Transcript of speeches by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago and the President of Rwanda

Eduardo del Buey (Director of Communications, Commonwealth Secretariat): Welcome to Marlborough House on this very auspicious day: Commonwealth Day, International Women’s Day, and the day we have the honour and pleasure of raising the Rwandan flag at Marlborough House – the newest member of the Commonwealth. As I said before, when the dignitaries have spoken, the President will present Master Shakil Libera[?] who is a young Rwandan man, who will carry the flag out to the flagpole over here, and he will give it to the staff who will raise the flag. We ask that you go out immediately, if you are going to go outside, before the leaders go, and we would like very much to welcome you here today for this presentation.

The first speaker this morning will be the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma.

Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma: Mr President, Mr Prime Minister and Chairperson in Office, distinguished ministers, High Commissioners and Governors, ladies and gentlemen, on this happy day, the Commonwealth Day, indeed, this International Women’s Day, as I just said, we celebrate the newest member of the Commonwealth, the Republic of Rwanda. At the birth of the modern Commonwealth in 1949, we numbered eight. In 1979, on our 30^th anniversary, we numbered 40. And then, in November 2009, when Commonwealth heads of government met at the close of our 60th anniversary year, we became 54 with the admission of Rwanda. An increase in size is not of course the only indicator of good health. But what better sign than that an association grows in number, and indeed, that others still show interest in joining it?

I hope that this is testimony to the strength of that four‑fold Commonwealth of which I so often talk: the Commonwealth of values; the Commonwealth of its times, responding to the challenges of today and tomorrow, and to the needs of its members; the Commonwealth of the vulnerable, tending to its poorest, its weakest, its smallest, its most marginalised; and the Commonwealth of partnership, sharing its wisdom and looking out on the world. Just as the modern Commonwealth has come so far in its 60 years, Rwanda has come so far as well. As I said to the Rwandan parliament in Kigali just six weeks ago, the so-called land of a thousand hills has climbed and climbed hill after hill: the vista has become ever finer and wider, even if there is further to go. The Commonwealth decision to welcome Rwanda was a collective act of goodwill and of affirmation, and a willingness to engage on the values the Commonwealth embraces. It was a recognition of the hills, Mr President, which your country has climbed, and a commitment to climb further with you.

We have witnessed the adoption of a constitution based on power sharing and consensus, we have seen a belief in inclusiveness, we have seen the economic growth that comes with stability and openness, and we have seen too the areas in which we can work with you, in deepening a culture of pluralism, in strengthening the institutions with democracy, and the trust of the people, and in supporting development and growth. It is central to the Commonwealth that we recognise that we are journeying: that is why the Commonwealth pledges itself towards journeying with its members on the rugged, winding, uphill parts towards the goals of democracy, development and diversity for which we aim.

The Commonwealth, as I said in Kigali, cannot offer Rwanda the world, but it can offer it the best of its own, and of the world’s thinking, together with its expertise and its networks. Rwanda can have many friends and partners. Yes, the Commonwealth can benefit Rwanda, but so too of course can Rwanda benefit the Commonwealth. In particular, we look to you to share with us the ways in which you have so painstakingly, so successfully acknowledged and responded to some of the divisions in your own society, because in Rwanda, in Africa, across the Commonwealth and across the world, we are called to live together. Our fortunes are deeply intertwined; our collective humanity demands nothing less than that we be enlightened globalists in a globalised world. To President Kagame and to all the citizens of Rwanda – men and women, boys and girls – we warmly welcome you into our Commonwealth. Welcome, thank you and a particular welcome here to Senator Hazel Manning who has also joined us, and to Madame Kagame as well.

Prime Minister Manning: Thank you very much, Mr Chairman, His Excellency Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, and His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth. Your Excellencies, very distinguished Foreign Ministers, High Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure in my capacity as Chair in Office and on behalf of fellow Commonwealth leaders to extend a very warm welcome to His Excellency Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and to convey sincere congratulations his country on its admittance as the 54^th member of Commonwealth of Nations.

Today’s historic ceremony, the raising of the flag of Rwanda here on the grounds of Marlborough House, has indeed now consummated the acceptance by the Commonwealth of Rwanda as one amongst a family of equals. Rwanda’s determination to pursue membership of this organisation underscores the continued relevance of the Commonwealth and should give pause to the detractors of this association. Accordingly, as Rwanda celebrates its first Commonwealth Day, I take the opportunity to congratulate the nation and its people on the significant political, economic and social progress attained over the last few years. The important strides made by Rwanda, particularly in the core area of good governance, highlights the reality that each of our nations – developing and developed – bring special qualities and capacities to this diverse institution which should be explored to the fullest.

The observance of Commonwealth Day has always provided member countries with an occasion for reflection and a renewed energy towards the reaffirmation of our shared ideals, values and principles. This year’s Commonwealth Day theme, ‘Science, Technology and Society,’ affords the opportunity to focus on our collective responsibility to ensure that the application of scientific and technological advancement is always for the wider public good. Science, research and innovation are important contributors to economic development, increased competitiveness and sustainable growth. As a Commonwealth family we must continue to strengthen our support network of countries and organisations to bridge that technological gap, build the resilience of all states, develop appropriate infrastructure, create an enabling environment and provide appropriate incentives in order to enhance the quality of life of all people.

Given the importance of science and technology as key drivers of economic transformation, Trinidad and Tobago will be very supportive of activities undertaken by the Commonwealth, aim at the creation of sustainable research and developmental institutions, the forging of strong partnerships and linkages with the public and privates sectors, strengthen human resource training and development and a robust coordinated framework of innovation systems. This will be in consonance with the philosophy and approach envisaged by Trinidad and Tobago when the theme for CHOGM 2009, ‘Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future,’ was conceptualised. It would also be in keeping with the declaration of this theme which was adopted at that meeting in Port of Spain, which Trinidad and Tobago had the honour to host.

As Chair, I am keen on ensuring the implementation of the mandates of this declaration, particularly the establishment of the Commonwealth Partnership Platform Portal, from which the various stakeholders should derive concrete benefits. Ladies and gentlemen, at the meeting in Port of Spain in November 2009, we were very focused and productive, as is reflected in the various outcome documents of the CHOGM theme. The priority issues of climate change, youth, Commonwealth values and principles, non-Commonwealth diseases, and the important issues on the international agenda, which are addressed in the communiqué. As Chair in Office, my dear friends, I wish to ensure that we will continue to pursue these principles over the next two years, to raise the profile of the Commonwealth in international fora, and otherwise to ensure that the principles that bring us together as a Commonwealth family are principles that are very evident in the way we conduct our business and the business of the Commonwealth.

I am very pleased to be associated with this ceremony this morning, where the country Rwanda is admitted as our 54^th nation in the family of nations that form the Commonwealth. I would like to especially congratulate President Kagame on his accession to the family of leaders of Commonwealth countries. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the very distinguished Secretary-General. I almost said ‘newly minted’: I think it was his first CHOGM, so congratulations to him. Under the Commonwealth Secretariat were what I thought were very excellent arrangements for the successful conduct of our summit in Port of Spain, and I look forward to a continued association with and a growth of the Commonwealth from strength to strength. Thank you very much.

President Kagame: The Right Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I stand here as our country Rwanda is received into this great Commonwealth of Nations. For us, joining the Commonwealth is an important milestone in our development journey. It means that we enter a unique and diverse family, with whom similar values and aspirations are shared, and which provides a wide range of opportunities for mutual collaboration and advancement. Our vision for Rwanda is of a country open to these opportunities, which will better the lives of our people, and drive forward our nation’s social and economic transformation.

Sixteen years ago, Rwanda was devastated by genocide, but today we are working to restore our dignity and self-respect, and we continue to do that. With resilience and courage, the people of Rwanda have made notable progress. Stability, security, and the rule of law are now the norm. For five years, our economy has grown at an average of 8%, and this has placed Rwanda as the top global performer in doing business, according to the Word Bank. Home-grown solutions have helped in resolving a number of challenges facing our country. For example, the issue of justice and reconciliation has been addressed through the uniquely Rwandan process of Gacaca courts. Decentralisation and the empowerment of women in the areas of governance and economic development have seen Rwandans participate more meaningfully in decision making.

It is evident that the people of our country are our greatest asset, and therefore their health and education are paramount. Regarding health, malaria deaths have been cut by 60%, and in the education sector, 3,000 classrooms were built in the last year alone, marking a critical step to providing universal, nine-year basic education. Even with our ambitious development vision, we are acutely aware of the challenges before us in dealing with our particular circumstances. We draw from solutions embedded in our culture, but also maximise on the lessons that can be learned from others. It is our hope that in collaboration with the rest of the Commonwealth family, Rwanda’s efforts in the areas of good governance, private-sector investment and development, democracy, freedoms, and rights, and regional integration, will all be greatly strengthened. I am also certain that Rwanda can and will endeavour to contribute as much to the Commonwealth as we benefit from it. Prime Minister Manning, thank you once again for your gracious welcome, and Secretary-General, my country looks forward to playing a full and productive role within the Commonwealth. Thank you very much.