Notable Meetings 1971 - 1989

January 1971, Singapore – Meetings of Commonwealth Prime Ministers were renamed Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, as many member countries were by now headed by executive Presidents. Heads of Government issued the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and welcomed the establishment of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC), a multilateral fund to assist development.

August 1973, Ottawa – Heads of Government issued a Statement on nuclear weapons tests. They endorsed the Commonwealth Youth Programme, previously approved by Ministers of Youth Affairs, and instructed the Secretary-General to proceed with its implementation. The Retreat, designed to ensure informality and free discussion among leaders, was introduced.

April-May 1975, Kingston – The meeting appointed a Commonwealth Expert Group to assist progress towards narrowing the gulf between rich and poor countries, set up a Commonwealth Committee on Cyprus to help in the implementation of UN resolutions, and looked forward to welcoming Namibia into the Commonwealth following independence. Aid was offered to Mozambique, which was applying sanctions against Rhodesia at great cost to its economy. Heads of Government elected Shridath Ramphal, Foreign Minister of Guyana as the second Commonwealth Secretary-General.

June 1977, London – The meeting recognised that the policies of South Africa played a central role in perpetuating the interrelated problems of Southern Africa. The Gleneagles Agreement discouraged sporting links with South Africa. A Ministerial Committee on Belize was set up to help promote independence for that country.

August 1979, Lusaka – Heads of Government confirmed their commitment to Zimbabwe’s independence on the basis of majority rule. They reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to racial equality in the Lusaka Declaration on Racism and Racial Prejudice. They approved the establishment of an Industrial Development Unit within the Secretariat and commissioned a study of factors inhibiting structural change and world economic growth. Tuvalu’s accession to special membership of the Commonwealth was acknowledged.

September-October 1981, Melbourne – The Melbourne Declaration laid down principles for justice in world economic relationships. Commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their determination to ensure that Namibia’s right to self-determination and independence be respected, and condemned South Africa’s attempts to destabilise its neighbours.

November 1983, New Delhi – Heads of Government issued the Goa Declaration on International Security, calling for East-West dialogue, the end of the nuclear arms race and the strengthening of international machinery to reduce tension and resolve disputes. They constituted the Commonwealth Action Group on Cyprus, issued the New Delhi Statement on Economic Action and set up a Consultative Group to promote agreement on key economic issues. They urged special assistance for the Commonwealth’s small states, and initiated an expert study on their security and economic problems.

October 1985, Nassau – The Commonwealth Accord on Southern Africa demanded the dismantling of apartheid and agreed on a range of measures to put pressure on the Pretoria regime. In the Nassau Declaration on World Order, Commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their support for the UN system and called for a new framework of collective security.

August 1986, Review Meeting, London – Seven leaders met to review progress in South Africa following the Nassau initiatives and the visit of the Eminent Persons Group to South Africa earlier that year. Six leaders decided on strong economic sanctions backed by intensive efforts to obtain concerted international support; the UK agreed on limited measures plus participation in any European Community sanctions.

October 1987, Vancouver – Heads of Government issued the Vancouver Declaration on World Trade, pledging to work for a more open, viable and durable trading system. The Okanagan Statement and Programme of Action on Southern Africa increased the pressure for change in South Africa and established a Committee of Foreign Ministers on Southern Africa. Leaders also set up inquiries into global climate change and sea-level rise, and the impact of structural adjustment programmes on women. They agreed to set up the Commonwealth of Learning to advance distance education.

October 1989, Kuala Lumpur – The Langkawi Declaration on Environment was issued. The Kuala Lumpur Statement entitled ‘Southern Africa: The Way Ahead’ maintained pressure on the Pretoria regime and endorsed the programme to bring peace and democracy to South Africa outlined in 1986. The meeting initiated a high-level appraisal of the role of the Commonwealth in the 1990s and beyond. Nigerian diplomat and former Foreign Minister Chief Emeka Anyaoku was elected as the third Commonwealth Secretary-General, starting in July 1990.