonwealth and we London in April 2018, we have an supported. see potential of replicating models obligation to renew our determination For small island states like of success in other countries. As we towards the preservation of the global Mauritius, the need to accelerate celebrate our 50 years of independence, environment and the creation of a more greater use of renewable energy is we look forward to further enhancing prosperous world but also to stress to becoming more and more pressing collaboration with the organisation with future generations on our responsibility for the reinforcement of energy a view to unlocking the potential of an in developing a world that is fair and security, the protection of the innovation driven digital economy that safe as well. Increased commitment to environment and the reduction of would take us to the next level of socio- WKHÀJKWDJDLQVWUDGLFDOLVPH[WUHPLVP greenhouse gases. In this regard, economic development. cybercrime, drug related crimes and Mauritius is determined to facilitate With a vast exclusive economic KXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJPXVWEHSURPRWHG the implementation of renewable zone, Mauritius recognises the massive through the Commonwealth agenda. energy projects and has recently set potential of the ocean. We, therefore, These issues are very much up the Mauritius Renewable Energy support the related initiatives of the DWWKHIRUHWRGD\DQGUHÁHFWWKH Agency with the core objective of Commonwealth including the Blue growing awareness among the youth creating an enabling environment for Charter Initiative and call on the of their eventual impact on the the development of renewable energy. Secretariat to develop a comprehensive future we want. The youth of the We are further investing into a future programme aimed at mobilising Commonwealth and beyond is making that will improve the quality of life of international cooperation for the its voice heard on such matters and our citizens by combining innovative sustainable exploration and use of the rightly so. Their idealism must fuel ÀQDQFLDOWRROVDQGVWUDWHJLHV RFHDQUHVRXUFHVLQFOXGLQJÀVKHULHV greater inspiration in building a future that mirrors their aspirations. As leaders of the Commonwealth family determined to shoulder our Without adequate mitigation responsibilities, we must develop a strong consensus around all these measures little can be achieved as issues. We have all it takes to succeed, and we cannot afford to leave anyone the threat will always loom over us. behind!

95 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

ADVANCING THE CLIMATE ACTION AGENDA

Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji and President of COP23, appeals to Commonwealth leaders to step up collective efforts to meet challenging but vital climate targets.

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96 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

)LMLLVDOVRSURXGWREHDPRQJWKH PHPEHUVRIWKH3RZHULQJ3DVW&RDO $OOLDQFHWKDWZDVODXQFKHGE\%ULWDLQ &DQDGDDQGWKH0DUVKDOO,VODQGVDW &23DQGDLPVWRSKDVHRXWFRDO DVWKHVRXUFHRISHUFHQWRIWKH ZRUOG·VFDUERQHPLVVLRQVE\ &RPPRQZHDOWKFRXQWULHVDUHDWWKH IRUHIURQWRIWKHPRYHIURPGLUW\ HQHUJ\VXFKDVFRDOWRFOHDQUHQHZDEOH HQHUJ\VXFKDVK\GURVRODUDQGZLQG SRZHUMXVWDVWKH\DUHDWWKHIRUHIURQW RIWKHVWUXJJOHWRLPSURYHWKHKHDOWKRI RXURFHDQVDQGUHYHUVHWKHGHVWUXFWLRQ RIRXUFRUDOUHHIV,DPSOHDVHGWKDW One of the winning images from the VRPDQ\QDWLRQVLQFOXGLQJ)LMLKDYH COP23 Pacific Photo Competition, MRLQHGRQHRIWKHFHQWHUSLHFHVRIWKLV courtesy of Humans of Kiribati. &+2*0JDWKHULQJ²WKH%OXH&KDUWHU LQLWLDWLYHRISULQFLSOHVIRUVXVWDLQDEOH RFHDQGHYHORSPHQW 7KHWKHPHRI&+2*0 ,DPFRQYLQFHGDV3UHVLGHQWRI KDVVRDSWO\SXWLW´WRXVHRXUFRPPRQ ²¶7RZDUGVD&RPPRQ)XWXUH·² &23 &RQIHUHQFHRIWKH3DUWLHV² ZHDOWKIRURXUFRPPRQHDUWKµ XQGHUOLQHVWKHMRXUQH\ZHPXVW WKRVHWKDWKDYHVLJQHGXSWRWKH ,Q%RQQDW&23ZHFKDONHGXS DOOPDNHWRJHWKHUWRZDUGVDPRUH 8QLWHG1DWLRQV)UDPHZRUN DUDQJHRIDFKLHYHPHQWVXQGHU)LML·V VXVWDLQDEOHIXWXUHRIOLYLQJLQ &RQYHQWLRQRQ&OLPDWH&KDQJH  OHDGHUVKLSWKDWZHORRNWR3RODQG KDUPRQ\ZLWKRXUSODQHWDQGZRUNLQJ WKDWRQO\E\DFKLHYLQJWKHPRVW WRFRQVROLGDWHDQGH[SDQGZKHQLW WRJHWKHUWRUHSODFHWKHSUHVHQWFXOWXUH DPELWLRXVWDUJHWRIWKH3DULV DVVXPHVWKHSUHVLGHQF\RI&23LQ RIDEXVHZLWKDFXOWXUHRISUHVHUYDWLRQ $JUHHPHQWFDQZHDYHUWFDWDVWURSKH .DWRZLFHLQ'HFHPEHU DQGFDUH:HPXVWFRQWLQXDOO\ 7KLVLVWROLPLWWKHDYHUDJHJOREDO • :HDGYDQFHGWKH3DULV$JUHHPHQW DFFHQWXDWHWKHSRVLWLYHVWKDWZLOO WHPSHUDWXUHWRGHJUHHV&HOVLXV LPSOHPHQWDWLRQSURJUDPPHDQG ÁRZZKHQZHPDNHWKHFKDQJHIURP DERYHWKDWRIWKHSUHLQGXVWULDODJH WKRVHQHJRWLDWLRQVFRQWLQXH GLUW\WRFOHDQHFRQRPLHV$QGZH 7KHVFLHQWLÀFHYLGHQFHWHOOVXVWKHUH • :HHVWDEOLVKHGDSURFHVVFDOOHG PXVWVWHSXSRXULQYHVWPHQWLQWKH LVQRWLPHWRZDVWH:HPXVWUHGXFH WKH7DODQRD'LDORJXH²D3DFLÀF HPHUJLQJFOHDQWHFKQRORJLHVVXFK QHWHPLVVLRQVRIFDUERQGLR[LGHWR FRQFHSWRIFRQVHQVXVEXLOGLQJ DVEDWWHU\VWRUDJHWKDWFDQPHHWRXU ]HURDVVRRQDVSRVVLEOH$QGZH GHYRLGRIÀQJHUSRLQWLQJ²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• :HUHDFKHGKLVWRULFDJUHHPHQWV RILPSOHPHQWLQJWKH3DULV$JUHHPHQW )RUWXQDWHO\DJUHDWPDQ\$PHULFDQ RQDJULFXOWXUHJHQGHUDQGWKH DQGLQFUHDVLQJSURVSHULW\ VWDWHVFLWLHVDQGFRUSRUDWLRQVKDYH DFNQRZOHGJHPHQWRIWKHVSHFLDO 2QHRIWKHMR\VRIXVJDWKHULQJLQ FRPPLWWHGWKHPVHOYHVWKURXJK H[SHUWLVHRILQGLJHQRXVSHRSOH /RQGRQLVWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WRDJDLQ ¶$PHULFD·V3OHGJH·WRGHFLVLYH DQGORFDOFRPPXQLWLHVLQFOLPDWH KRQRXUWKHXQSDUDOOHOHGUHLJQRIWKH DFWLRQ,YHU\PXFKORRNIRUZDUGWR UHVLOLHQFHEXLOGLQJ +HDGRIWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK+HU SDUWLFLSDWLQJLQWKH*OREDO&OLPDWH • :HHVWDEOLVKHGDQ2FHDQ3DWKZD\ 0DMHVW\WKH4XHHQ$VZHFHOHEUDWH $FWLRQ6XPPLWWREHKHOGLQ WKDWUHFRJQLVHVWKHLQH[WULFDEOHOLQN KHUH[WUDRUGLQDU\VHUYLFHWRXVDOO &DOLIRUQLDWKLV6HSWHPEHU EHWZHHQFOLPDWHFKDQJHDQGWKH ZHDOVRFHOHEUDWHWKHVHYHQGHFDGHV :HPXVWDOODFWLQXQLVRQWR KHDOWKRIRXURFHDQV RIVHUYLFHRI+LV5R\DO+LJKQHVV SHUVXDGHDQ\ZDYHUHUVWRVWD\ • $QG)LML·VFRQFHSWRID*UDQG WKH'XNHRI(GLQEXUJKWRWKH WKHFRXUVH,DSSHDOWRP\IHOORZ &RDOLWLRQIRUGHFLVLYHFOLPDWH SUHVHUYDWLRQDQGFDUHRIRXUSODQHW,Q &RPPRQZHDOWKOHDGHUVWRXVHWKHLU DFWLRQEURXJKWWRJHWKHUIRUWKH DGGLWLRQZHFHOHEUDWHWKHOHDGHUVKLS FRQVLGHUDEOHLQÁXHQFHWRDWWDLQWKH ÀUVWWLPHJRYHUQPHQWVDWHYHU\ WKDWLVEHLQJVKRZQLQWKHFOLPDWH PD[LPXPDPELWLRQWKHZRUOGVR OHYHOFLYLOVRFLHW\WKHSULYDWHVHFWRU DFWLRQVWUXJJOHE\+LV5R\DO+LJKQHVV GHVSHUDWHO\QHHGV$VRXU6HFUHWDU\ DQGRUGLQDU\PHQDQGZRPHQWR WKH3ULQFHRI:DOHV7KHLUGHGLFDWLRQ *HQHUDO%DURQHVV3DWULFLD6FRWODQG DFFHOHUDWHWKHSURFHVV LVDQLQVSLUDWLRQWRXVDOO

97 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

BUILDING RESILIENCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES

Freundel Jerome Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados, highlights the pressing issues facing Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and shares examples of best practice from Barbados to encourage fellow SIDS to minimise their vulnerabilities and build resilience.

arbados, like all Caribbean Commonwealth member Bstates, is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS); fragile and vulnerable, both economically and environmentally. The building of resilience, is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity, and an integral part of our survival. Although the country lacks an abundance of natural resources, it has had a number of social, political and economic successes over the past 51 years as an independent nation, attributed to good governance, political stability and the resilience and industrious nature of our people. However, despite these successes, the country’s vulnerability remains a threat. Over the past 20 years, Barbados has been at the forefront of championing the concerns and needs of SIDS in the Caribbean. Cognisant of the negative impact that climate change can have on these countries’ survivability, we support ‘SIDS Collectivity’ Freundel Jerome Stuart, as a strategy Prime Minister, Barbados

98 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

for confronting the economic and environmental challenges faced by these vulnerable nations. We believe that a sustained effort in building SIDS’ inter-and intra-regional cooperation is the answer, and call on The Commonwealth to join in making this effort a reality. The devastation of many Caribbean countries during the recent hurricane season is a grim reminder of the region’s weaknesses, and the damage these systems bring to its fragile economies. It is vital that we all redouble our endeavours to enable Caribbean countries and Commonwealth Small States in general, to build resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change. The protracted economic malaise and low growth seen in several Commonwealth member states The devastation of many continue to challenge investment in critical social infrastructure, in areas Caribbean countries during such as health and education. Together, these issues impact our pursuit of the recent hurricane season is Agenda 2030 and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. a grim reminder of the region’s Barbados welcomes the theme of this year’s CHOGM, Towards a Common weaknesses. Future, as it brings into focus the need for shared visioning and deepened collaboration. We wish to take this The lingering economic turbulence has HGXFDWLRQDQGFOLPDWHÀQDQFHVKRXOG opportunity to formally share home- given rise to the creation of innovative be lauded in this regard. The model grown examples of best practice economic models, and Barbados is presents an opportunity to consider in areas that address key structural working assiduously to become the a new ‘Commonwealth Small States vulnerabilities among Commonwealth most environmentally friendly country Macroeconomic Policy and Resilience states, including: in the Latin America and Caribbean Building Hub and Spokes Support • The application of integrated region, through a commitment to initiative’. climate-resilient coastal EXLOGLQJDUHVRXUFHHIÀFLHQWJUHHQ The continued interaction between infrastructure protection systems economy. We are establishing a SIDS the Commonwealth Secretariat and the for small states. Green Economy Knowledge Transfer G20 to highlight the vulnerabilities and • Integrated rural/urban development Hub, with the support of the United QHHGVRIGHYHORSLQJVWDWHVDOVRUHÁHFWV planning. Nations, to facilitate south-south the Commonwealth’s commitment to • Land conservation and protection, cooperation and capacity building inclusiveness in global decision-making which has ensured that our efforts of like-minded small states. bodies. Similarly, the Commonwealth National Park and System of This endeavour is well aligned with should also establish an ongoing Open Spaces remain viable and the Commonwealth’s drive towards dialogue with the OECD on the can provide our citizens with an building sustainable ocean-based, or issues faced by countries designated as acceptable quality of life. ‘blue’, economies. RIIVKRUHÀQDQFLDOFHQWUHV • Demonstrated leadership in solar $VZHUHÁHFWIXUWKHURQWKH Let me take this opportunity on thermal technology development theme for 2018, Towards a Common behalf of my government and the and deployment in Barbados and Future, we are mindful that the people of Barbados, to wish the the Caribbean. Commonwealth is well placed to Commonwealth a successful Heads • The recent development of a continue to play a key role in promoting of Government Meeting. I eagerly FRPSUHKHQVLYHSROLF\ÀVFDODQG partnerships and building capacity look forward to robust discussion, the ÀQDQFLDOIUDPHZRUNWRVXSSRUWWKH within small states to mitigate risks and formulation of strategic initiatives and attainment of our 2030 renewable other structural vulnerabilities. The concrete outcomes towards building energy targets. ‘Hub and Spokes’ approach to trade, our common future.

