Foreign ministers meet in New York

Commonwealth foreign ministers held their annual meeting in the wings of the 63rd United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24 September 2008 to discuss progress on implementing key recommendations made at last year’s Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda.

At the meeting chaired by Uganda’s Foreign Minister, Sam Kutesa, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma reported that the Commonwealth Secretariat had developed practical proposals to implement the Kampala Declaration on Transforming Societies to Achieve Political, Economic and Human Development. He said this included case studies on successful examples of transformation. These will be used to create a knowledge bank of best practice initiatives at the disposal of member governments.

Foreign ministers also considered a progress paper by the Secretariat on the implementation of the Munyonyo Statement on Respect and Understanding. The Statement, adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last November, endorses recommendations made by the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding to look at the causes of conflict in society and to address intolerance, fanaticism, violence and terrorism.

The Secretary-General updated the ministers on progress made in implementing the Lake Victoria Commonwealth Climate Change Action Plan. There was considerable discussion on this issue, which Mr Kutesa described as “a matter of great concern to the whole membership”. The Secretariat was encouraged to continue with its work in implementing the Action Plan.

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to host a ministerial meeting on terrorism early next year. It was agreed that senior officials of the Commonwealth Committee on Terrorism should meet in the first instance in London before the end of 2008 to make recommendations to ministers on the future course of action.

The Secretary-General also briefed foreign ministers on his ongoing Good Offices engagements and the Commonwealth’s activities to support democracy in member countries. This work was strongly supported and encouraged by all members. Mr Kutesa concluded: “It is clear to us that the Commonwealth’s trusted partner status is a great asset which needs to be preserved and reinforced.”

Ministers expressed disappointment that the Doha Round of multilateral trade talks had stalled at an important point of time for the global economy. There was general agreement on the need to revive the Round at the earliest opportunity, while ensuring that the talks delivered on their promised development dividend.

Implementation of the Secretariat’s programme to help small states build resilience and overcome inherent vulnerabilities, including progress on establishing a Commonwealth Office for Small States in Geneva, was welcomed.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago informed ministers that preparations for the 2009 CHOGM are on track. Sri Lanka reiterated its offer to host CHOGM in 2011.

Key Links:

• Sustainability
• Small States
• Kampala Declaration
• Commonwealth Climate Change Action Plan