Policy paper

2010 to 2015 government policy: the Commonwealth

Updated 8 May 2015

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

This is a copy of a document that stated a policy of the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government. The previous URL of this page was https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/strengthening-the-commonwealth–2. Current policies can be found at the GOV.UK policies list.

Issue

The Commonwealth and its networks can act as effective partners in our work to protect and support human rights globally. Commonwealth membership is based on the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The work that the UK conducts within the Commonwealth is also important in contributing to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, an agreement by all the worlds’ countries and leading development institutions to help the world’s poorest individuals.

Actions

The Commonwealth Charter

The Commonwealth Charter which was agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting [CHOGM] in Perth in 2011, is a single document which sets out the Commonwealth’s 16 core values and reflects the aspiration of Commonwealth members. It identifies development for poorer countries and improving human rights and democracy, as the key priorities for the Commonwealth. The Charter aspires ‘to a Commonwealth that is a strong and respected voice in the world, speaking out on major issues; that strengthens and enlarges its networks; that has a global relevance and profile; and that is devoted to improving the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth’.

Formally adopted by Commonwealth Heads of Government on 14th December 2012 and signed by Her Majesty The Queen on 11 March 2013. The Charter is a key outcome of the Commonwealth modernisation process. The Charter was laid before Parliament in the form of a Command Paper on 4 March.

• The Commonwealth Charter

‘Opportunity through Enterprise’

This year’s Commonwealth theme is ‘Opportunity through Enterprise’ which encourages imagination and creativity. The Commonwealth is a ready-made network and ideal platform for cooperation in a rapidly changing global landscape. It includes some of the world’s fastest growing economies with members sharing principles of democracy, rule of law, good governance and similar legal systems. These provide solid foundations for doing business and a platform for trade, investment, development and in turn prosperity.

The Government has strengthened our commercial teams in our High Commissions in Commonwealth countries in Canada, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea and Guyana. We are also strengthening our presence in Commonwealth countries. We opened a new Deputy High Commission in Hyderabad in May 2012 and another is planned to open in Chandigarh.

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 is one example where the Government will be able to put ‘Opportunity through Enterprise’ into practice. The Government is working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure a successful Commonwealth Games.

Multilateral Aid Review

In 2011, the Secretary of State for International Development commissioned a Multilateral Aid Review (MAR) to assess the value for money and impact provided by multilateral agencies that receive funding from the UK. The MAR found that the Commonwealth Secretariat has not fully achieved its potential to contribute to international development goals. Future funding now depends on the Commonwealth Secretariat reducing costs and becoming more efficient. In light of these findings DFID ministers decided that UK funding for the development programmes of the Commonwealth Secretariat should remain at 2010 to 11 levels for the 2011 to 12 and 2012 to 13 financial years.

A review of the Secretariat’s performance is being conducted by DFID in early 2013, and this will inform future funding decisions.

Background

The coalition’s 2010 Programme for Government set out the Government’s aim to ‘strengthen the Commonwealth as a focus for promoting democratic values and development’.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, commonly referred to as CHOGM, occurs every two years. This is the main Commonwealth set piece event and acts as the principle policy and decision making forum to guide the Commonwealth’s strategic direction. The Commonwealth Heads of Government discuss Commonwealth and global issues. Previously these discussions have been on a variety of themes and have included debt management, climate change, communication technology and gender equality. The Commonwealth Heads of Government will agree collective policies and initiatives with decisions reached by consensus. The previous CHOGM in 2011 was held in Perth, Australia. Sri Lanka will host CHOGM in 2013.

In 2011, the Commonwealth set up a review of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), a body established in 1985 to deal with serious violations of the Commonwealth’s political values. Their report, ‘Strengthening the role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’, found that giving CMAG a bigger role would help establish the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. The report was adopted by member states in September 2011.

Who we’re working with

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the main organisation of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Secretariat aims to build stronger, more democratic, institutions across the Commonwealth and does so by providing training, technical assistance and, when invited, sending teams of observers to countries’ elections.

There are also Commonwealth Accredited Organisations. To gain accreditation organisations must meet the following five criteria: be committed to the Commonwealth‘s fundamental values; represent the true diversity of Commonwealth countries; have been in existence for at least two years and be able to demonstrate a tracked record of activity throughout this time, demonstrate that they are accountable and transparent and that their membership is open to all Commonwealth members. There are currently 81 accredited or associated Commonwealth organisations. Once fully operational in June 2013 the Commonwealth Connects website will facilitate increased communication between these organisations.