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The Committee of the Whole

Report of the Committee of the Whole

Commonwealth Functional Co-operation

1. The Committee of the Whole met on 11 November 1999 in Durban to consider Commonwealth functional co-operation.

Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation

2. The Committee reaffirmed its strong support for the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC), noting the valuable technical assistance delivered by the Secretariat over the last two years in filling key strategic gaps in skills, expert policy advice and other areas to developing member countries, particularly small states. It expressed appreciation for the flexible and cost-effective nature of the CFTC's response to the requests of member states, which underscored its position as the primary instrument of development co-operation in the Commonwealth.

3. The Committee noted with satisfaction the process of reform initiated by the Secretary-General to make the CFTC more cost-effective and sharply focused, based on the report CFTC: A Rethink, which had been endorsed by the CFTC's Board of Representatives.

4. The Committee expressed its concern at the continued decline in CFTC resources notwithstanding increased pledges by a number of developing member countries over the last several years. It recalled the commitment made by Heads of Government in 1995 to restore CFTC resources to 1991/92 levels in real terms and expressed appreciation to those member countries which had increased their contributions. It strongly urged all governments in a position to do so to enhance their contributions to the Fund, with a view to achieving the 1995 commitment. The Committee also urged that pledges made to the CFTC be paid in timely fashion, noting that the earlier the payment of pledges in any financial year, the greater would be the CFTC's capacity to effectively deliver its programme of assistance

5. The Committee welcomed progress made under the Trade and Investment Access Facility (TIAF) since the Edinburgh CHOGM in responding to the trade and investment-related needs of member countries. The TIAF remains open for further contributions from governments wishing to extend its beneficial impact. The Committee further expressed its appreciation of the Secretariat's efforts to give strategic direction to the future activities of the TIAF and believes these should focus on member countries' needs in WTO.

Environment

6. The Committee noted the fact that the Commonwealth Consultative Group on the Environment (CCGE) had met before the 1999 Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the review of the 1994 Barbados Programme for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and expressed satisfaction at the initiatives agreed by the CCGE for accelerating the sustainable development of SIDS, an aim to which the Committee attached importance.

7. The Committee considered a report from the Commonwealth Secretariat on international mechanisms for disaster relief and called for the strengthening of mechanisms which provide assistance to meet the pre- and post-disaster requirements of vulnerable countries, including through the creation of new windows of support from international financial institutions, and the development of partnerships with the private sector to promote post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation.

8. The Committee welcomed the successful mobilisation of additional resources from a coalition of Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth donors to accelerate the implementation of the Commonwealth's Iwokrama Rain Forest Programme. It further urged member governments to support the initiatives of the Board of the Programme in intensifying the mobilisation of increased financial and other material assistance from non-Commonwealth countries to address funding gaps.

9. The Committee also urged the Commonwealth Secretariat to initiate studies upon request to find alternative sources of energy especially for developing member countries of the Commonwealth.

10. The Committee noted the debate on the development and commercialisation of genetically modified organisms, which raised important policy issues concerning their potential benefits for global food production and human health and their impact on the environment, food safety, the control of agricultural technology and the direction of agricultural change. It called upon participating States to seek the finalisation and adoption of an effective and meaningful Protocol on Biosafety at the resumed session of the Extraordinary Conference of the Parties in January 2000.

11. The Committee welcomed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a first step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and called for its effective implementation by all the parties concerned. In this context, it urged member governments to work towards resolving outstanding issues of the Protocol, under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, by the end of 2000.

Human Settlements

12. The Committee welcomed the establishment of a Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS) and the Group's report, Focus on the Habitat Agenda: The Commonwealth Development Framework for Human Settlements, which underscored the need for practical ways to secure Commonwealth implementation of the Habitat Agenda, including greater international co-operation towards that end.

Debt

13. The Committee commended the initiatives of the Commonwealth Secretariat to improve the HIPC framework. The greater emphasis on growth and poverty eradication as the ultimate objective of debt relief is indeed encouraging. While it was recognised that the enhanced HIPC represented a step change improvement on the original framework, it still fell short of expectations of many HIPC countries. In order for HIPC countries to get timely access to the initiative, they may require additional technical assistance from the international community. Ensuring the effective implementation of the enhanced HIPC framework in a manner which is not at the expense of other developing countries is important and will also depend on the means of mobilising additional resources, including non-debt creating ones.