99 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

EXPANDING ENERGY ACCESS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

Martin Hiller, Director General of REEEP (Renewable Energy and Energy Effi ciency Partnership) promotes the use of off-grid energy solutions to provide cost-effective and sustainable energy access in low- and middle- income countries of the Commonwealth.

nergy access is one of the main Asian countries, a rapidly expanding preconditions for prosperity and sector of so-called off-grid companies Eeconomic growth. According to provides solar home systems. These can World Bank data, 635 million people in be very small – two LED lamps and a the Commonwealth currently do not phone charging point – but some can have access to modern energy. So how power radios, TVs and refrigerators. can we ensure that every citizen of the In many African countries, the Commonwealth has access to modern developments are moving especially energy by 2030? fast thanks to new, leapfrogging ICT The classical solution put forward technologies such as mobile payment by large-scale electric utilities is to solutions. These allow people to pay for build more power stations and extend their power as they go, and only when power lines. Yet in many countries, they need it. Martin Hiller, the grid has grown as large as it can The next step up from small Director General, REEEP cost-effectively grow. Grid expansion individual systems is a so-called projects certainly make sense in areas mini-grid, consisting of a generation with high population density and much facility (powered by solar or otherwise) energy-intensive industrial activity, such and a distribution network typically as cities. But the lower the population covering one village. Due to their density, the longer the power lines large number, households form the and the higher the investment per main client base, but an ideal mini-grid new customer. Extending the grid to setup also includes shops, which have remote rural areas is therefore costly more predictable demand and better both in terms of initial investment and FDVKÁRZDQGKHQFHDUHPRUHUHOLDEOH maintenance costs. clients, at least in theory. Thankfully, there is another A recent REEEP report, produced way. Solar photovoltaics is rapidly with the support of the Rockefeller becoming the most prevalent Foundation, used the Indian states of technology powering off-grid electricity Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as case studies installations (though other technologies to show that clean energy mini-grids can are also used). In many African and provide energy access cost-effectively

100 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

A school in Mugurameno village, Renewable energy Zambia, receives electricity from technology can enhance a solar microgrid. resilience as well as further climate change mitigation. Credit: Standard Microgrid

and sustainably in areas out of reach and prevent people from escaping the a supply of fuel. This example, along for the central grid. They are deployed scenario UNCTAD has called the with many others like it from around much more quickly and cheaply than ¶HQHUJ\SRYHUW\WUDS· the world, demonstrates that renewable grid extension projects, and in the right REEEP currently manages the energy technology can enhance FRQÀJXUDWLRQWKH\FDQSURYLGHDUHOLDEOH Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia resilience as well as further climate source of energy not just for households %*)= ZKLFKLVJHQHURXVO\ÀQDQFHG change mitigation. but also for productive use. by the Government of Sweden. It aims In order to provide long-term market In order for any market to thrive, to provide off-grid clean energy access security to off-grid businesses and allow consumer trust as well as business and to one million Zambians by 2021, by the sector to thrive, governments and LQYHVWRUFRQÀGHQFHDUHRISDUDPRXQW building up a self-sustaining market for central utilities need to do three things. importance. Consumers need to trust off-grid solutions. BGFZ tackles the First, provide clarity on when and where that the technology they purchase will product quality issue in two distinct grid extension projects are planned, so do its job, and businesses and their ways. Firstly, all products supported that developers can prepare and adjust LQYHVWRUVQHHGWREHFRQÀGHQWWKDWWKHLU through the fund undergo detailed their business models to the arrival of business models will not be undermined. technical reviews. Secondly, BGFZ- the grid. Second, ensure grid electricity How can we guarantee this? supported companies must offer a is sold at market rate and not capped at For most consumers in low- and three-year warranty on their products a lower price, so that off-grid electricity middle-income countries, purchasing DVZHOODVDÀUVWUDWHDIWHUVDOHVVHUYLFH FDQFRPSHWH$QGÀQDOO\JXDUDQWHH off-grid technology requires a major This quality assurance is crucial for the feed-in tariffs so that larger installations LQYHVWPHQWRIWHQPDGHPRUHGLIÀFXOW viability of the market for renewable such as mini-grids can also continue E\WKHDEVHQFHRIFRQYHQLHQWÀQDQFLQJ energy products in Zambia. to operate after the grid arrives, and products. When the technology is Though mini-grids and smaller provide backup to the grid itself. of poor quality or the provider does solar installations have thus far been Off-grid renewable energy solutions not offer adequate aftersales service, deployed mainly beyond the grid, a are already affordable and powerful customers risk a major setback, and growing market for these products also enough to make a real difference in in their wider communities trust in exists in grid-connected areas. They are SHRSOH·VOLYHVDQGWRFRPSOHPHQW the entire sector is quickly eroded. widely used as backup where the main and even strengthen the central grid. Gaining consumer trust is a challenge grid is unreliable and in areas prone As I have shown, the sector can for any start-up, but in this sector to natural disasters. In the Caribbean, stand on its own two feet – and with especially, consumers are right to be off-grid energy installations withstood government backing, it can help bring wary. A survey in 2016 by ESI Africa the hurricanes in 2017 remarkably well; the Sustainable Development Goals of solar panels for sale in Malawi - the whereas four months after Hurricane within reach. Commonwealth country with the Maria, a third of Puerto Ricans were 5(((3KDV\HDUV·H[SHULHQFHRI lowest rate of energy access - found still waiting for their grid connections to working with clean energy businesses WKDWPDUNHWVZHUH¶ÁRRGHG·ZLWKVRODU be restored (solar installations suffered in low- and middle-income countries. SDQHOVRI¶H[WUDRUGLQDULO\SRRUTXDOLW\· only minor damage). What is more, For more information about our work including many containing fake cells. unlike diesel generators, they cause no in Zambia and elsewhere, see The resulting erosion in consumer trust pollution, nor are they dependent on www.reeep.org or contact us at LVOLNHO\WRVORZGRZQHOHFWULÀFDWLRQ clear roads and functioning ports for [email protected].

101 CALM IN THE EYE OF THE STORM AFFORDABLE ENERGY BECOMES A REALITY

Gazing out at the blue waves of the Indian Ocean, as they come gently gliding over the coral reef towards the shoreline of warm, soft, white sand along the virgin shores of Gazi beach, on Kenya’s South Coast, one’s view of the endless expanse of water is interrupted very rarely as the hazy image of a distant container ship comes into view, steaming slowly towards the port of Mombasa in the north.

The eastern seaboard of Africa is protected by a large, rich coral reef and rarely experiences the turmoil caused globally by typhoons and other types of storms. It is more accustomed to the gentle trade winds, which shift at different times of the year, allowing traditional dhows to carry out their centuries- old migration between Africa and the Middle East in search of business and opportunity.

Slightly further south, at the port of Shimoni, local fishermen compete with the Dhows for space at one of Kenya’s oldest natural ports. Originally one of the oldest slave ports on the African continent, where slaves would be held in caves stretching back as far as eight or nine miles, that British colonialism began in Shimoni with the arrival of the British Imperial East Africa Company’s headquarters in the 1880s. The BIEAC choose Shimoni because it was virtually uninhabited at the time. Many buildings in modern day Shimoni were built by the very first British colonists of Kenya, including the now ruins of Kenya’s first colonial prison.

It is at these sites, and at others nearby, that a Kenyan private company - Shelter Solutions Limited - has decided to take a stand with by far the most ambitious integrated project ever seen on the African continent. What is more surprising is that this initiative is being led by the private sector. The Shimoni Integrated Development Project (SIDEP), a $90bn enterprise over a 25 year time frame, intends to bring development to the entire southern region of Kenya through massive scale components, spanning from purely organic agriculture to the irrigation of an entire County area using up to five MCM of desalinated water, reversing the greenhouse effect and desertification in the area. Residents, who have for too long suffered during the dry season, will now have the opportunity to access free water as a direct benefit of the Project. The economic engine driving the activity is modern, eco-friendly desalination that has, as a byproduct, the capacity to generate 10,000MW of much needed electrical energy, which will be used to power the green-themed industrial park, airport and port, as the dream becomes a reality.

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Kenya, which sits on some of the world’s largest The secret to accomplishing all of this is, of course, unexploited stores of natural resources, finally has a the generation of affordable electrical energy. The solution to supplying the world’s needy markets with use of breakthrough technology from the USA processed steel, industrial items, manufactured goods will enable the project to generate up to 10GW of and healthy agricultural products, without destroying clean, stable electricity as captive power. For this, the environment. Due to the scale of the project, the project will be working closely with the Kenyan Shelter Solutions has been able to outline an ‘All Ministry of Energy. Current power costs in Kenya Green’ approach and by use of technology, including range from 12¢ to 15¢ per kWh. The project intends Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things applications to supply the entire area with clean, stable power at and machine learning, will be able to constantly a rate of 4¢ to 5¢ per kWh, thus immediately easing measure minute items, such as the turbidity of the the burden of production costs, whilst lowering all water in and around the port and industrial park. And costs across a broad spectrum of interdependent it’s not limited to that. The Kenyan continental shelf commercial activities. It is clear what comes next – a stretches 350 nautical miles offshore and is rich in massive export opportunity presents itself and the species of fish which have previously been exploited SIDEP team, and its eco-system partners, are geared by large foreign vessels. These have often trawled towards engaging in this. with the wrong nets, affecting the fish population and providing little or no benefit to Kenya. The value SIDEP is not alone in its energy driven and rapid of the fishing industry annually is calculated at over deployment development model, and realizes that $2bn annually. Under SIDEP, Kenya will now benefit it needs to call upon a greater pool of experience from three large and modern fish processing plants, and knowledge. To this end, it has harnessed the each employing nearly 5,000 staff, which will attract services of The Stevenson Group, a Washington- the nearby fishing fleets to dock and release their based consulting firm, as project managers and catch. Local fishermen will be issued with steel hulled advisers, to enable a broader frame of global boats, enabling them to venture further out into sea. management to be layered and interlaced into the Trawlers are also to be donated to the local fishing Project’s activities. cooperative. This is just one of the ways that the socio-economic impact of the SIDEP project will be It seems that the rest of the world has taken note positively affecting lives in the long run. of the developments in this sleepy corner of the African seaboard and engineering, procurement, and The directors of Shelter Solutions comprise engineers, construction contractors from China, South Africa, business architects and experts across several South Korea, Netherlands, the US and the Middle fields, who came together over six years ago and East have expressed interest and, in many cases, who, after many months of research and working signed up for contracts to execute a number of the with the community on the ground, began to chart 14 components that make up the SIDEP project. the backbone of what is now truly a landmark project and which will positively impact on the lives SHELTER SOLUTIONS - of hundreds of thousands of residents within the PROJECT OUTLINE southern coastal region. The community has not Kenya has a unique opportunity to stand as a leader been left behind in the process and Shelter Solutions in our global community for sustainable economy- have granted a 10 per cent stake in the project to be building solutions. Ordinary economic activity in held in trust for the indigenous residents of Kwale, terms of the energy sector, agribusiness, farming which is at the epicentre of the project. Research or oil refining in are not currently fully developed in and development, spanning the next 25 years, is also Kenya. Because supply is largely in deficit, Shelter planned for three different major institutions being Solutions and its international partners intend to established. Residents will have the opportunity invest heavily in Kenya and in Africa more widely. to own homes over that period, as eight different satellite cities emerge with the growth of the Project’s Shelter Solutions’ main focus is in setting up components. Around 4,000km of new highway will integrated projects, like SIDEP and the similar replace the existing rocky dirt roads and will be built Bungoma Integrated Development Project with the using eco-friendly bitumen emulsion and polymer. aim of achieving the following: These will also act as conduits for power, water • The creation of job opportunities and communications. In the long term, an extensive • Access to cheap power (under 5¢ per kWh) and electric standard gauge train network will provide an water (less than 20¢/m³) additional transport layer to the intensive development • Exploiting natural resources to create wealth and of the area. new industries SIDEP Proposal SIDEP Proposal

