Commonwealth potential greater than ever, says Secretary-General

Speaking today at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Abuja, Nigeria, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: "To bring sustainable peace and security to our peoples, we must address the imbalances of wealth and power and ensure that more people are part of more decisions."

Mr McKinnon argued that unilateral decisions drive the 'haves' further away from the 'have-nots', creating "more resentment and envy, more distrust and, ultimately, more violence."

"While terrorism has no justification and must be fought with all the means at our disposal, the war on terror cannot be won through military force alone. It means we have to redouble our efforts, building bridges between communities and ensuring that every country's voice has a chance of being heard on the international stage.

"This is where we, in the Commonwealth - with our long tradition of building consensus, of providing a platform for joint decision-making, where all members are listened to - can make a difference. Our potential for generating change and progress for Commonwealth citizens is greater than it has ever been."

In particular, Mr McKinnon argued that the Commonwealth could play a key role in the area of trade, suggesting that a consensus on global trade reached in Abuja "would carry a great deal of weight and could assist in building a broader agreement in the World Trade Organisation."

Focusing on the theme of the meeting, 'Development and Democracy: Partnership for Peace and Prosperity', Mr McKinnon said: "It is no secret that there is a close connection between democracy and development. The two are inseparable. They are the twin engines of progress - and no one can afford to fly on a single engine for long."

Concluding his address, the Secretary-General said: "the success of this summit will lie, not in the words it generates, but in the impact it will have on people's lives. That is our mission in the Commonwealth. That is my objective as Secretary-General. And that is how we measure our success."