It gives recognition to the Commonwealth’s determination to connect people, institutions and governments through education, concern for the environment, economic and trade cooperation, sport, the promotion of peace and good governance, and outreach to youth, women and marginalised communities.
Over the course of 70 distinguished years, the Commonwealth has transitioned from the old into the new with its unwavering focus on sustainability and inclusion for all within the Commonwealth fold. Despite the complexity and gravity of the challenges encountered in today’s global landscape, from mushrooming security threats and conflict to evolving health risks to extreme weather events and climate impacts to continued abuses on the rights of women, children, minorities, the differently abled and other marginalised groups, the Commonwealth remains firmly planted in the foundation of the Commonwealth Charter and dedicated to fostering meaningful development for the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion citizens across some 53 Member States.
2018 was a year of exceptional global challenges and opportunities, marked by action on the part of the international community to substantively address climate change, environmental degradation, socioeconomic exclusion and migration, with a view to creating a roadmap for achieving sustainable development at the global level. It was in that spirit of cooperation, partnership and common purpose that Commonwealth Heads of Government converged in London and Windsor in April 2018 under the theme “Towards a Common Future”, in order to bring to bear years of accumulated Commonwealth knowledge and experience, as well as strategic influence, on the outcome of global conversations taking place in other international fora that directly impact the standard of living and quality of life of the peoples of the Commonwealth, the majority of whom live in impoverished conditions in developing countries. Read full article
