Malta is eager to present itself as a genuine partner, alongside all other nations, in the Commonwealth, towards connection, friendship and cooperation. Malta is a firm believer in the role that gender dynamics play in enabling sustainable development. For this reason, we are proud to have championed and hosted the first Commonwealth Women’s Forum, in the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2015 in Malta. Today, this has become a permanent feature in the CHOGM week calendar. This forum continues to draw international delegates from the Commonwealth and the rest of the world to highlight women’s positive political, economic and societal contributions and establish how women and girls will be key to building sustainable and resilient societies in our Commonwealth.
“I am confident that the Commonwealth will remain committed to its people for the decades to come and will continue to look to its future while strengthening its position on the international arena. It is our duty to remain committed to change and allow this friendship to flourish over the years to come.”
Image: Commonwealth Secretariat.
70 YEARS ON: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS
Our Commonwealth is unlike anything else out there. And this distinctiveness - stemming from 53 different countries spread across 5 different continents – evokes a desire to work collectively in a Commonwealth that values inclusiveness and opportunity. We therefore look forward to pursuing increasing collaboration with The Gambia that has re-joined the Commonwealth, after a five-year absence. Similarly, we look forward to welcoming The Maldives in the near future, within our family. The year 2019 marks not only the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Commonwealth in its present configuration, but also the beginning of a new era in global connectivity with Commonwealth countries being at the forefront of it all. The last seven decades of friendship have forged old bonds of cooperation and friendship among the very diverse nations. In the very same spirit, the Commonwealth of Nations should strive to continue to strengthen these ties towards sustainable social, political and
138 | The Parliamentarian | 2019: Issue Two | 100th year of publishing
economic development for all its citizens alike. As a Commonwealth family, we rely on the very uniqueness of this forum, which is not replicated elsewhere in the world. Our discussion on the need to safeguard the well-being of the people of the Commonwealth has been repeated throughout the years. This resolve deserves our commitment at every CHOGM. It is this biennial event that culminates in a defining moment where we look to our future by learning from the past. We must be relentless in our path towards tangible action. Connectivity and Communication will continue to be central in securing the Commonwealth’s relevance and very existence by actively leading and acting through example in finding solutions to today’s global challenges. I am confident that the Commonwealth will remain committed to its people for the decades to come and will continue to look to its future while strengthening its position on the international arena. It is our duty to remain committed to change
Above: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth and Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, with the Prime Minister of Malta, Hon. Dr Joseph Muscat, MP, arrives at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM) in 2015, held in Malta
and allow this friendship to flourish over the years to come. The need to safeguard future generations is a common challenge which goes beyond our borders and this is why we as the Commonwealth family must continue to promote its message with a common voice to the world and emphasise the need for a more sustainable future. Nothing must get in the way of our shared values while we continue to let our vision guide us to achieve our ultimate objectives. Significant anniversaries such as the one we are celebrating only serve to reignite dialogues, forge stronger bonds and bring us closer towards our destination on our common path.