• Infrastructure improvements for easier access to TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS goods and services Shelter Solutions and its partners and contractors • To increase Kenya’s power generation capacity, intend to use breakthrough technologies in all the from the current 2,750MW to more than sectors to be developed. The projects are earmarked 10,000MW over the next ten years as ‘Green Projects’ and all components shall • Improved food security, with an increase in farm incorporate waste management systems. land acreage due to power and water harnessing OVERALL BENEFITS technologies, such as desalination and waste • Revenue from power and water sales water management • Green energy carbon credits to the Counties and • The introduction of a new ultra large scale Kenya funding model, tailored to meet Africa’s current • Excess water can be sold to other Counties and future growth needs experiencing drought conditions for agricultural • To convert Kenya into a net exporter and industrial use; • To improve the mental health care system in • Capability of County governments to run tram or building of more level fi ve hospitals rail systems because of ample and stable power • The use of modern, breakthrough technologies and water supplies through international partners. • Suffi cient water and power within the industrial parks for their industries FOCUS ACTIVITIES OF • Coastal Counties need no longer import oxygen SHELTER SOLUTIONS’ PROJECTS gas for medical and industrial use, providing 1. Produce captive power and water using sea water huge savings. (Oxygen is a by-product of the desalination generation, including the network desalination process) distribution infrastructure carrying 10,200MW of • Plentiful fertilisers, reducing import levels power and fi ve MCM of water daily. • Compared to traditional desalination processes, 2. Natural gas power generation using combined the cost of power and water produced is lower heat technologies, a including distribution • The output of both power and water generation Infrastructure for over 5,000MW of power. are higher than other energy production systems, 3. Solar factories and LED lighting on roads. such as hydro, geothermal, solar or wind 4. Heavy duty road infrastructure - concrete/ • Water quality and environmental discharge to the polymer roads with eco-friendly bitumen - ocean exceeds World Health Organization drinking embedded with ducts for power, water and water standards, with a low level brine discharge communications. • Discharge diffusers designed to optimise jet 5. Passenger and cargo airports are proposed in all velocity, leading to improved near-fi eld mixing and projects. dilution, resulting in a lower environmental impact; 6. Hubs for ICT and other related industries. • Direct injection of capital into Kenya 7. Construction of new port facilities and export • Creation of direct and indirect employment equipment proposed. opportunities for the local citizens, with priority 8. Fishing ports, storage facilities and processing given to youth, women and disadvantaged people plants. • The technology to spur industrial growth and 9. Industrial parks development, creation of manufacturing due to greater power and water factories and raw material supplies. capacity – in turn leading to the creation of new 10. Railway lines to all Shelter Solutions cities components, including to mining sites and inter- • Increased agricultural output expected because of County connections. more of water for irrigation, alongside greater power 11. Oil and gas refi neries, pipelines and storage for value adding processing plants for their products tanks for 5 million tonnes of Petrol/LPG. • The infrastructure development associated to the 12. Development of agriculture, farming, fi shing and Project, including water storage facilities, power food processing industries. lines and roads. 13. Water supply pipelines and irrigation systems. 14. Satellite cities, affordable housing schemes, hospitals, colleges, malls, stadia and hotels. 15. Waste management for sewerage, solid waste, Amkay Plaza, 4th Floor, water and biomass production. Mkomani, Mombasa, Kenya 16. Mining of coal, iron ore, manganese, gypsum, T: +254 724 341 808 limestone, bauxite ore, copper ore, nickel ore, E: sheltersolutions.ws@gmail titanium, niobium, calcium and silica. W: www.shelter-solutions.co.ke Eng. Saleh Wechuli Mung'ang'a, MD, Shelter Solutions Limited A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

BETTER LIVES AT OUR FINGERTIPS: ICT AND THE SDGs

Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), examines the enormous potential of information and communication technologies to fast-forward progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

n this digital era, new To achieve the SDGs, we will need to WHFKQRORJLHVVXFKDVDUWLÀFLDO bring the power of ICTs to all nations, Iintelligence, the Internet of all people and all segments of society. Things, blockchain, 5G, and cloud In particular we need to focus on the computing promise to improve the following 4 Is: lives of people across the world. At • Infrastructure: In the 21st century, the International Telecommunication broadband networks are critical Union (ITU), the UN specialised infrastructure. They are as agency for information and important as roads, railways, water communication technologies (ICTs), and power networks. I am pleased we are at the forefront of this to report that by the end of 2017, digital revolution, harnessing the the number of mobile-cellular power of ICTs to help accelerate the subscriptions in the least developed Houlin Zhao, achievement of the 2030 Sustainable countries had increased to about Secretary-General, International Development Agenda and each one 700 million, with a penetration of Telecommunication Union of the 17 Sustainable Development 70 per cent. The next generation Goals (SDGs). of ICT infrastructure will power But, this progress won’t happen a range of digital solutions, from automatically. In fact, if the wave smart cities and climate monitoring, of technological change is not WRSXEOLFDQGÀQDQFLDOVHUYLFHV managed properly, it might deepen And no one should be left behind. the divide between the ‘haves’ and • Investment: Partnerships are at the the ‘have nots’. heart of the 2030 Agenda. To Today, 3.9 billion people are still create a better environment for not connected to the Internet, many investment, particularly in hard-to- of them in Commonwealth countries. reach areas with no Internet access, we need to develop innovative ÀQDQFLQJPHFKDQLVPVDQGFUHDWLYH public-private partnerships that To achieve the SDGs, we will cut across industries and sectors. We also need to help policymakers need to bring the power of ICTs strengthen their digital development strategies and adopt to all nations, all people and all an enabling environment. A recent survey by ITU and the United segments of society. Nations Conference on Trade

106 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

and Development (UNCTAD) found that less than 25 per cent of Digital financial inclusion can national strategies include details on investment requirements for act as a multiplier for poverty infrastructure. • Innovation: In emerging markets, eradication, job creation, ICTs are helping farmers to monitor prices, health workers respond to gender equality and women’s emergencies, and borrowers to connect with potential lenders. empowerment. At the forefront of both industry disruption and economic growth - in developed and developing ÀQDQFLDOLQFOXVLRQDQGZH to develop global standards on markets alike - entrepreneurs and welcome the participation of the communication technologies and tech micro, small and medium Commonwealth. Digital inclusion services, manage spectrum and enterprises (MSMEs) are critical also requires the development of satellite orbits, and assist developing in this new ecosystem. Every year, locally relevant content, and user countries in infrastructure and policy at ITU Telecom World, we focus interfaces that feature text-to- development on ICTs. on supporting the success of these speech and voice-recognition The Fourth Industrial Revolution innovators, who drive socio- capabilities to enhance accessibility aptly demonstrates that ‘information economic growth and job creation IRUSHRSOHZLWKVSHFLÀFQHHGV is power’. Digital technologies can throughout the world. including indigenous peoples and lift people out of poverty, improve • Inclusivity: The digital divide takes those with disabilities. Ensuring public services and food security, many forms, and one example is equal access to the information mitigate the effects of climate access to the digital economies. society is as much a moral change, make cities safer and more More than two billion adults still imperative as it is an economic sustainable, and the world greener. don’t have a formal bank account, imperative. I hope that all governments now but 1.6 billion of these do have acknowledge the power of digital access to a mobile phone. Digital I am pleased to say that all solutions to create better lives for ÀQDQFLDOLQFOXVLRQFDQDFWDVD Commonwealth countries are their citizens, and I look forward multiplier for poverty eradication, members of ITU, and so ITU can to working together with the job creation, gender equality assist the Commonwealth in this Commonwealth to transition the and women’s empowerment. effort. With our 193 Member States 2030 Sustainable Development ITU has teamed up with several and over 800 private sector and Agenda from vision to action, and partners to launch a new global academia members, ITU rallies transform the digital revolution into programme to accelerate digital stakeholders from around the world a development revolution!

107 A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE BAHAMAS

Dr Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, applauds the Commonwealth’s efforts to create a sustainable future for all, and highlights his government’s commitment to providing a bright economic, social and environmental future for The Bahamas.

Dr Hubert A Minnis, he Commonwealth of Nations Prime Minister, comprises a diverse group of Commonwealth of Tmember states, with distinct The Bahamas cultures, economies, geographical FRQÀJXUDWLRQVKLVWRULFDOEDFNJURXQGV and educational and political systems. Although we possess unique characteristics and face different threats, we are united in our efforts to secure a sustainable future for all. The promotion and achievement of a sustainable future requires an HYHQJUHDWHUXQLÀFDWLRQDPRQJ member states, through the sharing of information and best practices to build more resilient communities that are capable of mitigating, inter alia, the impacts of economic, social and environmental crises. Also essential for a sustainable future is the commitment by governments to facilitate good governance through the honest and transparent management of public resources. Good governance limits abuse by public RIÀFLDOVZKRVHHNWRXVHQDWLRQDO resources for personal gain. Similarly, it maximises the ability of the government to allocate funding for requisite public services, such as healthcare, education and public infrastructure. In addition to transparency and accountability, it focuses on public sector co-ordination and effectiveness, which provide

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VLJQLÀFDQWYDOXHWRFLWL]HQVLQYHVWRUV and visitors, and enhance the standing of a member state’s reputation in the international arena. In the case of The Bahamas, a vital step in securing a sustainable future is the promotion of economic GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ7KHJRYHUQPHQWDLPV to expand the economy by allocating capital resources to small- and PHGLXPVL]HGHQWHUSULVHVHQFRXUDJLQJ new enterprises under the Commercial Enterprises Act, developing greater OLQNVEHWZHHQWKHGRPLQDQWVHFWRUV of our economy, and aggressively H[SDQGLQJVNLOOVWUDLQLQJDQG development programmes. Additionally, The Bahamian Concrete measures must be government is engaged in a number of initiatives to reform and streamline implemented to assist our youth in processes, thereby enhancing the ease- of-doing-business climate, creating realising their full potential. employment opportunities, stimulating the economy and reducing the cost of doing business. Increasing emphasis to the impacts of climate change, dependence on foreign imports, so is also being placed on public-private particularly natural disasters and coastal helping to reduce food prices in the sector partnerships, as a vital part erosion due to rising sea-levels. future. To do this, the Government has of our national strategy to deliver In this regard, the government established The Bahamas Agriculture services to our people and achieve our of The Bahamas fully supports the and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), development objectives. position of the Commonwealth in ZKLFKFXUUHQWO\JHQHUDWHVDURXQGÀYH The government further believes recognising the plight of Small Island per cent of produce grown in-country. that building a sustainable future States and providing them with a voice, BAMSI intends to create opportunities for all requires a commitment to by pledging to increase its compliance IRUDOO%DKDPLDQFLWL]HQVE\VWLPXODWLQJ LPSURYHKHDOWKFDUHIRULWVFLWL]HQV to the Paris Climate Change the interest of the people in investing in The Bahamas is committed to Agreement. This commitment led The agricultural and marine science. reducing premature mortality from Bahamas to establish the Bahamas A most valuable asset for non-communicable diseases and Environment, Science and Technology achieving a sustainable future is chronic diseases by one-third, by (BEST) Commission several decades the Commonwealth’s 1.2 billion 2030, through preventive measures ago, to serve as the national focal young people. Governments must and successful treatment; by providing point for multilateral environmental see real youth empowerment as an easy, modern and affordable access DJUHHPHQWVWDVNHGZLWKUHVSRQVLELOLW\ indispensable asset to development. to all forms of universal healthcare, for the protection and management of Concrete measures must be ensuring the implementation and the environment. implemented in a consistent and sustainability of funding to the The Bahamas is dedicated to ongoing way to assist our youth in National Health Insurance programme; researching and implementing realising their full potential. To this upgrading public hospitals with new measures that will mitigate the impacts end, Commonwealth programmes that and improved modernised rooms to of climate change, particularly the promote and support youth activities provide appropriate medical attention; promotion and greater utilisation of deserve our full support. expanding and optimising the green technologies, and implementing The Government of The Bahamas HIÀFLHQF\RIPLQLKRVSLWDOVORFDWHG legislation that focuses on the supports the ongoing commitment in the Family Islands; and improving maintenance of wildlife conservation, of the Commonwealth to increasing ZRUNLQJHQYLURQPHQWFRQGLWLRQV expansion and development of national WKHUHVROYHRILWVPHPEHUVWRZRUN The Commonwealth has been a SDUNVZHWODQGVPDQJURYHVEHDFKHV towards a sustainable future that strong advocate for global reform green spaces and protected areas. requires the strategic integration of on climate change since the signing In accordance with the dedication economic, social, and environmental RIWKH/DQJNDZL'HFODUDWLRQRQWKH of the Commonwealth to ensuring considerations in the national and Environment in 1989, and is primarily global food security, The Bahamas has FROOHFWLYHGHFLVLRQPDNLQJSURFHVVHV PDGHXSRI6PDOO,VODQG6WDWHVOLNH7KH focused its attention on strategies to The Commonwealth leadership is Bahamas, which are most vulnerable SURPRWHVHOIVXIÀFLHQF\DQGGHFUHDVH indispensable to our success.

