Obama’s peace prize award ‘strikes tremendous chord’

9 October 2009

Commonwealth Secretary-General reacts to Nobel Peace Prize announcement

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on 9 October 2009 expressed his “sincere congratulations” to Barack Obama on winning this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The US President was announced as recipient of the prestigious award by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on 9 October for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

Mr Sharma, writing in a personal letter to Mr Obama, welcomed the President’s work on behalf of vulnerable people around the world as well as his efforts to build “global peace and development”. He added that the Commonwealth hoped to continue discussions of “shared interest and commitment in these areas”.

“We were delighted to learn that you have today been accorded the Nobel Peace Prize,” Mr Sharma wrote.

“Your concern for the ‘vulnerable’, as mentioned in your UN General Assembly speech, has struck a tremendous chord. It is at the core of the work of the Commonwealth.”

Mr Obama follows in the footsteps of previous award winners Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Mikhail Gorbachev, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama.

Awarded since 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize seeks to recognise individuals or groups who "have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses".

Mr Sharma’s letter in full:

“Dear Mr President,

We were delighted to learn that you have today been accorded the Nobel Peace Prize. Please accept my sincere congratulations.

Your concern for the ‘vulnerable’, as mentioned in your UN General Assembly speech, has struck a tremendous chord. It is at the core of the work of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth brings together one third of humanity, and one quarter of the world’s states. We work towards ensuring that the concerns of vulnerable states and small states are taken into account in global decision-making.

We therefore collectively in the Commonwealth appreciate the contribution that you are making to global peace and development, which has been so worthily recognised, and look forward to continuing our discussion of shared interest and commitment in these areas, through your associates and representatives.

With high regards, Kamalesh”