Commonwealth Secretary-General launches Report to CHOGM:
19 September 2001
In his report to Commonwealth leaders, launched today, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon describes the growing gap between rich and poor as "the most powerful destabilising force and the greatest threat to democracy".In the report, entitled Continuity and Renewal in the New Millennium, the Secretary-General insists that inequality within and between countries must be reversed, and he reaffirms the Commonwealth's collective belief that "generous globalisation" should be the hallmark of the new century.
He says the Commonwealth must also demonstrate that it continues to offer "real and meaningful" benefits to its peoples and governments. "The challenge is a continuously evolving one, and it is fitting that the theme for CHOGM 2001 in Brisbane focuses on continuity and renewal."
Reinforcing the Fancourt Declaration on Globalisation and People-Centred Development, agreed by Heads of Government in South Africa in 1999, the report expresses grave concern that the benefits of globalisation are still not being shared equitably. The Commonwealth sees its business as addressing this "deep and fundamental structural flaw" in the world economy. "The Commonwealth carries this anti-poverty, pro-people and sovereign equality message to other international forums."
Empowering Commonwealth Citizens
The Commonwealth believes that the promotion of democracy and good governance is the key to improving people's lives. The Secretary-General's report notes that the rules prescribing democratic behaviour, outlined in the 1995 Millbrook Action Programme, are now so well known and respected that other international organisations are setting up similar structures.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) - the watchdog group of foreign ministers drawn from member governments - met several times in the two years covered by the report (1 July 1999 - 30 June 2001). Pakistan (in October 1999) and then Fiji Islands (in June 2000) were suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth after democratically elected governments were overthrown.
CMAG has also been engaged with The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Solomon Islands. Its ministers have also discussed developments in Zimbabwe.
The good offices of the Secretary-General have been used to help resolve internal problems in Antigua and Barbuda, Fiji Islands, Lesotho, Solomon Islands and Swaziland.
The Secretariat also supports the democratic process in many other ways, including sending observers to monitor elections and holding workshops on democracy.
Unity in Diversity
The deeply ingrained Commonwealth ethos of making room for diverse views and customs, combined with core shared values, gives the group of 54 countries and its associated organisations great strength in consensus-building.
"It has acted as a bridge-builder not only between rich and poor, but also between different interest groups and organisations, on major issues. And always, it has equality, justice and the interest of common people at heart," says Mr McKinnon.
In working for generous globalisation and the elimination of poverty, the Commonwealth has championed the cause of small states, as well as the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and debt reform. "How can our debt-burdened members genuinely compete in a world economy when such a large proportion of their available funds goes to repaying debt?" asks Mr McKinnon.
Development for a Better Life
Development work is central to the Commonwealth. It works towards alleviating poverty, tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic, eliminating the social and economic marginalisation of women and young people, providing greater access to education and employment, helping to bridge the digital divide, and providing members with greater access to the international trading system.
Growing poverty is compounded by the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS, Mr McKinnon reports. "Commonwealth citizens are dying. Few families in Sub-Saharan Africa can now say that a loved one has not died of AIDS. That is horrifying." He calls on richer countries to step up their commitments to fighting the epidemic, and urges all member countries to make their own policy changes to stem it - and to act on them.
He pays tribute to the Secretariat's development arm, the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation, whose relatively modest budget of about £21 million a year is employed to respond quickly, flexibly and cost-effectively to the needs of member countries. They request assistance in building skills and capacity, and in improving competitiveness. He describes the resources currently available to the fund as "scarcely adequate" to meet the varied needs of 54 countries. Review of the Association
The Secretary-General looks forward to the report of the High Level Group, the 10 Heads of Government who will present at Brisbane their views on the future role of the Commonwealth and how it can best meet the challenges of this century. "I am confident," says Mr McKinnon, "that our leaders will reaffirm their belief that the Commonwealth has a relevant and enlarging role to play, and their own commitment to promoting and supporting the association."
01/60 19 September 2001
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