109 A FAIRER FUTURE

FORGING A FAIRER FUTURE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

Edgar Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, looks at the Commonwealth’s past, present and future as a catalyst for creating a fairer future for all of its citizens.

e, as a Commonwealth truly proud moment given the of Zimbabwe. Since then, the of Nations, have seen impressionable youths we were Commonwealth has registered many Wnumerous changes at the time. Many of us are aging successes, but equally, we have throughout the years, as the now, but we continue to cherish the together weathered the storm through organisation has continued to VLJQLÀFDQFHRIWKLVRUJDQLVDWLRQ PDQ\GLIÀFXOWFKDOOHQJHV HYROYHDWDVWHDG\SDFHVLQFHWKHÀUVW We have now progressed beyond In recent times, the organisation Summit, hosted by Singapore in the main original objective of the KDVQRWRQO\PDLQWDLQHGLWVLQÁXHQFH 1971. I recall the 1979 Summit, when organisation, which was the political but is increasingly projecting the Zambia hosted the Commonwealth liberation of African countries: aspirations of its 2.4 billion people. We Heads of Government Meeting the Lusaka CHOGM was focused GHÀQHGRXUVKDUHGYDOXHVWKURXJKWKH (CHOGM) in Lusaka. It was a on the impending independence Commonwealth Charter, as adopted

With so much change around us, we need an organisation in which we can place our confi dence.

Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President, Republic of Zambia

110 A FAIRER FUTURE

at the 2013 Summit in Colombo, President Lunga meets with Commonwealth Sri Lanka. In 2015 at the Valletta Secretary-General Patricia Scotland during her Summit, the Rt. Hon. Baroness visit to Zambia in August 2017. Patricia Scotland was elected as the ÀUVWIHPDOH6HFUHWDU\*HQHUDORIWKH Commonwealth. The Commonwealth is indeed getting closer to its people and its roots. The theme of CHOGM 2018 – Towards a Common Future – could not be more appropriate. It calls for, inter alia, better allocation and distribution of resources to ensure a fairer, more prosperous, sustainable and secure environment for all Commonwealth citizens, and the rest of the global community. With so much change around us, we need an organisation in which we FDQSODFHRXUFRQÀGHQFH$OOPHPEHU states – including their youth, women, business and civil society can unite under one umbrella – to speak on development, peace, human rights, trade and other important matters affecting our people across the Commonwealth. We desire good health, peace and prosperity and the freedom to make our own choices in life without undue LQÁXHQFH7RH[FKDQJHQHZLGHDVDQG achieve progress on these issues, we The Commonwealth has look forward to meeting in London, a city that is synonymous with the been key in articulating global Commonwealth – and the two have FRQWLQXHGWRLQÁXHQFHHDFKRWKHU,W governance issues and I am is this atmosphere that we hope will inspire us further. hopeful that its infl uence will The Commonwealth has been key in articulating global governance issues continue to have great impact on DQG,DPKRSHIXOWKDWLWVLQÁXHQFH will continue to have great impact member states and beyond. on member states and beyond. I am FRQÀGHQWWKDWRXUDVSLUDWLRQVIRUDQ RUJDQLVDWLRQWKDWLVÀUPO\IRFXVHGRQ this agenda to the United Nations, ZLOOÀQDOO\FRPHWRWHUPVZLWKWKH a better future for all, will be realised. UHVXOWLQJLQWKHÀUVWUHVROXWLRQRQWKH negative consequences of neglecting As a member of the subject in 2013, and again, Zambia our environment, and that will rise to Commonwealth, I am particularly ZDVDSURXGFRVSRQVRURIWKH the occasion to reverse the trend. SURXGWKDWDWRXUODVW6XPPLWWKHÀUVW resolution. For all the above to happen, we Women’s Forum was held alongside 7KHÀJKWDJDLQVWFKLOGHDUO\DQG must ensure that peace prevails, be the others, notably the Youth, forced marriages can only be won if it at a personal or societal level. For Business and Civil Society Forums. our youth take up leadership roles meaningful development to occur, no In the past year, I was honoured to ensure that gender discrimination one should be left behind. to be chosen by fellow heads of is truly relegated to the annals. I see ,DPH[FLWHGDQGORRNLQJIRUZDUG state to serve as the African Union a vibrant generation in our youth, to participating in the deliberations, (AU) champion on ending child, which will take up the challenge to which I believe will spur the early and forced marriages, and its spearhead economic growth through Commonwealth’s true strengths and UHODWHGFKDOOHQJHVLQÀJKWLQJJHQGHU their inherent drive and sense of potential to reach greater heights, and inequality. The Commonwealth took innovation. I see a generation that for humanity in general.

111 A FAIRER FUTURE

ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Offi ce on Drugs and Crime, explains why anti-corruption action is a keystone to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and urges Commonwealth Heads of Government to progress efforts to prevent and combat corruption.

fair, prosperous, secure, Reducing corruption and bribery, sustainable future. DVZHOODVWDFNOLQJLOOLFLWÀQDQFLDO A This worthy aim of the ÁRZVDQGUHFRYHULQJVWROHQDVVHWV 2018 Commonwealth Heads of DUHVSHFLÀFWDUJHWVXQGHU6'* Government Meeting shares much in on promoting just, peaceful and common with the 2030 Agenda and inclusive societies. But we must also its 17 Sustainable Development Goals recognise how corruption contributes (SDGs), adopted by world leaders at to so many of the other problems the 2015 United Nations summit. that threaten our common future, Tackling climate change and and how combatting corruption and increasing resilience; promoting promoting accountability can advance the rule of law and human rights; progress towards all of the SDGs. countering threats of terrorism, Corruption steals resources from Yury Fedotov, organised crime, cyber crime and those who need it most. Instead Executive Director, United Nations KXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJIRVWHULQJHFRQRPLF of hospitals, schools and roads Offi ce on Drugs and Crime growth: as the Commonwealth built, pockets are lined and nests recognises, these challenges are feathered. Corruption rigs the game, interrelated, and addressing all these HQWLFHVUHVSRQVLEOHRIÀFLDOVWRWXUQ areas is necessary to foster sustainable a blind eye and breeds cynicism development. I would also argue that in citizenry. Aided and abetted by in order to make progress towards corruption, natural resources are these goals, the Commonwealth – VTXDQGHUHGSRDFKHGDQGWUDIÀFNHG and the whole of the international ,OOLFLWGUXJVÀUHDUPVDQGRWKHU community – need to do much more to contraband are driven past borders SUHYHQWDQGÀJKWFRUUXSWLRQ and unloaded at ports unchecked. Corruption facilitates migrant VPXJJOLQJKXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJDQG other crimes and threats to health, Corruption steals resources wellbeing and safety. The African Development Bank from those who need it most. estimates that Africa loses the

112 A FAIRER FUTURE

VDPHDPRXQWLWUHFHLYHVLQRIÀFLDO development assistance every year. I urge you to ensure that According to the African Union’s 0EHNLUHSRUWLOOLFLWÀQDQFLDOÁRZV anti-corruption is an essential are siphoning away as much as US$50 billion annually. part of your plan of action to As we have seen the world over, systemic corruption represents a create a better future for all threat not only to development but to peace and security – fuelling Commonwealth citizens. LQVWDELOLW\DQGFRQÁLFWDQG contributing to terrorism and violent extremism. No country remains This Convention represents the prevention and asset recovery, both untouched, and no government VROHJOREDOLQVWUXPHQWWRÀJKW priorities for many Commonwealth can afford to ignore the costs of corruption. With 183 Parties, it countries. corruption. brings together 49 Commonwealth This Commonwealth Heads of United Nations Secretary-General countries, who participate in Government Meeting represents Antonio Guterres has called on the a peer review mechanism that a critical opportunity to further international community to engage promotes implementation by advance our common efforts to together “to make globalization a assessing progress, identifying prevent and combat corruption, fair globalization”. Anti-corruption gaps and supporting next steps. foster trust and promote prosperity. action is absolutely central to this 7KH8QLWHG1DWLRQV2IÀFHRQ As a leading intergovernmental body endeavour, to attaining the SDGs Drugs and Crime has worked with encompassing one third of the world’s and restoring trust – between the Commonwealth Secretariat to population, the Commonwealth has governments and their citizens, and establish the Commonwealth Africa been an important force for change. between countries. Anti-Corruption Centre, as well as As you meet to discuss and agree We already have the tools to implement follow-up initiatives on joint responses to global challenges, accomplish this. In fact in 2018, we training and knowledge sharing. I urge you to ensure that anti- are marking the 15th anniversary of We are now in the second review corruption is an essential part of your the adoption of the United Nations cycle for the Convention, focusing plan of action to create a better future Convention against Corruption. on the key challenges of corruption for all Commonwealth citizens.

113 THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION OF NIGERIA

The Commission has recovered money for governments and individuals through its interventions in pension matters and unpaid entitlements that have been the result of corruption or administrative bottlenecks, thereby directly impacting on the lives of ordinary citizens and generating confi dence in the ability of the system to redress procedural wrongdoings.

ICPC performs the tax-profi ling of individual and corporate entities that are mired in corruption issues, and has been instrumental in checking visa racketeering, a feat which has earned the country the commendation of the British, Indian and US stablished in September 2000, the Independent embassies in Nigeria, among others. Corrupt Practices and Other Related Off ences ECommission (ICPC) is Nigeria’s focal agency PREVENTION: The nature of corruption in Nigeria for tackling the scourge of public and private sector is systemic as internal controls in government corruption and several of its ramifi cations and agencies have been largely ineff ective, while nuances. regulatory oversight has remained too weak to ensure proper accountability in governance, Specifi cally, the mandate of the Commission is to carry thereby making public organisations short on out enforcement, prevention and public education, providing service delivery. as well as mobilization. Its mission is to use all lawful prevention and enforcement measures against The Commission exploits its unique power of corruption and to rid the nation of this scourge. prevention through ‘System Study and Review’ in order to improve integrity systems in the public sector. ENFORCEMENT: In performing its enforcement duties, A host of institutions have benefi tted from this and the Commission carries out investigations through have had their governance systems strengthened for petitions and intelligence and prosecutes off enders improved delivery. across the social spectrum. These have included clerks, policemen, senior public servants, judges, Complementing the above is the ‘Corruption Risk magistrates, chief executives of public organisations, Assessment’ which the Commission conducts in legislators, former State Governors and former Senate various sectors of the economy. The purpose is to Presidents. Many of the cases have resulted in eliminate the identifi ed corruption risks through a convictions against the off enders, while many more are prescription of integrity plans of action. Nigeria’s ongoing in various courts across Nigeria. aviation and maritime sectors, as well as the tertiary education subsector, have been its prime In its enforcement work, the ICPC also tracks and benefi ciaries to date. Other benefi ciaries include recovers assets suspected to be the proceeds the health and water sectors, and the e-government of corruption. These include buildings, land and platforms, namely: the Integrated Personnel Payroll numerous vehicles appropriated by retiring public Information System, the Treasury Single Account and offi cers, in whose custody the vehicles were placed the Government Integrated Financial Management for administrative and operational duties. Information System. To further strengthen its prevention mechanism, of the curriculum have been infused into subjects ICPC has installed Anti-Corruption and across the various education levels. There are also Transparency Units (ACTU) within government Anti-Corruption Clubs and Vanguards for secondary ministries and institutions. Members of these Units schools and tertiary institutions, established as serve as Compliance Offi cers. platforms to put the anti-corruption ethos into practice.