Good Governance and Combating Corruption in Economic Management

14. The Committee took note of the Report of the Expert Group established by the Secretary-General to study issues relating to the promotion of good governance and combating corruption in economic management at both national and global levels. It believed that the Framework for Commonwealth Principles on Promoting Good Governance and Combating Corruption constituted a basis for a concerted strategy and action to achieve these ends. It emphasised the Commonwealth's zero tolerance for all types of corruption and further believed that popular support should be mobilised throughout society against corruption and that in exposing corruption, all areas of corporate activity, whether local or international, be examined.

Money Laundering

15. The Committee encouraged member countries to continue to implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering. It welcomed the efforts to launch a Commonwealth Eastern and Southern African group to co-ordinate anti-money laundering strategies and urged the early entry into force of the Memorandum of Understanding that would enable the Group to begin its work. It commended the work of the Caribbean FATF and called on Commonwealth countries from the Asia/Pacific region which had not yet joined the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering to consider doing so in order to strengthen regional anti-money laundering efforts within the Commonwealth. It requested the Secretariat to continue its work on the problems of parallel economies and assist in improving regulatory standards in all financial centres, where appropriate, in order to combat money laundering.

Private Investment and Capital Flows

16. The Committee welcomed the establishment of the Tiona Fund for the Caribbean region under the Commonwealth Private Investment Initiative. It expressed satisfaction at the work of the three other regional funds already in operation for Africa, the Pacific and South Asia. It noted the intention to establish successor funds for the African and Pacific regions of the Commonwealth. It expressed confidence that these Commonwealth initiatives would promote investment and economic growth in the Commonwealth developing countries involved.

17. The Committee welcomed the Code of Good Practice for Promoting Private Capital Flows and Coping with Capital Market Volatility endorsed by Commonwealth Finance Ministers and called for the implementation of the policies and measures set out in the Code and the options delineated for dealing with sudden surges of capital inflows and outflows. It endorsed the call for multilateral infrastructure to be established to help countries cope with the potential or actual volatility of private flows. Recognising that the Code is a necessary though not a sufficient condition for ensuring economic and financial stability, it noted that policy options available to economies should not be confined to standard policy prescriptions. The recent experience indicated that flexibility in the choice of policy instruments in times of crisis could be considered at the same time as pursuing structural reforms.

Electronic Commerce

18. The Committee noted the progress made by the Secretariat in promoting Electronic Commerce and urged the Secretariat and member governments to assist in building the capacity of the less developed members in developing this business medium, particularly in support of the small and medium size enterprise sector.

Public Service Reform

19. The Committee reiterated the need for sustained reform of the public sector and public services and welcomed the further steps taken by the Secretariat towards that end. In this context, it noted the report of a conference held in Canada in April 1998 on Governance for the 21st Century: Lessons and New Directions in Public Sector Reform. The Committee also reaffirmed its support for the work of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) in strengthening public management and consolidating democracy and good governance.

Freedom of Access to Official Information

20. The Committee took note of the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Principles endorsed by Commonwealth Law Ministers and forwarded to Heads of Government. It recognised the importance of public access to official information, both in promoting transparency and accountable governance and in encouraging the full participation of citizens in the democratic process.

Education

21. The Committee noted the progress made by the Secretariat in helping member countries use technology in education, such as in establishing the Commonwealth Electronic Network for Schools and Education. It also took note of other initiatives in the field of education.

Health

22. The Committee drew the attention of Heads of Government to the Message from Commonwealth Health Ministers following their meeting in Barbados in November 1998. It welcomed the efforts made in the implementation of a Commonwealth programme of activities in the area of women and health as well as child survival, human resource development, the reduction of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.

23. The Committee noted with grave concern the devastating social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and that despite existing methods of prevention and control of the pandemic, morbidity and mortality continued to rise in Commonwealth developing countries. It urged Heads of Government to view the prevalence of HIV/AIDS as a Global State of Emergency and called on them to urge all sectors of their government, international agencies and the private sector to co-operate in increased efforts to address the problem, with greater priority to research into new methods of prevention, including in particular the urgent development of an effective vaccine, and effective ways of making drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS accessible to the affected population.

