The British Prime Minister believes that the Commonwealth has much to offer, particularly in the area of trade, but that it has to be willing to adapt to change. He says that the UK Government should reinvigorate its relations with Commonwealth member states and endeavour to play a bigger role in the association’s future development
Next month the Commonwealth will take centre stage, as the 19th Games are held in India. A poll conducted last year showed many Commonwealth citizens have little awareness of the Commonwealth beyond its association with the Games. Yet the truth is that the Commonwealth is a fantastic group of nations that has the potential to achieve so much. So this year’s Games provide a really important moment to think again about the role the Commonwealth can play in helping to improve the lives of its people.
The Commonwealth’s 54 members span every continent and ocean in the world. From the northern tip of Cape Colombia to Jacquemart Island in the South; from Tuvalu in the West to Niue in the East. They make up almost a third of the world’s population and represent all of the world’s major faiths – including some 800 million Hindus, 500 million Muslims and 400 million Christians. It includes nations with very different backgrounds and cultures, but nations united by the Commonwealth through a commitment to democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all. You only have to look at the way Commonwealth countries rallied to pledge nearly $200 million to support Pakistan during the recent floods to see how this unique family of nations can come together and help each other.
But at a time when we have the G20, the G8, the G8+5, the EU, United Nations, NATO, WTO and UNFCCC – to name just a few – all trying to address the many challenges we face from economic stability and security to development and climate change, it’s understandable that some people will wonder what it is that the Commonwealth can really add.
One very important answer to this question I believe is trade. The Commonwealth accounts for a fifth of all world trade. In just the past decade intra-Commonwealth trade has grown by 50 percent to reach $3 trillion per year, while investment flows are now over $160 billion. Its shared values and good governance create a stable environment for business, as does its established legal systems. With over 20,000 listed companies and investment totalling $200 billion over the last ten years, it is no surprise that more countries want to join.
And yet the trade argument is still not won. Too many people still see trade as a zero sum game where one country’s success is another country’s failure. This just isn’t the case. Everyone can benefit from an increase in trade flows. And I believe the Commonwealth is uniquely placed to make the case for trade and to catalyse an increase in investment and trade which quite frankly is the single biggest and most important stimulus we can give our economies right now.
Global economic prosperity and security needs action, not back to back statements or tired, rehearsed exchanges. Too often great international institutions fail to live up to the hype and to the promises made. I’m sure other leaders would admit that. We need a real focus on what we actually want to achieve, with leaders – including me – being willing to be held to account and made to live up to our promises. We need to show people that we can get real results – by concentrating on key priorities and then driving them through relentlessly year after year.
And this applies to the Commonwealth as much as any other international institution. The G20 shows how international institutions cannot remain static if they are to remain effective. Groupings which reflect the dynamics of the world 60 years ago are no longer the best way of delivering effective global governance, prosperity and security today. That’s why we must also continue to push for reform and fairer representation in the United Nations Security Council. The UK Government is at the forefront of those arguing for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council, clear and unambiguous in our support for permanent membership for Japan, Germany, India and Brazil, as well as African representation.
The Commonwealth too has to show that it can adapt and evolve. And that it can deliver for its people. The new Eminent Persons Group can help. Under the chairmanship of Ahmad Badawi and with experienced members like Sir Malcolm Rifkind, it has a real opportunity to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the Commonwealth to its two billion citizens. I look forward to seeing their recommendations.
The Commonwealth can be one of the most valuable networks by demonstrating the flexibility which more rigid institutions find difficult and by exploiting its global reach. With half of our population under the age of 25, there is no question that the Commonwealth can have a great future. And I’m determined that the UK Government should play a big part in that.
One of the great things about having a new government is that you have a chance to renew so many of your relationships. And I have asked my Foreign Secretary, William Hague, and his team to reinvigorate our relationship with all the Commonwealth members. I think we could get so much more out of the Commonwealth, out of our shared traditions, our shared history, our shared values, our shared relationship.
As the 19th Games begin, the Commonwealth faces a choice. It can be an historic relic of a bygone era of post-colonial rule – or it can be a powerful, authoritative and hugely influential force for economic progress in the 21st century. For me that choice is a no-brainer. We should be excited and determined about what the nations of the Commonwealth can do together.