ACTUs are mandated by the Commission to The Commission also engages with the grassroots undertake all ICPC functions under the law, except through its ‘Citizens Engagement Forum’, which criminal investigation and prosecution. They report provides an opportunity for the physical interaction on corrupt practices in their organisations and the between its offi cials and ordinary people in local Commission takes action on the reported cases. communities, while religious and traditional leaders are also engaged on anti-corruption advocacy on a PUBLIC EDUCATION AND MOBILIZATION: ICPC regular basis. utilizes several mass mobilization strategies to sue for values re-orientation in line with the stipulations of its CHALLENGES: In spite of various successes, the enabling law. These strategies include: ICPC is not without obstacles that have limited its capacity to fully achieve its mandate. Chief amongst • A television programme “Corruption Must Go!’’ these is funding, which is the lifeblood of every which airs on national network and international venture. Its major source has been from government, satellite TV. with modest support from international donor agencies. This has proven inadequate, especially to • Radio programmes and jingles that reach millions undertake the resource intensive activities of criminal of listeners across the country. investigation and prosecution, as well as robust corruption prevention initiatives. • The production of video documentaries on the activities of the Commission. Further, in its years of existence, the Commission’s bid to have the gaps in its enabling law addressed by the • Frequent and regular communications with legislature is yet to yield the hoped-for outcome. mass media practitioners on its activities and achievements. Also, there is a certain lack of understanding of the work of the Commission by members of the Nigerian • A social media presence that is robust and public, who often expect it to act ultra vires, or who engaging with the populace. sometimes rise in support of an indicted individual on account of a religious or ethnic affi nity. • Toll-free telephone lines for the easy reporting of corruption by whistle blowers and enquiries by All in all though, ICPC remains focused on its mandate citizens. as a key Nigerian agency for the achievement of the country’s dream of good governance for a more Another strategy geared towards capturing virtually all prosperous and corruption-free future. sectors of society for the campaign against corruption is the National Anti-Corruption Coalition - a vibrant coalition of NGOs which have anti-corruption as their focus. The Commission coordinates their various eff orts in the campaign, such as public sensitization, reporting corruption, tracking government budgets and monitoring government projects. For all citizens who are gainfully employed, there is also the National Anti-Corruption Volunteers Corps, which provides the opportunity for a critical mass of corruption fi ghters to complement the work of the ICPC. Members come from all walks of life and are situated across all states of the Federation. The government of Nigeria is in the process of Recognising the important role the youth play as appointing a new Chairman and Board. In the interim the link between the present and the future of the the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Musa Usman country, the Commission took a proactive step Abubakar, is running the aff airs of the organisation. of institutionalising a values-based education for Nigeria’s young by developing the ‘National Values Curriculum’ and a guide on teaching it. Elements www.icpc.gov.ng A FAIRER FUTURE

STANDING UP FOR HUMAN By upholding RIGHTS human rights, we will ward UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, calls on the off the scourge Commonwealth to create a collective future of war. centred on human rights.

eventy years ago, out of the JURXQGVDVWKHIRXQGDWLRQVRISHDFHIXO devastation of the two most MXVWDQGVWDEOHVRFLHWLHVµ SKRUULÀFZDUVRXUSODQHWKDV 2XUVHDUFKIRUFROOHFWLYHVROXWLRQV NQRZQVWDWHVWRRNDVWHSWRZDUGVD KDVZDUGHGRIIWKHVSHFWUHRIJOREDO QHZNLQGRIZRUOG7KH\GLGVRLQWKH QXFOHDUZDUIDUH0DQ\FRQÁLFWV NQRZOHGJHRIZKDWJOREDOGHVWUXFWLRQ KDYHEHHQUHVROYHGRUSUHYHQWHG DQGPDVVLYHVXIIHULQJFDQPHDQRQ E\PHGLDWLRQLQWHUYHQWLRQRU WKLVSODQHWZHVKDUH7KH\EXLOWWKH DGMXGLFDWLRQ1DWLRQDOLQGHSHQGHQFH 8QLWHG1DWLRQVEHFDXVHWKHVHDUFK KDVEHHQDVVLVWHGDQGSURPRWHG IRUFRPPRQVROXWLRQVDQGDJUHHPHQWV 8QSUHFHGHQWHGDGYDQFHVLQKHDOWK LVHVVHQWLDOWRRXUVXUYLYDO$QGWKH\ ZHDOWKHGXFDWLRQDQGLQWKHDELOLW\WR GUHZXSWKH8QLYHUVDO'HFODUDWLRQRI PDNHGHFLVLYHSHUVRQDOFKRLFHVKDYH Human Rights as a guide to how to LPPHQVHO\LPSURYHGWKHOLYHVRIYDVW Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, GRLW,WEHJLQVZLWKKXPDQHTXDOLW\ QXPEHUVRISHRSOHZKRSUHYLRXVO\ United Nations High DQGGLJQLW\WKHH[SUHVVLRQRIYDOXHV VXIIHUHGGLVFULPLQDWLRQ Commissioner for Human Rights ZKLFKGUDZVIURPHYHU\FXOWXUHIURP ¶/HDYLQJQRRQHEHKLQG·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´:HWKHSHRSOHRIWKH VWURQJHUVRFLHWLHVWKDWDUHPRUHUHVLOLHQW &RPPRQZHDOWK«DUHFRPPLWWHGWR DQGEHWWHUDEOHWRZLWKVWDQGVKRFNV HTXDOLW\DQGUHVSHFWIRUWKHSURWHFWLRQ 7KLVLVDVWUXHIRUVRFLDORXWFRPHVDV DQGSURPRWLRQRIFLYLOSROLWLFDO LWLVIRUFOLPDWHUHODWHGGLVDVWHUV7KLV HFRQRPLFVRFLDODQGFXOWXUDOULJKWV &+2*0LVWDNLQJSODFHLQ/RQGRQ LQFOXGLQJWKHULJKWWRGHYHORSPHQW EHFDXVHH[WUHPHZHDWKHUUHODWHGWR IRUDOOZLWKRXWGLVFULPLQDWLRQRQDQ\ FOLPDWHFKDQJHFDQFHOOHGWKHSODQQHG

116 A FAIRER FUTURE

Challenges threaten the rights of our fellow human beings in every region.

UHQGH]YRXVLQ9DQXDWXODVW\HDU$WD ODZVLQVWLWXWLRQVDQGSULQFLSOHVVHW &RQYHUVHO\KXPDQULJKWV WLPHZKHQVFLHQFHRIIHUVXVSRZHUIXO XSWRPDLQWDLQJOREDORUGHUDUHEHLQJ PHDVXUHVEXLOGVRXQGVRFLHWLHV7KH\ IRUPVRIFOHDQHQHUJ\HQWLUHFRXQWULHV HURGHG7KHVHFKDOOHQJHVWKUHDWHQ FRQVWLWXWHFRPPLWPHQWVWKDWHYHU\ DQGFRDVWDOFLWLHVIDFHGHVWUXFWLRQE\ WKHULJKWVRIRXUIHOORZKXPDQ JRYHUQPHQWKDVPDGHWRLWVSHRSOH ÁRRGLQJ+RZHYHUHIIHFWLYHFRPPRQ EHLQJVLQHYHU\UHJLRQ7KH\GDPDJH E\WUHDW\DQGE\ODZ7KHVHDUH DFWLRQWRGLPLQLVKWKHGDPDJHDQG RXUKRSHVRIDFKLHYLQJSHDFHD SULQFLSOHVWKDWWKH&RPPRQZHDOWK ORVVRIOLIHEURXJKWE\H[WUHPHZHDWKHU VDIHHQYLURQPHQWDQGVXVWDLQDEOH with its diversity of systems and HYHQWVLVEHLQJVORZHGE\DQHDUVLJKWHG GHYHORSPHQW FXOWXUHVKDVDWLWVFRUH IDLOXUHWRHQVXUHFOLPDWHMXVWLFH ,IULJKWVDUHQRWXQLYHUVDO²ZKHUH 7KH&RPPRQZHDOWKH[LVWVWR %RWKLQWHUQDWLRQDOO\DQGLQWHUPV VRPHSHRSOHSRVVHVVPRUHULJKWV SURPRWHWKHFRPPRQZHDO²WKH RILWVLPSDFWRQFRPPXQLWLHVKXPDQ WKDQRWKHUVE\DFFLGHQWRIVNLQ ZHOOEHLQJRIDOOLWVSHRSOHV,QVHHNLQJ ULJKWVEDVHGDFWLRQLQWKLVUHJDUGPDNHV FRORUJHQGHURUJHRJUDSK\²WKDW DFRPPRQIXWXUHXSKROGLQJKXPDQ EHWWHUSROLF\1DWLRQDOO\LQIRUPLQJ LVWKHURDGWRJULHYDQFHYLROHQFH ULJKWVLVDWLWVKHDUW%\EXLOGLQJMXVWLFH SROLF\WKURXJKDKXPDQULJKWVOHQVFDQ DQGVFDUUHGVRFLHWLHV+XPDQLW\KDV DQGWKHUHIRUHSHDFHDQGGHYHORSPHQW UHGXFHWKHYXOQHUDELOLW\WRH[WUHPH WUDYHOOHGWKDWURDGRIWHQLQQDWLRQDO KXPDQULJKWVXQGHUSLQVRXQGVRFLHWLHV ZHDWKHUHYHQWVRIPDUJLQDOLVHGDQG DQGLQWHUQDWLRQDOKLVWRU\DQGLWOHDGV WKDWDUHVWDEOHDQGUHVLOLHQWDQGERXQG SRRUFRPPXQLWLHVOLYLQJLQLQDGHTXDWH WRFRQÁLFWVRGHHSWKDWQRERG\ZLQV WRJHWKHULQWKHFRPPRQJRRG FRQGLWLRQV,QWHUQDWLRQDOO\XSKROGLQJ LQWHUQDWLRQDOODZDQGLQWHUQDWLRQDO KXPDQULJKWVODZ²HVSHFLDOO\IRUVPDOO VWDWHVDQGGHYHORSLQJVWDWHV²LVD By building justice, and EHGURFNDQH[LVWHQWLDOQHFHVVLW\MXVWDV UHVSHFWIRUKXPDQULJKWVLVHVVHQWLDOWR therefore peace and development, KXPDQZHOOEHLQJ 5HFHQWO\WKH8QLWHG1DWLRQV human rights underpin sound 6HFUHWDU\*HQHUDOLVVXHGD¶UHGDOHUW· DERXWWKHVWDWHRIWKHZRUOG+H societies, that are stable and ZDUQHGRIWKHLQFUHDVLQJSRODULVDWLRQ RIVRFLHWLHVWKHGHVWUXFWLYHSRZHURI resilient, and bound together in QDWLRQDOLVPUDFLVPDQG[HQRSKRELD :DOOVDUHJRLQJXSDQGWKHHVVHQWLDO the common good.

117 A FAIRER FUTURE

CITIZEN VOICES FOR A FAIRER FUTURE

Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Vijay Krishnarayan, considers a fairer future for the Commonwealth and the essential role of people’s participation to ensure no one is left behind.

“Rule number one: life’s not fair”, I said. Having repeated this often enough at home my children started to ask about the other rules, which only encouraged me to make up some more arbitrary household by-laws. The exchange made me realise how unfair a discussion on fairness can be. should ‘leave no one behind’. This For the Commonwealth, fairness is acknowledges that fairness stems a powerful concept. It is mentioned from our understanding that each of twice in the Commonwealth us has a responsibility to each of us. Charter – in relation to the conduct 6LJQLÀFDQWO\WKLVDOVRKDVDWHPSRUDO of elections and the pursuit of a dimension – we have responsibilities Vijay Krishnarayan, global rules-based trading system. to generations to come. Director-General, But fairness also evokes other But who gets to say what is fair? In Commonwealth Foundation words that are keystones for the the Commonwealth, we aspire to plural Commonwealth, like equity and democracies where all can expect equal justice. Through this lens, fairness treatment. We want to see fairness also means sustainable development delivered, but also know that it needs and universal human rights. to be demanded if it is going to meet The development of the Sustainable people’s needs, regardless of their Development Goals (SDGs) saw status. Fairness is culturally situated the global community agree that we and negotiated.

The architecture of the SDGs acknowledges that fairness doesn’t just happen.

118 A FAIRER FUTURE

Civil society delegates from the Southern African Alliance for Youth Employment (SAAYE) meet for a learning exchange with Citizens UK in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Civil society is an essential part of institutionalised ways and means. Initiative from India and the Katiba this mix. It is these voices that can An environment that encourages Institute from Kenya are learning bring the interests and concerns – creative expression also has a part from one other to establish and particularly from those that aren’t to play in enabling citizen voice and strengthen Right to Information usually heard – into the public arena, establishing a climate for fairness. legislation. Transparency International where institutions and policies can Anthologies of writing on small Sri Lanka is doing the same, while respond. The Southern African states or the experience of indentured the Network for Non-Governmental Alliance for Youth Employment labour encourages each of us to see Organisations is informing the (SAAYE) is bringing together through the eyes of others. Short regulatory environment for civil organisations from seven countries, ÀOPVIURPQHZGLUHFWRUVIURP3DFLÀF society in Nigeria. including trade unions, churches and Islands reveal issues of concern to These examples illustrate the wider civil society, to develop ideas for new audiences. ways in which civic voices help to policies that get young people working. The architecture of the SDGs determine what fairness looks like. The Eastern African Sub-Regional acknowledges that fairness doesn’t They deepen our understanding of Support Initiative for the Advancement just happen – that it requires what fairness needs to deliver and of Women (EASSI) is monitoring foundations. SDG 16 calls for peace, shape the policies that will make it the commitments of East African justice and strong institutions. These happen. Most importantly, they help governments on gender equality and are the essential building blocks for us to be true to the commitment to had been advocating for a regional VXVWDLQDEOHGHYHORSPHQW3ROLFLHVFDQ leave no one behind, by amplifying Gender and Development Bill. signal the intent of institutions to those that are less heard. Without The Commonwealth Foundation encourage this kind of environment. this, fairness only works for those supports these initiatives but also At their best, these policies are driven who get to say what it means for recognises that not all voices get by or engage with civil society. The them, leaving others with a sense of heard through established and Commonwealth Human Rights grievance and injustice.

