Commitment to respect, protect and promote core values of Commonwealth Charter

Compiled by Manjula Fernando

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which took place under the theme ‘Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development’ in Colombo from 15 to 17 November 2013 concluded with leaders agreeing on an agenda to prioritise woes of small and developing states among a host of other issues of climate change, international trade, human rights and terrorism.

This agreement will shape the path of the Commonwealth in the next two years under the stewardship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who assumed its Chair on November 15.

The Heads of Governmentalso agreed on how the Commonwealth could provide support and leadership in the formulation of post 2015 world development framework.

Of the 50 countries that attended the Colombo Meeting, 27 were represented by their Heads of State or Government, the Commonwealth Secretariat announced.

Highlights of the final communiqué issued at the concluding Press conference on Sunday, November 17.

At the outset the Heads of Government welcomed the adoption of the historic Commonwealth Charter in December 2012 reiterating commitment to respect,protect and promote the core values in the charter. The Commonwealth Heads reflected on the comparative strengths and circumstances of the Commonwealth and how its relevance to member states could be further enhanced.

They considered, in particular, how the Commonwealth could provide leadership, guidance and practical support for the UN's post – 2015 development framework.

They committed to work constructively to help deliver an ambitious and balanced global agreement in 2015 and agreed to constitute an open – ended High - Level Working Group of Heads for this purpose.

Recognised that climate change continues to be a major challenge for all countries, particularly for climate vulnerable developing countries, posing a grave threat to some, the Heads of Government welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance.

* Recognised the importance attached to both the operationalisation and the capitalisation of the Green Climate Fund.

Help build national capacities for improved access to and use of climate financing. (Australia and Canada had reservations about the language of paragraphs 18,m19, 20 and 21 and indicated that they could not support a Green Capital Fund at this time.)

Sustainable Land Management

*Welcomed further discussion on the consideration on desertification, land degradation and drought in the post - 2015 development agenda.

*?Also recognised the importance of multilateral cooperation, sustainedcommitment and collective action, in particular, by the prevention of illicit dumping of toxic and hazardous waste.

*Reaffirmed the importance of integrated approaches to ocean governance, in accordance with international law, including the protection, promotion and development of marine natural resources and all marine sectors.

Heads of Government looked forward to the forthcoming meeting being convened by Botswana on elephants, and to a successful outcome from the London High Level Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in February 2014.

*Noted that efforts to develop sustainable financing have fallen short of expectations and called on Commonwealth Governments and the Secretariat to intensify efforts to find a long - term solution, including through potential collaboration with non - Commonwealth countries as well as international organisations and private foundations

International Trade and Investment

*Adopted the Kotte Statement on International Trade and Investment.

*?Welcomed progress being made in strengthening relations between the G20 and Commonwealth members, including the establishment of the Annual Commonwealth Dialogue and regular G20 outreach with the Commonwealth.

*Requested Commonwealth Finance Ministers to develop proposals for adoption at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in 2014 which can further deepen the Commonwealth's engagement with the G20.

Political Values - Democracy

Heads of Government affirmed their conviction that it is the role not only of governments but also of political parties and civil society to promote and uphold democratic culture and practices.

They recognised the role which local government in particular can play in enhancing the exercise of democratic governance and in the defining and delivery of essential services as well as in promoting economic development

Rule of Law

Heads of government reaffirmed their belief in the rule of law as an essential element for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth and as an assurance of accountable government

Human Rights

They urged members to accelerate efforts towards the ratification of all major international human rights instruments to strengthen the implementation of rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and to support the establishment and strengthening of National Human Rights Institutions

Freedom of expression

*Recognised the media's role in fostering dialogue among citizens as key to strengthening democracy, social harmony and inclusion.

*Requested the Commonwealth Secretary General to review the Commonwealth Media Development Fund in order to examine how it can be renewed in its purpose to build the capacity of a free and responsible media.

Corruption

*Supported Commonwealth action on corruption, in particular the cooperation of member states in identifying, tracing, freezing and returning illegally acquired funds and assets to their countries of origin, in accordance with the UN Convention on Corruption.

Terrorism Financing

*Expressed their commitment to fight money laundering and financing for terrorism, and encouraged all countries to tackle the risks raised by the opacity of legal persons and arrangements.

CMAG

Recalled the importance they attached to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) as the custodian of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values.

Heads of Government agreed that the following countries will serve on CMAG for the next two years: Cyprus, Guyana, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka (ex-officio as Chair in Office) and Tanzania.

Small States

*Welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States, held in Colombo on 12 November 2013. They noted with concern that small States, including Small Island Developing States, were disproportionately impacted by the global economic crisis and have been slow to recover. Some Small States are now struggling to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

*Welcomed Malta's offer to establish a Small States Centre of Excellence that will impart targeted capacity building programmes and interventions in the areas of both democracy and development.

Small States Debt

*Welcomed the report of the Commonwealth High-Level Mission on the debt and financing challenges of Small States. International community to address these debt and financing challenges through innovative solutions such as debt reduction and debt alleviation interventions.

*Called on the international community to work towards practical, tangible outcomes from the 2014 Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Samoa

*Noted with satisfaction that the Commonwealth Secretariat's new Strategic Plan included continued advocacy with the international financial institutions to address small states” challenges and to identify creative solutions.

Global Threats and Challenges-Terrorism

*Reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever, and for whatever purposes. They emphasised the need for continued solidarity and strengthened resolve to counter terrorism both within and between countries and recognised that new vigour needs to be injected in the negotiations to agree a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

*Reaffirmed the importance of addressing the increasing threat of cyber-crime.

Small Arms and Light Weapons Trade

*Underscored the grave impact of small arms and light weapons proliferation, and the use of conventional arms by terrorists, including in Africa, and the need to curb such proliferation of illicit trade as a matter of priority.

*Called for the full and effective implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms. Acknowledged adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in April 2013, aimed at regulating international trade in conventional arms and its opening for signature in June 2013.

*They noted the 24 September 2013 UK-sponsored Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict.

Fiji

*Identified promulgation of the new Constitution of Fiji as a step towards the restoration of democracy and the holding of national elections in 2014.

Requested the Secretary - General and CMAG to remain engaged with a view to restoring full adherence to Commonwealth values.

Cyprus

*Agreed to support the efforts for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem Heads called for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Cyprus.