Gender

24. The Committee invited Heads of Government to endorse the Update to the 1995 Commonwealth Plan of Action on Gender and Development presented by Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs, and to approve its presentation as the Commonwealth contribution to the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the Beijing Platform for Action in June 2000. It also took note of the report by the Commonwealth Secretariat on the implementation of the 1995 Plan of Action. Heads of Government are urged to ensure provision of adequate resources to strengthen National Women's Machineries in order to achieve gender mainstreaming in all government policies, plans and programmes, in collaboration with other stakeholders, including international stakeholders.

25. The Committee invited Heads of Government to endorse the message from Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs, to ensure future Commonwealth support to governments and the Secretariat to mainstream gender; to enhance women's participation in political decision-making and peace processes; to promote women's human rights; and to address the impacts of globalisation and macro-economic changes on women and vulnerable communities.

Youth Affairs

26. The Committee drew the attention of Heads of Government to the Message from Commonwealth Ministers Responsible for Youth Affairs, following their meeting in May 1998. It received the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE) to the year 2005, recognising that the Ministers endorsed the policy framework represented by the Plan, and noted that the PAYE offered a range of options which would enable governments to select policies that would empower young people. The Committee therefore encouraged the endorsement of the PAYE by Heads of Government as a commitment to youth empowerment and as a demonstration of international leadership in youth affairs.

27. The Committee expressed satisfaction that the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) was continuing its work in the three strategic directions of National Youth Policies, Human Resource Development and Youth Empowerment and reaffirmed its support of the Programme. The Committee further endorsed the current efforts at restructuring the operations and the strategic priorities of the CYP so that it can make an even greater impact on young people.

Science and Technology

28. The Committee took note of the review of the mandate of the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC) carried out by a Steering Group. It believed that the CSC Report Knowledge Networking for Development: Science and Technology for the Millennium provided a valuable framework for increasing the benefits to member countries.

29. The Committee recommended that Heads of Government endorse the decision of the Executive Committee of the CSC to implement the Commonwealth Knowledge Network (CKN) to assist member countries in capacity-building to use science and technology for solving development problems through increased exchange of knowledge and expertise. The Committee recognised the contribution made by the COMNET IT since its inception four years ago to the promotion of the use of information technology for policy development and good practice in the public service as well as the development of institutional networking, and encouraged Commonwealth countries to participate in its activities.

30. The Committee encouraged countries that were not yet members to join the Council and urged those members in arrears of their contributions to clear these in order to actively participate in the benefits of a revitalised CSC.

Secretariat Management and Administrative Practices

31. The Committee paid tribute to the Secretary-General's foresight in initiating reforms that would enable the Commonwealth to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It affirmed its strong support for this process and requested the Secretariat and member countries to carry forward Chief Anyaoku's vision of a re-invigorated Commonwealth promoting the goals of sustainable development, democracy, good governance, and respect for human rights by building the capacity of member countries and their supporting institutions in order to efficiently attain those goals.

Parliamentary and Local Government Good Practice

32. The Committee recognised the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) as the parliamentary partner of the Commonwealth's governmental and non-governmental sectors in advancement of the democratic culture in the Commonwealth, and endorsed the CPA's efforts to seek financial and other support from the international community to sustain the services and programmes necessary to strengthen representative government.

33. The Committee recognised the value of partnership between the central, provincial and local spheres of government, and acknowledged the role of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and its close co-operation with the Commonwealth Secretariat in the promotion of democratic values and best practices in local government. It encouraged the establishment of local government information centres at regional level and expansion of the Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme.

Commonwealth Foundation

34. The Committee welcomed the Report of the Commonwealth Foundation to Heads of Government and reaffirmed its support for the work undertaken by the Foundation in the four areas covered by its mandate, namely, capacity building, networking and collaboration among non-governmental organisations (NGOs); professional development and exchange; promotion of arts and culture; and promotion of Commonwealth understanding.

