Commonwealth leaders to tackle reform of global institutions

14 May 2008

“Some of today's key international institutions, established more than half a century ago, are not aligned to the way that the world has changed,” says Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will bring together some 12 Commonwealth Heads of Government in London on 9 and 10 June 2008 to discuss the reform of international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The leaders will be drawn from all five continents on which the Commonwealth is present, and will represent states both large and small, rich and poor.

“This is a rare and hugely significant gathering of Commonwealth leaders,” Mr Sharma said.

“Some of today's key international institutions, established more than half a century ago, are not aligned to the way that the world has changed. Meanwhile, in areas like environmental governance there are gaps in the architecture of international organisations, which must be filled.

“There is a need for change, and that change must reflect the full global spectrum of interests and needs. International institutions must support an inclusive and comprehensive globalisation, which benefits the entire global community.”

The meeting will focus on practical steps which Commonwealth member states can take to achieve the reform and coherence of global institutions. Its three-part focus will be on the international financial institutions, global environmental governance, and the UN system.

“These bodies need to reflect the interests of the whole membership, especially those small developing states, as championed by the Commonwealth, whose voice is often not heard in international councils. I expect the diversity of our membership and the strength of our influence to achieve global impact,” the Secretary-General said.

The meeting is the first step in implementing the decision of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), at which leaders decided to establish a small representative group from their 53-member association, to undertake lobbying and advocacy for the reform of international institutions.

Note to Editors and Media Advisory

1. A press conference is scheduled to be held at the end of the meeting on 10 June at around 14:30hrs. Journalists wishing to cover this meeting and press conference, please send the attached media accreditation form together with 2 passport-size photos (in .jpg format, and a supporting letter from your editor) to Julius Mucunguzi, Communications Officer at email: j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int and cc: c.price@commonwealth.int. The deadline for accreditation is 30 May 2008.

2. Paragraph 54 of the 2007 CHOGM communiqué states that “Heads of Government expressed concern that the current architecture of international institutions, which was largely designed in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, does not reflect the challenges in the world of the 21st century. This undermines the legitimacy, effectiveness and credibility of the whole international system. Heads requested the Secretary-General to establish a small representative group of their number that would build on the considerable work that has already been done to undertake advocacy and lobbying in support of wide-ranging reforms. In doing so, the group would take particular cognisance of the special needs of LDCs and small states. This group would report back to the next Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.”

3. For media enquiries, please contact Mr Eduardo del Buey, Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs Division on email: e.delbuey@commonwealth.int or Tel: 020-7747-6380 or Mobile: +44-7740-450-901.

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