Rayhan Ahmed Topader :
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) met in London from 16 to 20 April 2018. It came at a time when Britain, facing grave BREXIT uncertainties, shows renewed interest in the 53 Commonwealth states, almost all formerly part of the British Empire. While Britain re-negotiates terms with the EU, leading Brexit supporters have given prominence to the Commonwealth, comprising one third of the world’s population. Its states share many commonalities of values, judicial and regulatory systems and forms of parliamentary government. At a time when UNSC vetoes by permanent members often deadlock the main world body the Commonwealth, spread across continents, retains much potential for international peaceful development. Unlike the UN it can suspend members if they cross red lines on human rights, rule of law, freedom of press and similar violations. Suspension is not always achieved, but does occur and can be effective. There has long been wide recognition that if the Commonwealth is to realise its potential it needs reform and re-shaping Selina Mohsin. Prime Minister Modi’s presence has been noted as indicating a new Indian interest in the Commonwealth, both as by far the largest member and as presenting opportunities to meet Asian leaders without the presence of China. Yet there has long been wide recognition that if the Commonwealth is to realise its potential it needs reform and re-shaping. The 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia considered recommendations made by an Eminent Persons Group (EPG).
It had been commissioned to consider the challenge of reaching consensus from diversity and of making such consensus more effective in support of democracy and socio-economic growth. Unfortunately, the Summit CHOGM was unable to reach an agreement and when Britain, Australia and Canada requested the report be published this was opposed by India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Namibia. In all, the EPG made 106 recommendations to make the Commonwealth relevant and effective. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a member of EPG condemned the lack of consensus on the report. He saw the Commonwealth’s problem as more a problem of indifference than of hostility or antagonism. Its purpose and relevance was being questioned and its commitment to enforce the values for which it stands was becoming ambiguous in the eyes of many member states. The Commonwealth, he stated, was not a private club of the governments or its Secretariat. It belongs to the people of the Commonwealth. The 2018 CHOGM, most likely the last to be hosted by Queen Elizabeth, represented another effort for reform and reinvigoration. The main agend was- Discussions with the Heads of Government for consensus on important issues, Trade, LGBT Rights, Commonwealth Clear Ocean Alliance. Themes. Prosperity, boosting inter-Commonwealth Trade and Investment, Security, increasing cooperation across security challenges, global terrorism, organised crime and cyber attacks, Fairness: promoting good governance across the Commonwealth.
Sustainability: building the resilience of small and vulnerable states with the effects of climate change and other global crisis. At this first CHOGM following the BREXIT referendum the British government hoped to encourage greater intra Commonwealth trade and expand UK exports. 2016 was a year of seismic global developments, which will begin to take effect in the next 12 months. The UK voted to leave the European Union and the negotiations to begin this process are likely to be triggered in the Spring. Donald Trump won the US Election, while António Guterres was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations. Both will begin their mandates in January and will have huge influence over global affairs far beyond the Commonwealth. Below, we look at the events beyond the headlines that will shape the Commonwealth in 2017. Having hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2015, Malta will retain its role as Commonwealth Chair in Office until the UK takes over in 2018. In addition, as of this month Malta holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, essentially the upper House of the European Union’s legislature. The former role is more symbolic than the latter but having these Commonwealth and European positions will give Malta substantial opportunity to help set agendas in these groupings. A number of Malta’s stated European priorities including security, social inclusivity and maritime policy connect to Commonwealth initiatives such as the Countering Violent Extremism Unit authorised at CHOGM 2015, discussions on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and gender equality and an ongoing Commonwealth focus on small states, including more recently the value of the Blue Economy.
Malta’s potential role in connecting the European Union and the Commonwealth is even more important as the UK prepares for Brexit in the next few years. This year new architecture will be put in place to capitalise on the ‘Commonwealth trade advantage’ of lower bilateral costs for Commonwealth businesses. Commonwealth Trade Ministers will meet for the first time in March 2017 in London. Co-hosted by the UK and Maltese governments and organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the Ministers Meeting will help identify areas where the Commonwealth can work together to strengthen trade and investment links between member countries and develop a policy agenda ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In addition to this new initiative, regular meetings of Ministers of Health, Finance, Law, Youth and Foreign Affairs will take place in 2017. The Commonwealth Forestry Conference in India in April and the Commonwealth Local Government Conference held in Malta in November are some of the other key Commonwealth events happening this year. National elections are always significant in a network that prides itself on recognising, ‘the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes. This year Kenya, Rwanda and Papua New Guinea will all hold national elections. The Commonwealth has played a role in sending Election Observer Groups and Missions to a range of Commonwealth countries to ensure elections meet international standards.The Commonwealth could well send similar delegations to these elections. Though outside the Commonwealth, Gambia’s election in 2016 could have ramifications for the Commonwealth in the year ahead.
In November, opposition leader Adam Barrow shocked the world by defeating Gambia’s sitting President for the previous 22 years, Yahya Jammeh. Barrow had stated that he would return the country to the Commonwealth, following Jammeh’s withdrawal in 2013 as well as other organisations that the incumbent had distanced Gambia from. However, after originally accepting the results, President Jammeh is now refusing to concede power to Barrow and the army is backing him. Several regional leaders are trying to mediate but time will tell whether Jammeh can be persuaded to respect the democratic process, which could allow a new relationship between the Commonwealth and Gambia to flourish. Yet sceptics point out that the Commonwealth is responsible only for one-tenth of British trade, compared to half of its trade with the EU. The Economist dismissed this amiable delusion and The Guardian’ stated Sorry Brexitiers, banking on the Commonwealth (to replace the EU) is a joke. Nonetheless some progress seems likely, including UK-India bi-lateral trade and investment. British trade with Canada, Australia and New Zealand is already mostly free (except for UK’s agriculture). African, Caribbean and Pacific member states have tariff free trade with the UK as developing countries. The Queen’s ‘Commonwealth Canopy Project’ aims to establish a network of protected forests. Prince William and his wife opened a huge forest area in Western Canada and other ones have opened in other countries. It has been decided that Prince Charles will eventually succeed the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. This will provide continuity in an organisation tied by a common past and the English language.
A clear understanding has taken place on ‘Clean Ocean Alliance’, where UK will spend GBP 61 million to combat pollution of the world’s oceans riddled with plastics. Five countries have joined in this decision. They are UK, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Ghana. Parallel Forums were held where members of the Royal Family joined in. The Commonwealth has a large number of useful Forums such as People’s Forum, Business Forum; Youth Forum, Women’s Forum; Journalists Forum and many others. But the Commonwealth Games attract the most attention around the world. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh set out a series of reform suggestions to be pursued by an Eminent Persons Group and praised annual progress reports by the Secretariat.
The final communiqué expressed full solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh affected by the influx of more than a million Rohingyas from Rakhine State in Myanmar’, commended Bangladesh for offering shelter and called for accountability, a halt to violence and restoration of normality. The 2018 CHOGM focussed on people, trade, connectivity, human rights, freedom and good governance including those values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. The other important elements included agreement that Prince Charles should succeed the Queen and the appointment of Prince Harry as Ambassador for Youth Development. The Commonwealth will re admit Zimbabwe, thereby expanding to comprise 2.4 billion people. The final results of the CHOGM:
CHOGM Communique Towards a Common Future, Declaration on the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment, Statements from the Commonwealth Heads of Government to follow the resolutions arrived at the CHOGM.
The current CHOGM began at Buckingham Palace amidst vibrancy and colour and ended positively with music at Windsor Castle. Let us hope many of the issues will be implemented by member states for the good of the people, especially the Commonwealth’s many millions of young people with rising aspirations but needing better education, training, health services and jobs. Commonwealth Blue Charter (Ocean pollution); Revised Commonwealth Guidelines for the conduct of Election Observation in Member Countries.
