Youths attending a previous Commonwealth Ministries meeting

The Commonwealth Secretariat has today convened the 9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (9CYMM) at the Munyonyo Country Resort in Kampala, Uganda which runs from 31st July – 4th August 2017.

The theme of the meeting is Resourcing and Financing Youth Development: Empowering Young People.

Hosted by the Government of Uganda, the meeting will bring together Youth Ministers, senior officials, representative youth leaders, youth workers and other youth sector stakeholders from across the Commonwealth.

CYMMs provide a rare opportunity for Youth Ministers to debate emerging youth development issues; share good practice and identify collaborative opportunities; take stock of current policy and programming; identify and agree pragmatic actions to strengthen youth development; and agree on strategic actions to address the issues and challenges facing young people; and in so doing seize the opportunities in the Commonwealth in relation to the theme.

The high-level summit, held every four years, comes as the world’s youth population reaches a record 1.8 billion people aged 15 to 29. Today the youth sector stands at a crossroads, with pressure on governments to do more for their young citizens with fewer resources, and growing aspirations by young people to contribute to their societies.

The meeting will enable government ministers and senior officials to share good practices, debate emerging issues, take stock of pioneering Commonwealth initiatives and forge new partnerships for resourcing youth development. Ministers will engage directly with young leaders and youth sector stakeholders to ensure multiple perspectives are included in decision making.

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A Commonwealth ministerial mission is due to arrive in the Maldives capital, Malé, on 17 February to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power last week in the South Asian state.

The group will be led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad & Tobago, the Hon Surujrattan Rambachan. He will be accompanied by Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and Mr Dennis Richardson AO, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) decided to send the mission as soon as possible when it met by teleconference on 12 February.

Announcing the mission, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who convened the extraordinary teleconference, said: “This is an important ministerial mission, that is to be seen as part of the Commonwealth‘s continuing engagement with Maldives. It should also be viewed in the context of the Commonwealth‘s abiding commitment to its fundamental political values.”

The delegation will hold discussions with key interlocutors on circumstances surrounding the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed on 7 February 2012. Before it commences its work, it will be briefed by the Commonwealth Secretariat team that has been in the country since 6 February.

The CMAG statement issued after the 12 February teleconference stressed the importance of adherence by member countries to the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, including constitutional democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights; and in particular, the principle of separation of powers.

The CMAG ministerial mission will be supported by a Commonwealth Secretariat team led by Amitav Banerji, Director of Political Affairs.

CMAG will convene again in extraordinary session next week, to receive and consider the findings of the ministerial mission.

Note to Editors:

 CMAG comprises foreign ministers from nine Commonwealth countries and is tasked with dealing with serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values and principles. The members are Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Jamaica, Maldives, Sierra Leone, United Republic of Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago and Vanuatu.

 The Group was given an enhanced mandate at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, in October 2011.

 For media enquiries, please contact Victoria Holdsworth (in Malé) on +44 789 459 3520 or on v.holdsworth@commonwealth.int. In London, please contact Manoah Esipisu on +44 789 446 2021 or m.esipisu@commonwealth.int

Cathy Price 
Administrative Assistant
Communications & Public Affairs Division

Commonwealth Secretariat • Marlborough House • Pall Mall • London SW1Y 5HX • United Kingdom
Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7747 6386    • Fax: Direct  +44 (0) 20 7004 3771  General: +44 (0) 20 7839 9081 • www.thecommonwealth.org

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As world leaders meet in Busan, South Korea, this week, for the Fourth High Level forum on Aid Effectiveness, the Commonwealth is calling on participants at the international gathering to ensure that the outcomes help drive more effective development.

“This summit represents a milestone for international development and is a defining moment in the provision and use of global aid in a manner that will revise and set standards for aid and development finance policy for the future, said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith.

Mr Smith, who is currently in Busan, said that that while progress has been achieved in strengthening aid effectiveness in recent years – a step that has contributed to better development results — it is generally agreed that while aid recipient countries have generally progressed quite well in the last five years, the donor community has moved far less swiftly.

“It is important that this Busan forum addresses this imbalance, and comes out with clear guidelines for improving transparency and mutual accountability between the donor and recipient community,” Mr Smith added.

He added: “If Busan is to be successful it will need to set out a framework which responds to the needs of the day and to the contemporary challenges which the global community faces.”

The Deputy Secretary-General explained that Commonwealth Heads of Government as well as finance ministers have, at their recent meetings in Perth, Australia and Washington DC, respectively, highlighted a number of key areas where further reform in managing aid is needed and made a number of recommendations which should be considered at Busan.

“They called on the international community to strengthen mutual accountability backed by transparency and noted that success at Busan will involve concrete commitments on these two elements,” he said.

