Chorus for care at CHOGM 2013

Saturday, 16 November 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The historic Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 kicked off yesterday in Colombo with a chorus from all key speakers on the need for the 53-nation grouping to be caring of its members and its people. Prince Charles, representing the Head of the Commonwealth Queen Elizabeth, spoke of bringing healing “to our troubles and deliver the very best future for our people,” whilst host and Commonwealth Chair-in-Office President Mahinda Rajapaksa asked leaders “shouldn’t we be addressing more vigorously the issue of ‘common poverty’ before we talk about ‘common wealth’?” Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma in his speech emphasised: “In these times of flux and rapid alteration, a shared vision of our collective striving and resolve are needed more than ever.” Outgoing Chair of the Commonwealth Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott noted half of the world’s one billion hungry live in Commonwealth nations and “they are our people and they deserve better”. These emphatic statements as well the way forward for the Commonwealth were the highlights of the colourful and ceremonial opening at the Nelum Pokuna. Held for the first time in almost a quarter of a century in Asia and Sri Lanka’s first, CHOGM 2013 drew participation from 53 countries which account for two billion people. There were 24 heads of state in person whilst the rest were represented by others. Following the opening, the Commonwealth leaders moved on to CHOGM executive sessions at the BMICH and will be engaged in a retreat session today and tomorrow leading up to a communiqué on the outcomes of their deliberations. President Rajapaksa spoke for the entire nation when he told the opening that hosting CHOGM “is a historic occasion for Sri Lanka” and also a privilege for Asia as CHOGM returns to this region after 24 years. “As one of the eight founding members of the modern Commonwealth, Sri Lanka is deeply honoured to host this event,” he added. Having briefly touched on Sri Lanka’s own challenges in the recent past and successes, President Rajapaksa who will chair the Commonwealth for the next two years focused on the issues of the grouping. “We, in the Commonwealth, need to ask ourselves, a few questions. First, can we realistically say that the need for basic facilities, healthcare, education, productive employment, access to food and safe drinking water, eradication of poverty and hunger, are of lesser importance than political concerns? Second, should not the Commonwealth collectively strive towards the realisation of development goals, to enable its member countries to reap economic benefits? Third, shouldn’t we be addressing more vigorously the issue of ‘common poverty’ before we talk about ‘common wealth’?” President Rajapaksa asked. “As a matter of priority, we, in the Commonwealth, should focus on development challenges confronting the majority of our member nations. I see a compelling need for those who guide the destiny of the Commonwealth to give serious thought to practical modalities, focusing on social and economic issues. This will greatly enhance the relevance and value of the Commonwealth,” the President added. He also said if the Commonwealth is to remain relevant to its member countries, the association must respond sensitively, to the needs of its peoples and not let it turn into a punitive or judgmental body. “We must also collectively guard against bilateral agendas being introduced into the organisation, distorting Commonwealth traditions and consensus. The strength of the organisation lies in keeping the member countries together, helping one another in a spirit of partnership, making the Commonwealth truly unique,” Rajapaksa pointed out. “Our deliberations in Colombo must lead to the greatest practical benefits for the peoples of a renewed Commonwealth, one that is engaging, collaborative and unifying, rather than prescriptive and divisive,” the President said, before concluding with a message from Dhammapada which read ‘Let not one take notice of faults of others or what they have done or not done. Let one be concerned only about what one has done and left undone.’ Prince Charles said he and his wife were very glad indeed to be joining CHOGM in Colombo. “I am especially pleased to be back among the people of Sri Lanka who, in recent years, have confronted great adversity,” he added, referring to his previous visit in 2005 soon after the devastating tsunami. With regard to the way forward for the 64-year-old modern Commonwealth, Prince Charles said: “More than 60 years later, we should not need to be reminded of the many troubles that beset our world, some of them previously little understood, nor should we underestimate the importance and responsibility of the Commonwealth’s role in addressing them.” “Each one of us is here because of the hope and the trust we place in the Commonwealth to bring that ‘touch of healing’ to our troubles and deliver the very best future for our people,” the Prince of Wales added. Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said: “It is very good to see CHOGM back in Asia, home to three-quarters of the people of the Commonwealth. The first-ever CHOGM took place in Singapore in 1971, but it is almost a quarter of a century since a CHOGM was last held in the Asia region: that was in Kuala Lumpur in 1989.” “We thank the Government and people of Sri Lanka for the generosity, enthusiasm and warmth of their welcome. As one of the eight original members of the modern Commonwealth, Sri Lanka has shown enduring energy and commitment as a member of our global Commonwealth family. That involvement now intensifies as the Commonwealth entrusts to Sri Lanka the leadership role and responsibility of serving as Chair-in-Office,’ the Secretary General said. Focusing on the present, Sharma said: “In these times of flux and rapid alteration, a shared vision of our collective striving and resolve are needed more than ever. That is the role of all CHOGMs – to bring us closer as a family and to move us forward together. We turn to our heads gathered here to lead us forward in that spirit and purpose. We are the world’s North, South, East and West. And we illustrate to the wider world that the Commonwealth closes the distance between them.” Current chair of the Commonwealth Australian Premier Tony Abbott began his speech with some telling numbers. “The Commonwealth spans 53 countries with 30% of the world’s population, 20% of the world’s land mass, but just 15% of the world’s GDP, and it’s our job to improve that.” “Half of the world’s one billion hungry live in Commonwealth nations. They are our people and they deserve better,” he added. Addressing host Sri Lanka in a sincere and heart-felt manner, Abbott said Sri Lanka has emerged from many troubles. “But with peace has come more freedom and more prosperity. So we are here to praise as much as to judge.” He also said there are examples in the Commonwealth; in South Africa there is an island for instance where intractable problems have finally responded to the better angles of their nature. “Sri Lanka’s willingness to host this Commonwealth shows its commitment to democratic pluralism and freedom based on law in order to reassure all its citizens that justice today is better than yesterday. Tomorrow will be better than today,” the Australian Prime Minister added. Noting that the Commonwealth can make a difference in many corners of the world Abbott said: “For example, encouragement and instinct to find common ground wherever possible based on shared values. May these days of discussion foster all our best instincts.”