119 A FAIRER FUTURE

CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN POLITICS

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, calls on Commonwealth countries to make democracy more democratic by ensuring that women can participate freely, fairly and safely in elections and politics.

quality between women and Violence against women remains men, and opportunities for one of the most serious obstacles to Ewomen’s voices and leadership the realisation of women’s political, at all levels of decision-making have social and economic rights today. One been globally acknowledged as vital aspect of this is the scale of prevailing contributors to more prosperous and discriminatory legislation and policies. stable societies in the 2030 Agenda More than 150 countries still have for Sustainable Development. With laws that discriminate against women. increased agency and representation in These include family laws, penal codes, society and in public life, women are nationality laws and laws relating to EHWWHUDEOHWRUDLVHWKHSURÀOHRINH\ inheritance, ownership and control

Credit: Marco Grob Marco Credit: issues including reproductive rights, over land and other resources. In childcare, equal pay, parental leave and ÀJKWLQJIRUSROLFLHVWKDWHPSRZHU Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, pensions; and broader development women and prevent and eliminate UN Under Secretary-General and issues such as the alleviation of poverty violence against women, we have Executive Director of UN Women and delivery of services. But while worked to ensure that more women we are seeing more women than ever have access to policymaking positions, KROGLQJSXEOLFRIÀFHDQGHQJDJLQJ political leadership and other seats of in political processes, there is still power. But the path towards election a gaping gender gap for women in DQGKROGLQJRIÀFHLVIDUIURPHDV\LQ politics. Globally, just 23.5 per cent of Commonwealth countries, as elsewhere, national parliamentarians are women, and championing women’s leadership in six per cent of heads of state and six politics can bring severe repercussions per cent of heads of government. for both women voters and candidates. Currently, just six Commonwealth In many countries, women candidates member states have a woman as head face intimidation, violence and of state or government. harassment when contesting elections.

Currently, just six Commonwealth member states have a woman as head of state or government.

120 A FAIRER FUTURE

Despite family opposition and cultural Is this because their participation in norms, Vandana Bahadur Maida was elections threatens the dominance elected head of the village council in of male power, or is it a form of Khankhandvi, Madhya Pradesh, India. punishment for not conforming to the gender roles assigned to women? The women who are elected know that violence and harassment do not end at the ballot box. Far from it. Online abuse of female politicians is rife, and opens to public gaze the broader picture of toxic targeting through social media, increasing where gender as a trigger is compounded by other intersectionalities like race or sexuality. The UK Member of Parliament (MP), Diane Abbott, who received half of the 25,000 abusive tweets sent to female MPs in a six- month period in 2017, has highlighted the chilling effect this abuse has on women – and especially young black women – taking part in public life. Excluding Diane Abbott, black and Asian women MPs in Westminster received 35 per cent more abusive tweets than white women MPs. Similarly, the former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, has spoken out about women in public life facing “nearly daily” threats of violence or rape. New social media and communication technologies present opportunities for attacking women, ZLWKRQHUHSRUWÀQGLQJWKDWZRPHQ are 27 times more likely to be abused online than men. Their stories must be taken seriously and come with repercussions for the perpetrators. Women who seek to exercise WKHLUULJKWWRYRWHFDQDOVRÀQG themselves the target of violence, and intimidation can result in drastically reducing the number of women casting their ballots. In Kenya’s 2017 elections, women across the political spectrum reported harassment. During the 2015 parliamentary by-elections in Pakistan’s Lower Dir District, none of the 53,000 eligible women voters turned out to vote. It was reported that they were prevented from doing so by male family members, religious communities and by armed men at polling stations. In countries with already low rates of women in politics, violence – or the threat of

Credit: UN Women/Gaganjit Singh Women/Gaganjit UN Credit: it – can severely discourage women

121 A FAIRER FUTURE

Executive elections for the Northern Islands Market Vendor Association in Luganville, Vanuatu, saw an historic 90 per cent voter turn out rate, June 2016. Credit: UN Women/Murray Lloyd

Women must be free to vote, campaign, hold political office and speak out on behalf of their constituents, free from violent or toxic retribution. from entering politics or taking part important potential for building or toxic retribution. Innovative in elections. The consequences and longer-term change, together with prevention and response measures to the causes are both of deep concern, women’s marches around the world. counter violence against women in each indicating a cycle of persistent The United Nations also faces elections are needed globally, along discrimination. these issues, and Secretary-General with continued research to quantify Thanks to movements such as António Guterres has announced the scale of the issue. By recognising #Metoo and #Timesup, more DÀYHSRLQWSODQWRHQVXUH]HUR violence against women in politics and more women across the tolerance for sexual harassment as a serious barrier to closing the world have been able to share across the UN system. gender gap in other aspects of our their experiences of violence and Democracy is not democratic VRFLHWLHVZHFDQUHVROYHWRÀQGZD\V KDUDVVPHQW²IURPÀOPVHWVWR without equality, and while women to ensure that women can participate political chambers. They exemplify in politics experience violence and freely, fairly and safely in elections the positive power of the media intimidation. Women must be free and politics in all Commonwealth to expose abuses, build solidarity to vote, campaign, hold political countries. And with more balanced and ignite global conversations. RIÀFHDQGVSHDNRXWRQEHKDOIRI societies, we are better able to gain It is a shared experience that has their constituents, free from violent peace and prosperity.

122 A FAIRER FUTURE

TIME FOR BOLD ACTION ON FEMALE EXPLOITATION

Tanya Barron calls for urgent action to end forced labour, modern slavery, human traffi cking and the daily exploitation of women and girls throughout the Commonwealth.

he momentum behind Sustainable Startlingly, 99 per cent of people Development Goal (SDG) 8.7 is VH[XDOO\H[SORLWHGIRUFRPPHUFLDOJDLQ Tgrowing, and now is the time for DUHIHPDOHDQGRQHLQÀYHDUHJLUOV+DOI the Commonwealth to really lead the RIDOOWUDIÀFNHGSHUVRQVDUHFKLOGUHQ way in meeting it. This target commits 1HDUO\SHUFHQWRIGRPHVWLFZRUNHUV states to eradicate forced labour, modern DUHJLUOVDQGRYHURQHÀIWKRIWKHP VODYHU\DQGKXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJDQG ZRUNLQKD]DUGRXVFRQGLWLRQV while this is a global target, more than Most of those women and girls are half of all enslaved individuals are the poorest and most marginalised, and estimated to live in the Commonwealth. refugees and migrants are at increased 7DNLQJEROGDFWLRQWRHUDGLFDWHWKHVH ULVN(PHUJHQFLHVDSSHDUWRLQWHQVLI\ human rights violations is not only H[LVWLQJSDWWHUQVRIH[SORLWDWLRQDQG essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda IRUFHGPDUULDJHVH[XDOH[SORLWDWLRQ Tanya Barron, for Sustainable Development, but also DQGKXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJFDQSHDNLQ UK CEO, Plan International UK for promoting a secure, prosperous and times of crisis. fair Commonwealth. 7KHH[SORLWDWLRQRIJLUOVH[DFHUEDWHV Forced labour, modern slavery and WKHPDUJLQDOLVDWLRQDQGODFNRIDFFHVV KXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJDUHKLJKO\FRPSOH[ WRMXVWLFHWKH\H[SHULHQFH,WFDQEH DQGFRQWH[WVSHFLÀFSKHQRPHQD devastating to their health and wellbeing, Whilst anyone can be forced, coerced halt their education and economic RUGHFHLYHGLQWRH[SORLWDWLYHFRQGLWLRQV opportunities, and curtail their freedom. women and adolescent girls are These girls are not only denied disproportionately affected, accounting their childhood, they are also socially for 71 per cent of people estimated to LVRODWHG7KHLUIXWXUHLVEOHDN%XWZKDW be forced into labour and marriage. if we created a different future? 7KHVHFWRUVZKHUHH[SORLWDWLRQRFFXUV 2QDQHFRQRPLFOHYHOLWPDNHVVHQVH are highly gendered. Women and girls to prioritise this issue. Violence, abuse DUHPXFKPRUHOLNHO\WREHH[SORLWHG DQGH[SORLWDWLRQRIFKLOGUHQQHXWUDOLVHV VH[XDOO\DQGLQGRPHVWLFZRUNWKDQ development gains that, when men and boys. Men and boys are more measured indirectly as losses in future OLNHO\WREHH[SORLWHGLQFRQVWUXFWLRQ productivity, could be between 2-5 per manufacturing and agriculture. cent of global gross domestic product.

123 A FAIRER FUTURE

Whilst anyone can be forced, coerced or deceived into exploitative conditions, women and adolescent girls are disproportionately affected.

Plan International's ‘Better Opportunities for Girls’ (AMOR) programme is supporting girls so they can finish school and aims to change harmful traditional practices and social norms. Cledia, 17 and Ricardina, 15, are part of the programme in Jangamo district in Mozambique. They have received scholarships to continue their education and stay at Plan International’s boarding

school during term time. Credit: Plan International

124 A FAIRER FUTURE

this campaign was an inspiration for When we support girls to 3ODQ,QWHUQDWLRQDO7DQ]DQLDZKRZH FRQWLQXHWRZRUNZLWKLQWKHLU\RXWK realise their rights, challenge OHGFDPSDLJQDVNLQJWKHJRYHUQPHQW to address legal loopholes in the the barriers they experience and Law of the Marriage Act that allow marriage of girls below the age of 18. achieve their dreams, they go on While the recent amendment is a victory for gender and child-rights to do incredible things. DGYRFDWHVPRUHZRUNUHPDLQVWREH done to ensure that the change is fully implemented and enforced, including %XWPRUHLPSRUWDQWO\ZHNQRZ ,QWKH*RYHUQPHQWRI8JDQGD WKURXJKDSSURSULDWHE\ODZV

125 A FAIRER FUTURE

LGBTI EQUALITY FOR A FAIRER FUTURE

Justice Dingake, Co-Chair of the African Think Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice, highlights the ongoing prejudice against the LGBTI community across Africa, and calls on the Commonwealth to accelerate action for LGBTI equality and equitable access to services.

n the African continent, there that this is a ‘western concept’. Yet has been a very mixed record of homosexuality exists in every society Iachievement on human rights across the world, and Africa is not an and social justice for vulnerable and exception. In fact, Africans embrace key populations, including LGBTI that reality. The issue, I believe, (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender is that Africans have challenges and intersex) persons. It is correct in dealing with the manifestation to assert that the broad orientation of homosexuality. All that this of the legal frameworks in Africa uninformed stance has achieved is the regarding the rights of LGBTI unwarranted violation of the rights persons can be described as hostile of LGBTI persons. This includes the and anti-human rights. outright denial of basic rights and It is a sad reality that in Africa, the dignity for LGBTI persons, including Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake, lives of LGBTI persons, vulnerable their access to HIV and health Justice of the Supreme and groups and key populations remain services. There is increasing evidence National Courts of Papua New both compromised and threatened that lesbians, and transgender men Guinea, and Co-Chair of the in environments where they are and women are being targeted with African Think Tank on HIV, Health criminalised and face ongoing stigma, sexual violence because of their sexual and Social Justice discrimination, physical and sexual orientation and/or gender identity. violence, victimisation, abuse and denial The serious nature of this reality of their rights, including their right to ZDVUHÁHFWHGLQ5HVROXWLRQ health. Moreover, social and economic passed by the African Commission on inequality across the region places many +XPDQDQG3HRSOHV·5LJKWVLQ$SULO other individuals and groups at risk 7KH5HVROXWLRQGUDZVDWWHQWLRQ of HIV, including women and girls, to the deplorable situation across young people, people with disabilities, the continent of ongoing violence migrants, and mobile populations. and human rights abuses against In recent years, some African individuals based on real or perceived countries have moved to adopt sexual orientation. State-sanctioned punitive laws regarding homosexuality SHUVHFXWLRQLVVSHFLÀFDOO\FRQGHPQHG and same sex-relationships. Aside Despite this groundbreaking from the legal aspects of these resolution, the human rights of developments, these countries have LGBTI persons across the African issued populist and incorrect messages continent continue to be violated that homosexuality is ‘un-African’ and and undermined by repressive legal