On her part, Ms Samantha Attridge, the head of International Finance and Capital Markets at the Commonwealth Secretariat said: “Our aid recipient partner countries have signalled clearly that the international community needs to go much further than just renewing their commitments at Busan but need to agree to a series of prioritised concrete actions to ensure that these commitments are met in a time bound manner. The Busan agreement should be supported by a post-Busan monitoring framework which ensures that this can be monitored.”

Ms Attridge, who is also in Busan, added that as well as building on the principles and procedures of the previous High Level Fora in Paris and Accra, it is equally important that discussions shift to consider aid in the context of the broader development challenges that the global community face today.

Notes for Editors

For media enquiries and to arrange interviews, please contact Julius Mucunguzi, Communications Officer by email: j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int or telephone: +447894593517

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“This is a dastardly and atrocious act. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish casualties a speedy recovery,” said Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.

The UN and Commonwealth work alongside each other as institutions committed to international respect and understanding. We share many values, including peace, tolerance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This outrage is an attack on these values and undermines our efforts to nurture security and international harmony.

We are confident the Government of Nigeria will put every effort into identifying the perpetrators of this heinous crime and to ensure that they are swiftly brought to justice.”

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The signing took place at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Sydney, Australia, and was witnessed by law ministers, attorneys-general and senior officials from the 54-member Commonwealth.

The ICC President commended the Commonwealth Secretariat for its sterling work in promoting the development and implementation of international criminal law.

“National jurisdictions are the first line of defence against impunity for mass atrocities. The ICC is a safety net, a court of last resort,” said President Song.

“For justice to prevail, we need to develop the national and international elements in parallel. The Commonwealth is uniquely placed to facilitate that process.”

Mr Sharma highlighted the ICC’s central role in international efforts to achieve justice for victims and to prevent impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other forms of violent aggression.

He said the co-operation agreement between the Commonwealth and the ICC would help promote the rule of law at the national level through capacity-building measures in the fields of international humanitarian law and international criminal law.

“This marks a new chapter in our work in the delivery of capacity-building measures such as developing training and assistance programmes for national judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice officials in the fields of international humanitarian law and international criminal law,” Mr Sharma said.

“The conclusion of this Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates our deep-rooted commitment to the rule of law. It is a fundamental Commonwealth value within the new humanism we espouse. In concrete terms this means providing mutual support in upholding human rights, in providing access to justice for victims and in fighting impunity, particularly for perpetrators of those most heinous atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity,” he added.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two organisations will enhance their co-operation in promoting the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute. It calls for the exchange of information and legal materials, organise and participate in joint meetings and conferences at all levels, develop training and assistance programmes for legal professionals in Commonwealth countries, and support states as they implement international criminal law at the national level.

Statement of the ICC President

Statement of the Commonwealth Secretary-General

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 News Release:

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will make his first official visits to Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga, following his attendance at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Sydney in mid-July.

The Secretary-General will visit Apia, Samoa, from 14-15 July, where he will call on Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. He will then travel to Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from 17-19 July, to meet with Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano. In both countries the Secretary-General will also meet with other Cabinet Ministers, the Speaker of Parliament, Opposition leader and Commonwealth High Commissioners.

The Secretary-General will meet the two Prime Ministers primarily to exchange views on the agenda and key issues for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to be held in Perth, Australia, in October 2011. The Secretary-General also wishes to pursue a deeper understanding of Samoa and Tonga’s national interests and priorities, and discuss ways the Commonwealth can best strengthen its partnership with both countries in areas of shared interest, including democracy and good governance, economic development, gender, and youth matters.

Note to Editors

For media interviews, please contact Simon Gimson, Head of the Office of the Secretary-General at s.gimson@commonwealthint or via his UK mobile at

+44-7711-710-047.

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The officials, known as Primary Contact Points (PCPs), who act as focal points at a national level for the implementation of Commonwealth Secretariat technical and development assistance work, spoke highly and positively about the impact of the assistance they receive from the Association through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CTFC).

The representatives reiterated the value they place on the CFTC’s assistance which is of particular significance to its 32 small states and the least developed countries (LDCs).  They highlighted a number of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s key strengths, including its accessibility, credibility and valuable assistance as a trusted partner.

“Commonwealth technical assistance suits the unique development and capacity needs of small states and vulnerable members. The flexibility, easy and quick access, reception of response to requests and sensibility to our unique vulnerabilities is unprecedented and unmatched,” said Ms Hilary Hazel, an official from St Kitts and Nevis, a small island state in the Caribbean.

Another participant, Mr Ronald Bugingo from Rwanda, said: “We have only been in the Commonwealth for about two years, but already we are seeing value of our membership. From this meeting, I have heard the various opportunities my country can tap into to share experiences and seek support.”

While Mr Muhammad Alkama Siddiqui from Bangladesh said: “Commonwealth technical assistance addresses niche gaps, is relevant and is offered with no strings attached, no conditions and fewer formalities.”

Such remarks were echoed by other officials from across the Commonwealth.

They also welcomed the Secretariat’s efforts to consolidate Result Based Management or RBM, an approach aimed at ensuring that the organisation’s work delivers practical and measurable results that contribute to poverty eradication, good governance and democracy.

“Given the Secretariat’s relatively modest budget, we recognise the need to continue to focus our efforts, make use of our comparative advantages, and leverage on partnerships when delivering our programme of development assistance,” said Ransford Smith, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General.

During the three day meeting, new mechanisms for improving communication and information sharing between the Commonwealth Secretariat with, and among the focal points in member states were showcased. These included the launch of a dedicated extranet—a web based platform which will enable member countries as well as their London-based High Commissions to communicate and co-ordinate more effectively with the Secretariat on issues related to the CFTC-funded programme of assistance.

Another feature for improving coordination and communication– the refreshed Primary Contact Point/Point of Contact system as well as the launch of the pilot Technical Cooperation Frameworks (TCFs)—were presented and well received.

The TCFs are expected to further guide the provision of CFTC-funded technical assistance to member countries in line with their national development priorities.

In addition, the Commonwealth Connects, a portal which is being designed to help member countries share their knowledge and best practices on a variety of issues, was welcomed by participants.

The Meeting also benefited from a discussion on South-South Cooperation—a process in which developing countries share and support each other through the sharing of best practices, technical expertise, and resource mobilisation. This is a key and highly valued principle that drives the work of the CFTC.

Participants, while commending the Secretariat’s work, reiterated the need for it to continue sharpening and strengthening the balance between flexibility and focus.

In an innovative segment of the meeting, participants engaged in a Development Dialogue during which key Commonwealth flagship projects such as those on trade capacity building, natural resource management and ocean governance were discussed in a wider development context.

“We are committed to considering the valuable feedback we have received from this meeting to ensure that our work continues to be cutting edge and delivering value to our member states,” Mr Smith concluded.

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CMAG, which comprises foreign ministers, will continue discussions on how its role can be strengthened, under a mandate handed down by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their last meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in November 2009.

The Group will also discuss Fiji, which is currently suspended from the Commonwealth.  At its last meeting, in New York in September 2010, CMAG reiterated its serious concern about the lack of progress made toward the restoration of civilian constitutional democracy in Fiji.  CMAG expressed its sincere hope that Fiji would take the steps required to enable the restoration of its full participation in the Commonwealth as soon as possible, and emphasised the Commonwealth’s continued readiness to assist Fiji on that path.

CMAG was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in November 1995 to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values.

CMAG currently comprises the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Jamaica, Maldives, Namibia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.

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Commonwealth health ministers and senior officials will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on 15 May 2011 to discuss how to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which currently kill 35 million people worldwide every year.

The theme for the 2011 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting is ‘Non-communicable diseases – a priority for the Commonwealth’.

Ministers will hear from Jean Claude Mbanya, President of the International Diabetes Federation and Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at the World Health Organization (WHO) will also address the meeting, which takes place on the eve of the 64th World Health Assembly.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said: “The burden of non-communicable diseases is evident in every corner of the Commonwealth, and is impacting on both rich and poor countries, at all levels of society.

“The increase of these diseases has become far more than a health challenge. It is now a human development challenge which needs to be tackled urgently.”

The Commonwealth has played a significant role in raising the profile of NCDs on the global health agenda. In 2009, when Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, leaders issued a statement on the growing burden of NCDs and called for a United Nations (UN) Summit to develop strategic responses to this.

The Commonwealth Secretariat responded with a Roadmap on Non-communicable Diseases, which was accepted by health ministers in May 2010. It calls on the Secretariat to use its unique convening position to facilitate partnerships, to share examples of good practice in responding to this health crisis, and to develop a NCDs media strategy.

Health ministers also welcomed the adoption of a UN General Assembly Resolution on the ‘Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases’ and called for the highest participation in the UN General Assembly Special Session on NCDs, which takes place in September. The Secretariat’s Health Section is collaborating with partners, including the WHO and the NCD Alliance, in the build-up to the summit

For media enquiries, please contact Victoria Holdsworth (Communications Officer) on v.holdsworth@commonwealth.int or +44 (0)7894 593520.

Note to Editors:

According to the WHO, NCDs cause 60 per cent of deaths worldwide and are projected to account for more than 75 per cent of global deaths by 2030. NCDs include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Experts say they pose a serious threat to sustainable development and are undermining the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, given the close association between health and development.

Of the 35 million deaths from NCDs each year, eight out of ten come from middle and low income countries, many of which do not have programmes to tackle the problem.

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