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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Success of Earth Summit hinges on strong political commitment

2 September 2002

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today emphasised the need for strong political commitments and clear, time-bound targets in order to ensure the success of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

"The poorest people in the Commonwealth and the rest of the world know very little about the details of this Summit—many of them probably don't even know it is taking place. What they know is that their lives will only be improved by decisive action. This is why governments, civil society and the business sector have a responsibility to live up to the commitments made at the Summit."

Mr McKinnon stressed the need for a radical change in the way world resources are managed and distributed: "The current trade rules—which all too often cut workers in developing countries out of world markets—are not sustainable. The ever widening chasm between the rich and the poor is not sustainable. The insufficient levels of aid and debt relief for Highly Indebted Poor Countries are not sustainable. The loss of environmental resources and the over-consumption which feeds the lifestyles of the rich are not sustainable.

"We are heading for a dead-end. This Summit must be seen as our best chance to change course before we hit a brick wall," he added.

Since the mid-1980s, the Commonwealth has been at the forefront of the initiative to reduce the debt of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) and continues to maintain pressure on and work with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to provide even greater debt relief to these countries. The Commonwealth also helps its member states adapt to the global trading system. It provides experts who assist in the process of trade negotiations and policy formulation, helps in the search for export outlets and provides training to trade officials.

Mr McKinnon also drew attention to the Iwokrama International Rainforest Programme, a partnership project between the Government of Guyana, where the one million acre reserve is located, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. "This unique and ambitious venture demonstrates how tropical rain forest ecosystems can be managed sustainably while making a substantial contribution to the life of local communities. I hope that the Johannesburg Summit will provide the impetus for more initiatives of this kind," concluded Mr McKinnon.

Note to Editors:

The Commonwealth Secretary-General will be attending the Summit on 1 and 2 September 2002. For further information please contact Michèle Law on + 44 771 171 0047 or the Communications and Public Affairs Division on + 44 20 7747 6385.
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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int