Secretary-General, UK Minister discuss role and future of the Commonwealth

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and UK International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell on 12 May 2011 spoke of the contribution, prospects, and future challenges facing the Commonwealth. They were joined by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a member of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), an initiative of Commonwealth Heads of Government to raise the profile of the association.

They were addressing an audience of professionals at the Department for International Development (DFID) headquarters in London. Staff at DFID’s office in East Kilbride, Scotland, joined by videolink and staff at other offices participated via audio.

The three main speakers agreed that the 54-member country association has played a critical role in promoting democracy, good governance and development - and that it has untapped potential to do even more.

Mr Sharma spoke about the Commonwealth’s unique quality as a trusted partner in creating respect and understanding in an increasingly polarised world - a key ingredient for establishing an environment conducive for doing business, creating jobs, protecting livelihoods and reducing poverty.

“The Commonwealth has managed to create convergence and understanding without friction, among and between different societies,” the Secretary-General said.

Mr Sharma pointed out that some of the most important work the organisation does goes on behind the scenes, leading critics to perceive it as inactive or silent on some issues.“We don’t often make headlines, but our work of supporting the strengthening of democratic institutions and rule of law is very important. For example how do you evaluate the work the Commonwealth did in supporting a country like the Maldives to move from a single party closed society to a multiparty democracy? This is work that took about seven years,” he said.

“How do you measure the impact of the Commonwealth’s work on advocating for a fairer trading world, or the need for equity and reform of international institutions?”

The Secretary-General added: “You have to draw a deep breath to measure and evaluate the work the association does, because we don’t operate like a donor agency. We are demand driven and listen to our partners and respond appropriately.”

He said the organisation always works with the purpose of instilling resilience through strengthening institutions of public service, accountability and good governance. Mr Sharma stressed that the Commonwealth is always working to sharpen its impact and remain relevant to its peoples.

He said the Eminent Persons Group is currently conducting a review and preparing recommendations for Heads of Government on ways, in the context of promoting its values and principles, of sharpening the Commonwealth’s impact, strengthening its networks and raising its profile for the future.

For his part, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for International Development stated that his government would like to strengthen its ties with the Commonwealth in order to deliver assistance on fighting poverty and promoting good governance.

“The government would like to reinvigorate its engagement with the Commonwealth because the association is a unique family as a network of networks,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We can certainly do much more together with the Commonwealth,” he added.

Speaking at the same event, Sir Malcolm, warned that while the Commonwealth is a very useful association, it risks being rendered irrelevant if doesn’t reform itself and sharpen its focus.

“The Commonwealth is a unique organisation with a global footprint and with many countries wanting to join, but the problem the association faces now is not of hostility but indifference,” he said.

The EPG member added: “We have a healthy organisation, but which has not yet achieved its full potential. We admit that there will always be a place for quiet diplomacy, but there is also need for greater transparency about what the organisation does.”

Sir Malcolm said the EPG has made bold recommendations for consideration by Heads of Government, especially in respect of strengthening the association’s work in promoting the rule of law and for defending and promoting its fundamental values, as well as continuing to make the Commonwealth actively meaningful and relevant to young people.