126 A FAIRER FUTURE

frameworks, hate speech and violence. 2XWRIWKHFRXQWULHVLQ$IULFD criminalise same-sex relationships. In many cases these laws were introduced under the British Empire, making this a uniquely Commonwealth problem. ,Q0DUFKXQGHUWKHOHDGHUVKLS RIWKH81$,'65HJLRQDORIÀFHLQ Johannesburg, a diverse regional group of experts and advocates on HIV, human rights and social justice, including justices, lawyers, doctors, LGBTI persons and their networks, academics, faith-based organisations and policymakers, convened in South Africa, to form the African Think-Tank on Health and Social Justice. Our bold Access to healthcare is a human right that should purpose is to function as a dynamic be enjoyed by all, regardless of sexual orientation and engaged platform for strategic or gender identity. thinking, leadership and collaboration to support, expand and accelerate action on human rights and social justice for LGBTI persons, vulnerable groups and key populations across the There’s a huge amount of work African continent. The African Think-Tank on left to do, but slowly the walls Health and Social Justice is an LQQRYDWLYHSODWIRUPWKHÀUVWRILWV of prejudice against the LGBTI kind, with a clear objective to address the institutionalised stigma and community are crumbling. discrimination against LGBTI persons as well as the notion that homosexuality is ‘un-African’. The fact that the think- progress has been made on the African DUHFUXPEOLQJ7KHUHLVVLJQLÀFDQW tank is composed by Africans means continent. Botswana and Malawi are momentum and a critical mass emerging it is in a unique position to lead the slowly proceeding with removing their for resolving human rights and social debate regarding sexual orientation sodomy laws, while Mozambique and justice challenges for LGBTI persons and gender identity in the continent. Seychelles have recently decriminalised and other key populations across the Our perspective comes not only from homosexuality. The courts in other African continent, led by trailblazing a human rights and social justice angle, African Commonwealth member Africans themselves. What we now but also through African contextual countries, particularly in Kenya, need is to leverage the positive realities and lenses. Malawi, and Botswana, have been at changes alluded to above, and the As such, there is an urgent need the forefront of affecting the promise opportunities provided by platforms not only to debunk the myth that of equality of all people entrenched in such as the African Think-Tank and the homosexuality is ‘un-African’, but also these countries’ constitutions. Commonwealth Heads of Government to engage in transformational dialogue Part of my work at The African Meeting. It’s critical that we act on these with all stakeholders. Our aim is to Think-Tank on Health and Social opportunities to enhance collective assert the universality of human rights Justice is to use transformative impact regarding human rights and and the centrality of the dignity of roundtable dialogues, information social justice for all in Africa. all human beings without exception. sharing and best practices, and to work I’m heartened by the progress African societies already subscribe to with key stakeholders and communities made by some African governments this notion through the philosophy of to bring down the walls of stigma, on advancing equality for all in their Ubuntu, at the heart of which is the idea discrimination and prejudice. Through countries. Through the positive WKDWDOOSHUVRQVDUHHTXDOO\GLJQLÀHG structured dialogues with key actors, it presence of African LGBTI civil society The Commonwealth Heads of is possible to intercept and avert actions leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting provides an that could fuel further homophobia Government Meeting, we can forward important platform for African and violence against LGBTI persons. the vision of Africa that is free from advocates to appeal to their There’s a huge amount of work left discrimination and homophobia. I am governments for the right to equality to do, but slowly the walls of prejudice FRQÀGHQWZHFDQNHHSWKLVPRPHQWXP for LGBTI people. Already important against the LGBTI community going.

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SECURING A RESILIENT FUTURE IN THE AGE OF CLIMATE WARS

Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, warns of the increasingly catastrophic fi nancial impact of climate change, and considers strategies to build resilience and protect vulnerable nations against damage and loss.

Roosevelt Skerrit, 26 is the number that marks Prime Minister, humanity’s crash into the Commonwealth 2Anthropocene – the geological of Dominica age during which human activity EHFDPHWKHGRPLQDQWLQÁXHQFHRQ climate and the environment. Six weeks after Hurricane Maria made landfall in Dominica on 18 September 2017, the experts completed their preliminary assessment of the damage and loss. They pronounced that it amounted to 226 per cent of GDP. That is not a misprint. It was not 2.26 per cent or 22.6 per cent, or even 100 per cent, but 226 per cent of GDP. 7KHEDWWOHÀHOGZDVGHYDVWDWHG7KH climate wars had begun. The 2017 hurricane season was the most costly on record. Harvey, Irma and Maria, together with 14 other named storms, caused damage and loss worth approximately $300bn to Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Cuba, Florida, Texas and the British and US Virgin Islands. It is invidious to compare disasters, especially ones involving loss of life. However, to put losses of 226 per cent of GDP into some perspective, it is worth recalling the physical damage and loss from one of humanity’s greatest tragedies

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The catastrophic Hurricane Maria made landfall in Dominica on 18 September 2017 causing devastation to the island.

– the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and the earthquake that followed. We have entered a new epoch Ache Province in Indonesia bore the full force when the tsunami struck. where disaster is monumental and The loss of life was unspeakable. The physical damage was 90 per cent of sanctuary impossible. GDP in Ache, and one per cent in Indonesia as a whole. This was a huge ÀJXUHEXWLWZDVQRWSHUFHQW to 5, some have suggested that it was a per cent of GDP loss, and one that We have entered a new epoch where Category 6 hurricane. may occur with increasing frequency disaster is monumental and sanctuary Insurance is a useful mechanism and correlation with other disasters. impossible. IRUTXLFNO\VHFXULQJÀQDQFLDOUHOLHI Insurance works well when the risks The evidence is that warmer seas are Within 14 days of Maria, Dominica are random and unconnected, and leading to more intense hurricanes and received a payment of $19.3m from the the cumulative scale of disaster is cyclones, and ones that cause greater Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance commensurate with affordable annual GHYDVWDWLRQHVSHFLDOO\IURPÁRRGLQJ Fund (CCRIF). But commercial premiums. That is not the reality of Warmer seas may also be accelerating insurance cannot protect us from climate change. Just two years before the speed with which hurricanes the challenge of climate change; it 0DULD7URSLFDO6WRUP(ULNDLQÁLFWHG intensify, making preparations cannot be sized to the scale of the loss and damage of 90 per cent of harder and timely alerts less likely. damage and incidence of climate GDP, and four years before that was Maria escalated the most rapidly of change. That CCRIF payout, while the wreckage of Ophelia. any storm in history. Dominicans gratefully received, represented a mere The only solution is to become went home to prepare for a potential 1.5 per cent of the damage and loss resilient to climate change. That is Category 3 hurricane. Hours later caused by Maria. A sum one hundred ZK\ÀYHGD\VDIWHU0DULDRQWKH they were pummelled by winds of up times greater wouldn't have been ÁRRURIWKH81*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\ WRNPSHUKRXU2QWKH6DIÀU enough. There is simply no affordable ZHVROHPQO\UHVROYHGWREHWKHÀUVW Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale of 1 premium to protect against a 226 climate resilient nation in the world;

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The biggest contributors to climate change should pay the premiums for insurance against climate damage, or pay for creating resilience.

RI1DWLRQVKDYHEHHQJHQHURXV What is unjust, of course, is What is unjust, of course, is that those of us on the frontline of the that those of us on the frontline of war on climate change, paying with our lives and livelihoods, the war on climate change, paying did not cause climate change or contribute to it. Worse, those that with our lives and livelihoods, did, grew rich from doing so. From our perspective, it is the inaction did not cause climate change or of those who scoff at President Trump’s retreat on climate change, contribute to it. that empower him. The time for fancy talk is over and the time for plain action is now. to be the example for others to follow all of our natural environment. Our The problem of climate change is so that together, we can forge a more task is to build a resilient nation made that many of us need protection against secure future for all. up of resilient livelihoods, resilient the substantial damage caused by the In developing our strategy for communities, resilient forests and behaviour of others. Insurance is becoming a climate resilient nation, resilient oceans. particularly suited to those situations we have concluded that the task Implementation is as important as where the premiums serve to reduce comprises far more than better strategy. We believe that the regular risky behaviours. It is those whose construction and higher standards. structures of government do not risky behaviours contributed to Resiliency requires the integration of lend themselves to the development climate change who should be paying things previously considered separate. RIDQLQWHJUDWHGSODQQRUFURVV the premiums for insurance against If all our buildings and roads were cutting action or the accumulation of climate damage, or paying for creating left standing, but we had no food; QHZFOLPDWHUHODWHGNQRZOHGJHDQG resilience. Perhaps the premiums or if we had food but no water, skills. Consequently, in March 2018, could be raised through a levy on the water but no power, power but no we established a dedicated agency, production of fossil fuels, which would security; if our men were safe, but CREAD (the Climate Resilience be put into a global climate damages our women not, we could not claim Execution Agency of Dominica), to be fund for quick payout when disaster to be resilient. A resilient nation is our implementation arm. Others may strikes. The mechanisms are there. If also one with absorptive capacity. establish or use different implementing the fund runs low, we could raise the It is those on the edge that fall over structures, but the point is that levy and if the fund exceeds a certain in a disaster, so we need to lift them organisational structure is crucial. threshold, we could lower it. We can up. And a resilient nation is one that All of this will cost money, and UHÀQHWKHGHWDLOVEXWZHFDQ·WSRVWSRQH harnesses the regenerative power of many within this Commonwealth action any longer.

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PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Offi ce of Counter-Terrorism, welcomes the Commonwealth’s efforts to prioritise the prevention of violent extremism and considers the way forward for the Commonwealth to counter this increasingly complex and transnational threat.

iolent extremism is a direct are essential in certain situations but challenge to the shared DUHUDUHO\VXIÀFLHQWRQWKHLURZQ Vvalues and principles of the Experience has shown that harsh Commonwealth and the United crackdowns and heavy-handed Nations. It hinders our efforts to approaches that do not respect human maintain peace and security, promote rights and international law can be and protect human rights and foster counterproductive. sustainable development. It drives a While military and security measures wedge between and within societies, are important, we also need to H[DFHUEDWHVFRQÁLFWVDQGGHVWDELOLVHV focus our efforts on the underlying entire countries and regions. Violent conditions that are conducive to young extremism takes many different men and women being lured by violent shapes and forms and should not extremists. Investing in upstream and Vladimir Voronkov, be associated with any particular HDUO\SUHYHQWLRQLVWKHÀUVWOLQHRI Under-Secretary-General, religion, race, nationality or ethnic defence against radicalisation. Most United Nations Offi ce of group. new recruits to terrorist organisations Counter-Terrorism Preventing violent extremism is are between 17 and 27 years old. This rightly one of the top priorities of both is clearly a major concern when almost the Commonwealth and the United 60 per cent of the Commonwealth’s Nations. The last Commonwealth population is aged under 30. Violent Heads of Government Meeting extremist groups often exploit feelings (CHOGM) in Malta in November of disillusionment and alienation, 2015 concluded that violent offering a twisted sense of purpose to extremism represented a clear threat disaffected young people, including to the security of member countries. women and girls. No one is born a +RZHYHUWKHUHLVQRTXLFNÀ[WR violent extremist, but we know that tackle this complex and multifaceted factors such as prolonged unresolved threat. Over the past two decades, the FRQÁLFWVODFNRIWKHUXOHRIODZDQG international community has often socioeconomic marginalisation can all sought to address violent extremism play a role in transforming ideas and through security measures, which grievances into violent extremist action.

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also need to have national institutions There is no quick fix to tackle this strengthened so they have the capacity and expertise to prevent violent complex and multifaceted threat. extremism and respond effectively in the event of a terrorist attack. No country or region is immune Young people are an over- consequences of violent extremism. from the increasingly complex whelmingly positive asset to our One of the key recommendations of and transnational threat of violent societies with their idealism, the United Nations Plan of Action to extremism. There is therefore an creativity and dynamism. We need to Prevent Violent Extremism in 2015 urgent need to improve cooperation harness the energy of the 1.8 billion was the need to implement national and share good practices to address young people around the world by and regional plans of action to prevent the drivers of radicalisation at the investing in their futures through violent extremism. Some of the 60 global, regional, national and local increased education and employment member states that the United Nations levels. As an association of 53 diverse opportunities. We also need to is supporting on developing these sovereign nations with 2.4 billion empower them by giving them the national action plans are members of citizens spanning six continents, the tools they need to combat oppressive the Commonwealth. It is vital that we Commonwealth family has a key extremist narratives, xenophobia continue to work closely together to role to play in uniting communities and hate speech. I am delighted that ensure that efforts to prevent violent against violent extremism. The United there is a strong focus on youth at extremism involve all sections of society Nations stands ready to support you in this CHOGM in London. The United DQGDUHWDLORUHGWRPHHWWKHVSHFLÀF this task to help build a more secure Nations Secretary-General will be needs and circumstances of each and prosperous future for all our convening a High-level Conference of member of the Commonwealth. We citizens, especially young people. Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States in New York on 28-29 June 2018, which will include a session on engaging youth to prevent Investing in upstream and early violent extremism. I welcome the growing emphasis of prevention is the first line of defence members of the Commonwealth on preventing rather than dealing with the against radicalisation.

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COUNTERING EXTREMISM: MODERATION IN DIVERSITY

Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, encourages Commonwealth nations to celebrate diversity, and promote tolerance, mutual respect and moderation, to stem the rise of extremism.

ince its establishment in 1949, almost seven decades Sago, the Commonwealth has witnessed a remarkable period of social, economic and political change. Indeed, the organisation itself has come a long way. Having started life as an exclusive club for former colonies of Great Britain, it is now a collective family of nations bound together not just by shared history but also a shared sense of values, aspirations and goals. This is best represented by the fact that two of its most recent members, Rwanda and Mozambique, had no historical ties to the British Empire. Now, home to 2.4 billion citizens – two-thirds of whom are under the age of 30 – the Commonwealth represents the past as well as the future in a manner few organisations or associations can. As leaders from across the world congregate in London for the Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Prime Minister, Malaysia

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Malaysia embraces and celebrates muliticulturalism.

Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018), we should acknowledge that the As a multi-racial, multi-religious, Commonwealth has endured its share of challenges and struggles. Already, multi-cultural and democratic the 21st century has witnessed extraordinary events, with nations society, we believe we benefit from and citizens around the world having to endure a period of tremendous our diversity. upheaval, driven by events such DVWKHJOREDOÀQDQFLDOFULVLVWKH undermining of international political Malaysia has long promoted the Perth CHOGM in 2011 and again systems, and growing environmental tolerance, mutual respect and when the same gathering took place in issues. However, what is most moderation as important elements Colombo in 2013. alarming is that peace and security – for peaceful co-existence. We do A major testament to Malaysia’s which preceding generations fought not merely tolerate each other but success in our nation’s endeavour so hard to achieve following the we also embrace and celebrate each of promoting moderation was the barbarity of the great world wars – has other’s differences. As a multi- adoption of the Resolution on been greatly tested and compromised racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural Moderation at the United Nations by the threats of terrorism and and democratic society, we believe General Assembly in December 2017, violent extremism. Nations in the ZHEHQHÀWIURPRXUGLYHUVLW\,W which included the observance of Commonwealth have not been spared strengthens our communities, the International Year of Moderation the effects of this violence. Indeed, enhances our creativity, and ensures in 2019, an event that will shortly in the case of many member nations, inclusivity – all of which are vital be upon us. This has reinforced our they are at the frontline of this battle. ingredients in ensuring the balance of commitment to strengthening the History has shown us, time and social harmony in Malaysia. spread of moderation and ensuring again, that extremism in any form Our nation taught me that that it is used to stem the rise of all RUPDQLIHVWDWLRQZLOOLJQLWHFRQÁLFW acceptance and respect for diversity, forms of extremism through dialogue, resulting in war and untold sufferings. tolerance and understanding among mutual respect, cooperation and The spread of mistrust and intolerance peoples of different cultures, religions understanding. based on differences that fuel and beliefs are important elements in The theme for this year’s CHOGM extremism is a cause for grave concern. countering extremism. – Towards a Common Future – could Unfortunately, in far too many It is this realisation that led me QRWEHPRUHÀWWLQJIRUDZRUOGZKHUH instances, the international to call for a Global Movement of some are increasingly looking to community has taken far too long Moderates (GMM) at the United divide us. The Commonwealth, more to respond to these threats. And, as Nations General Assembly in 2010. than any other organisation, has the has been made evident by the rise of My vision was for governments, ability to bring people and nations Daesh, this has serious consequences intellectuals, scholars and business together. for global security. leaders across the world to take a Malaysia looks forward to working While some countries have been united stand in choosing moderation with the other member nations of the more affected than others, the pain over extremism. I am pleased to Commonwealth to further this cause, and suffering of those who have found say that this call has since received as well as address the critical issues WKHPVHOYHVFDXJKWLQWKLVÀUHVWRUP widespread support from many world and challenges affecting our citizens, will not be assuaged if we continue to leaders, and been recognised by the to ensure that they have the peace approach these challenges in the same international community at various and prosperity we all know they manner as before. forums, including endorsements at deserve.

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COLLABORATING ON CRIME FOR A SAFER FUTURE

Jürgen Stock, Secretary General of INTERPOL, describes how individual countries must work collaboratively to fi ght increasingly sophisticated crime.

NTERPOL’s global span across alliances or associations such as the 192 countries enables a unique and Commonwealth. Iunparalleled overview of what law At INTERPOL we see on a daily enforcement is dealing with on the basis the results achieved when countries ground in every corner of the world. Of work together, and more importantly, the 53 Commonwealth countries, all when all of law enforcement is engaged. but three (Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu) INTERPOL currently has more are also members of INTERPOL, with WKDQIRUHLJQWHUURULVWSURÀOHV the Solomon Islands having joined the in its databases, accessible by national world police body in 2017. police and border services in its 192 As we look at the evolving security member countries. We are processing threat landscape both today and tens of thousands of additional tomorrow, the issue of globalisation SURÀOHVFRQQHFWLQJSLHFHVRI Jürgen Stock, vs nationalism is one that prompts information from different sources. Secretary General, INTERPOL VLJQLÀFDQWGHEDWH7KHUHDUHRYHUODSV Every second, more than 100 searches in security concerns, but also gaps in are conducted against INTERPOL’s cooperation which provide openings global databases which contain more for criminals and terrorists who will than 74 million lost and stolen travel always exploit the smallest weakness. documents and nearly 7.2 million stolen We are all too well aware of the vehicles in addition to nominal data, threats that face us, and that for the '1$SURÀOHVÀQJHUSULQWVDQGIDFLDO Cyberattacks foreseeable future, these threats are images from around the world. increasing rather than diminishing. Last year alone, 4.6 billion searches should not be The progressive liberation of Da’esh- were carried out against our databases held territories in the Middle East by the world’s police, leading to one viewed simply as means that we are no longer dealing million positive hits, or matches. In with a centralised threat. The group’s addition, more than 12,000 child a cost of doing current efforts to build on established sexual abuse victims have so far been networks across Southeast Asia, North LGHQWLÀHGWKURXJKLPDJHVVKDUHGYLD business, but as and Sub-Saharan Africa, aligned with INTERPOL’s International Child DQLQFUHDVHGULVNRIIRUHLJQÀJKWHUV Sexual Exploitation database. a direct threat returning to their countries of origin Unless, and until this and other presents an increased and multi-layered vital policing information is readily to the health challenge to global security. available to law enforcement on the Being aware of the threats enables frontline, it remains numbers in a and safety of us to better face them, and to make table. When information is shared, maximum use of the global capabilities and more importantly accessed, we see citizens. already in existence to build on regional VLJQLÀFDQWUHVXOWV

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Current threats are stretching and straining police resources as never We see on a daily basis before, and considerable thought needs to be given by governments as to law the results achieved when enforcement funding and maximising the use of existing global networks. countries work together, and Organised crime is not reducing as terrorism grows – we are seeing more importantly, when all of law FULPLQDOVXVLQJWKHLUSURÀWVWRH[SORLW regional instability, purchase weapons enforcement is engaged. and poach endangered animals, as well DVWUDIÀFGUXJVDQGH[SORLWKXPDQ misery to smuggle people from one could be even more destructive. Cyberattacks should not be viewed region to another. It is here we need to see increased simply as a cost of doing business, but The Internet of Things presents a cooperation between the public and as a direct threat to the health and safety limitless range of opportunities for private sectors. This is one of the of citizens. The private sector must be criminals, with the ‘cybercrime as a central pillars of INTERPOL’s Global prepared to move beyond a prevention service’ concept creating thousands of Complex for Innovation, which leads model towards collaboration with digital mercenaries. In the era of smart global research and development to countries and entities like INTERPOL, cities, we are more interconnected and ensure that the world’s police is always during and after an attack. interdependent than ever, but if our able to effectively detect, prevent, If we intend to be effective and global relations, societies and economies tackle and investigate cyber and cyber- stand stronger, the way forward needs are not cohesive, then safety and security enabled crime. to be collaborative and coordinated, will not follow through smart law We must ensure that with regional so that police on the frontlines have enforcement solutions. This is especially and national partners, an effective the right information at the right time. the case with the type of technologies global early-warning system is built It must also be innovative, so that we we are seeing today, which could to ensure there is rapid information- stay ahead of the criminals. become weapons of destruction instead sharing during an attack, followed It is up to us, now, to determine of tools for advancing humankind. by concrete cooperation during how our individual endeavours must 2017 saw a number of cyberattacks, follow-up investigations. For this to come together. How they must be such as the Wannacry ransomware, work, countries must start seriously aligned to support the same goal. affecting more than 100 countries. We investing in these platforms or risk How they will best serve the men and as global players must act collectively continued global fragmentation. This women in uniform on the frontlines to prepare for and prevent other such requires political will, resources and WRÀJKWWUDQVQDWLRQDOFULPHIRURXU attacks in 2018 and beyond, which know-how. common future security.

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CYBERSECURITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Shola Taylor, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, recognises the key role of ICTs in enabling development, but highlights the risks of cybercrime and calls on Commonwealth member countries to work collectively to ensure the safety and security of cyberspace.

nformation and communication %XWGHVSLWHWKHEHQHÀWVDQG technologies (ICT) are now opportunities offered by ICTs, Ia key driver of social and cyberspace presents many risks and economic development across the challenges. All the threats outlined in Commonwealth. However, alongside the CHOGM secure future thread can WKHEHQHÀWVDQGRSSRUWXQLWLHVRIIHUHG be perpetrated online. Cybercrime by technology, there are also risks and continues to be an obvious threat to challenges to the use of cyberspace. government and private businesses, For ICTs and the Internet to realise personal conversations and data, their full developmental impact, the shopping, government business, safety and security of cyberspace etc. A number of cases have been must be ensured through effective, reported about computer viruses cross-border cybersecurity policies destroying personal information, Shola Taylor, Secretary- throughout the Commonwealth. or shutting down large networks. General, ICTs and cyberspace play a key A number of individuals within the Commonwealth role in enabling the realisation of Commonwealth have fallen victim Telecommunications the Sustainable Development Goals WRF\EHUIUDXG2IÁLQHFULPHV Organisation (SDGs). They also feature prominently such as theft, child abuse, stalking in this year’s Commonwealth Heads and harassment have also been of Government Meeting (CHOGM) perpetuated online. as a means to contribute to a more And of course terrorism, serious sustainable future, a more secure organised crime, violent extremism future, a more prosperous future and a DQGKXPDQWUDIÀFNLQJFDQDOOEH fairer future. ICTs and cyberspace can facilitated and carried out online. be used to mitigate climate change, These threats impact the increase resilience and protect the Commonwealth to a high degree environment. ICTs and cyberspace given the comparatively high scale can be used to combat the threats of internet penetration and adoption posed by terrorism and crime. ICTs in Commonwealth countries. This and cyberspace are a means for makes it essential for Commonwealth economic growth. And ICTs and member countries to work collectively cyberspace are also a means for social to protect cyberspace, especially their development through education, infrastructure and data that is stored increased access to health care and RQLWRUÁRZVWKURXJKLWLQRUGHUWR better government services. keep these safe, secure and resilient.

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As a group of countries spread over six continents that subscribe to the values of democracy, good governance, human rights, international peace and security, tolerance, respect and understanding, freedom of expression, rule of law and sustainable development, the Commonwealth is well placed to take on the challenge of protecting cyberspace. And by working individually and together on cybersecurity, the Commonwealth is well-placed to become a leading international voice on this issue. For ICTs and cyberspace to deliver on their potential for socio-economic development, nations must adopt and implement national cybersecurity strategies. These will provide the framework to protect the cyberspace infrastructure, its content and users. In 2014 the Commonwealth ICT ministers adopted the Commonwealth Approach for Developing National Cybersecurity Strategies, developed by the CTO. This is based on four Despite the benefits and key principles steeped in the values of the Commonwealth: we contribute opportunities offered by ICTs, to a safe and an effective global cyberspace; our actions in cyberspace cyberspace presents many risks and support broader economic and social development; we act individually and challenges. collectively to tackle cybercrime; and we each exercise our rights and meet our responsibilities in cyberspace maintaining that the strategy should The CTO approach is also Bearing in mind these principles, the UHÁHFWWKHFRQVFLRXVDQGFRQWLQXRXV JXLGHGE\SULQFLSOHVWKDWUHÁHFW approach offers guidance to countries balance of the achievement of security each country’s culture and the in the development, deployment and goals, while respecting privacy and Commonwealth cyber governance revision of their national cybersecurity protection of civil liberties. principles. Design and delivery of the strategies, emphasising the need for each The guide was created as a tool to strategy also includes a wide range of country to take into account its culture, assist countries in developing their stakeholders from across the public its national priorities, the risks it faces national cybersecurity strategies and private sectors, academia and and the impact of this strategy, both and has led to the CTO providing civil society. regionally and globally. The approach assistance to countries from across the With cybersecurity having shows key aspects of what should be Commonwealth, including Botswana, such a major role to play in the contained within a national strategy and Cameroon, Fiji, Malawi, Mozambique, ambitions of CHOGM, and indeed how these can be captured, while also Tanzania and Uganda. in ensuring that ICTs make their full contribution to the SDGs, the CTO is calling on Commonwealth Heads of Government to pay The CTO is calling on particular attention to cybersecurity at this year’s meeting, and to Commonwealth Heads of initiate a programme of practical action aimed at ensuring the safety, Government to pay particular security and resilience of cyberspace. As an organisation mandated to attention to cybersecurity at this lead on shared ICT efforts in the Commonwealth, we stand ready to year’s CHOGM. assist this process.

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COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING 2018 REPORT

THE COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTING 53 NATIONS ACROSS SIX CONTINENTS, ONE-FIFTH OF GLOBAL TRADE AND ONE-THIRD OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION.