CHOGM Malta 2015
Commonwealth - Adding Global Value is the theme for CHOGM Malta 2015, to be held 25-27 November.
Adding Global Value is about using the Commonwealth’s strengths in international politics to influence and eventually effect change on important global issues. It is also about making a positive difference to the lives of Commonwealth citizens. Adding Global Value seeks to unify the Commonwealth behind an ambitious policy agenda that bequeaths to our young a life of liberty, dignity and prosperity. Besides, considering its geographical extent around the globe, actions and initiatives taken at Commonwealth level will undoubtedly add to global values.
Background
Commonwealth countries are already pro-active on the international stage. As one example Commonwealth countries, who represent one fourth of the countries of the UN, provide 47 percent of UN peacekeepers (Early 2015 figures). The Commonwealth can therefore bring together a community of countries with the energy and drive to develop fair, resilient and universally acceptable solutions to global problems.
The Commonwealth is well represented in most global institutions. It makes up a quarter of the membership in the United Nations; at the moment has three Members on the UN Security Council (Malaysia, New Zealand, UK); has a strong representation in the Caribbean Community; has three Members in the European Union (Cyprus, Malta, UK); has two Members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Malaysia, Singapore) and four countries represented in the G20 (Australia, Canada, India, UK). The Commonwealth is therefore well placed to influence the policy agenda of some of the most influential institutions in global politics.
The Commonwealth is recognised as a leader in developing education programmes around the world. It also provides legal and operational support to Member States on a myriad of issues ranging from International Maritime Law to Election Observance.
Adding Global Value is about encouraging Commonwealth governments and civil society to think about what unities the Commonwealth and what it can achieve together. Malta is asking fellow Commonwealth Members to consider which important issues have been missed by other global institutions, and to use the Commonwealth to provide leadership in those areas. This involves taking advantage of the inherent strengths of the Commonwealth and developing strategies that will make a substantive and demonstratable difference to the lives of people around the world.
For more information, please visit the dedicated website.