35. It noted the findings of the Foundation's Summary Report Citizens and Governance - Civil Society in the New Millennium presented to the Commonwealth NGO Forum in Durban and encouraged implementation of its recommendations. The Committee welcomed the continuing emphasis the Foundation was placing on strengthening NGO/government partnerships, particularly in the context of poverty eradication and equal opportunities for all.

36. It paid tribute to the contribution made to the work of the Foundation by the outgoing Director, Dr Humayun Khan and welcomed the new Director- designate, Mr Colin Ball.

Commonwealth of Learning

37. The Committee received with satisfaction the Report of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and noted COL's success in fulfilling the objectives set out in its Three-year Plan, 1997-2000, approved by Ministers of Education at their meeting in Botswana and endorsed by Heads of Government during their Meeting in Edinburgh. The Committee appreciated that COL constitutes an ideal instrument through which the Commonwealth can extend access to education and training to meet its human resource development needs and to prepare Commonwealth citizens for the challenges of a global knowledge-based society. It encouraged COL to form partnerships as appropriate to enhance its capacity to pursue the full breadth of the goals and mission envisaged for COL in the Board's Report.

38. The Committee endorsed the direction sketched out for the next Three-year Plan, 2000-2003, given the critical importance of education and training to every aspect of human, social and economic development, as well as the opportunities presented by the new information and communication technologies. The Committee encouraged Commonwealth Ministers of Education to make pledges sufficient to provide COL with a minimum of $9 million annually to carry out this Plan.

Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management

39. The Committee welcomed the progress made by the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) since its establishment in 1995 as a new co-operative public/private sector mechanism for promoting greater understanding of and action on key technology management issues.

40. The Committee noted the evolution of the International Dialogues on "Smart Partnership" held at the Regional Hubs in Southern Africa, the Caribbean and Asia and the establishment of National Hubs promoting national dialogues for greater economic, technological and regulatory awareness.

41. It reaffirmed support for CPTM's objectives and mission and urged the contributing Commonwealth Governments, to provide CPTM with enhanced funding - and those who are not already contributing, to consider the possibility of pledging an annual contribution which will also encourage the flow of resources from the private sector to intensify CPTM's advisory and "Smart Partnership" activities.

Commonwealth Sport

42. The Committee welcomed the Report of the CHOGM Committee on Co-operation through Sport (CCCS) and endorsed its recommendations. It commended the CCCS for its work in promoting development through sport in the Commonwealth. It therefore recommended the extension of the mandate of the CCCS for a further four year term from 1999 to 2003

43. The Committee received a presentation on the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester from the Chairman of the Organising Committee, noted the progress made in its preparations, and looked forward to a further update during CHOGM in 2001.

Arrears of Contributions to the Secretariat's Budgets

44. Concerned with the rising levels of arrears of contributions to the Commonwealth Funds, the Committee approved the following measures to take effect from 1 July 2000:

  1. all countries are expected to pay their annual contribution in full. Those countries which failed to meet their obligations and were three or more years in arrears (excluding the current year) to the Commonwealth Secretariat assessed budget and had not agreed specific arrangements to pay such arrears, should not expect to be considered for technical assistance from any of the Secretariat's budgets;

  2. when a country continued to remain in arrears in its contribution to the Secretariat's assessed budget for four years or more (excluding the current year), it would be deemed to have opted to become a special member. This would preclude attendance at Heads of Government Meetings;

  3. in order to benefit from technical assistance from the CFTC, a country in addition to meeting its obligations to the Commonwealth Secretariat's budget, as set out in recommendation (I) above, must have pledged at least four out of five years including the current year and should not be more than three years in arrears of payments (excluding the current year);

  4. in the case of the CYP, in addition to meeting its obligations in recommendation (I) above, the countries must have pledged for at least four out of five years, including the current year, and must not be in arrears for more than three years, excluding the current year, in order to participate in the activities of the CYP and attend ministerial meetings;

  5. for the CSC, in addition to meeting its obligations in recommendations (I) above, countries in arrears for three years or more, excluding the current year, would not be eligible to participate in the activities of the CSC and attend Council meetings;

  6. the Secretary-General would in each case undertake prior consultations with the governments concerned in order to confirm that the measures outlined above would be applied.



Commonwealth Secretariat
International Convention Centre
Durban
11 November 1999

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