Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma has said that the meetings of Heads of State and Governments of the body will enhance global resilience.
He also noted that the collective decisions by Commonwealth leaders at their summit? in Perth, Australia would give the association a boost and breathe of fresh life as well as bring new energy to the world body’s agenda of reform, renewal and resilience.
Mr.? Sharma told the media at a news conference in Perth, yesterday, that the Commonwealth collaborated on multiple levels, culminating in building a consensus on contemporary concerns.
He stated that the 54-member association was charting a significant way forward on the issue of building national and global resilience, which is the theme of the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth.
The Commonwealth Chief also stressed that national and global resilience were intertwined and interdependent.
“The aim is to build consensus on contemporary concerns, strive to strengthen the culture of democracy, promote resilience and sustainable development, and embrace and celebrate diversity,” said the Secretary-General.
“This will make a difference in the lives of our citizens. This CHOGM will raise the bar for our engagement on each of our three aspirations – democracy, development and diversity. The programmes we devise here will see their expression in practical action that changes for the better the lives of millions of people in all our member countries.
“The consensus agreed here and the solutions achieved here are something which will have global potential, which can contribute to the outcomes of other global summits. Commonwealth priorities naturally pay special attention to reflecting and articulating the concerns of small and vulnerable states.”
Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who also addressed the joint news conference, said that the Commonwealth was about bringing people together, not just government and leaders.
“Our unique strengths and diversity – from the smallest nations to the very large and its representativeness with 54 states across six continents; its vibrancy and promise – are bonded by common values,” said the Prime Minister. “Organisations such as the Commonwealth bring countries together to discuss issues such as food security, climate change and sustainable development.”
Meanwhile, Mr Sharma had on Wednesday called for a landmark Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, from 28 to 30 October in respect of its emphasis on reform, renewal and resilience.