12 March 2007
Commonwealth Day will take place on Monday, 12 March 2007 and the theme for
this year is "The Commonwealth: respecting differences, promoting
understanding." South Africa will use this opportunity to renew our commitment
to the Commonwealth's shared values of tolerance, respect, and equality and to
uphold its fundamental principles of democracy, human rights, the rule of law
and sustainable socio-economic development. During 2007, members of the
Commonwealth will give special attention to the tensions that exist worldwide
and within their own countries, between communities, faiths and ethnic groups.
In order to create a better world for all, we should all learn to respect our
differences, learn from each other and promote understanding.
The Commonwealth is a working example of diversity, it comprises 53 member
countries on every continent and major ocean and with a combined population of
1,8 billion (1/4 of world population), making up 1/5th of world trade. It is an
important multilateral institution uniting countries within common historical
backgrounds. It provides an opportunity for South Africa and its other members
to promote matters of common interest. The tradition and history of the
Commonwealth, including the designation of representatives of its member
countries, are important uniting factors. Notwithstanding the geographical,
religious and cultural diversity of its membership, the Commonwealth is united
by its shared ideals and common traditions and manifested in similar structures
of governance, public administration and law, a common working language,
commercial and business practices and understanding.
Since rejoining the Commonwealth in 1994, South Africa has interacted
closely with the work of the Commonwealth. A recent example of this interaction
is the hosting of the 16th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers from
11 to 14 December 2006 in Cape Town. Under the theme, "Access to Quality
Education," Ministers reviewed the progress in education across the
Commonwealth, while for the first time at a Commonwealth Education Ministers'
Conference, three parallel events namely, the Teachers' Forum, Stakeholders'
Forum and Youth Forum were hosted to address education problems from the
perspective of teachers, academics, national and international agencies as well
as the youth.
We continue to hold aloft the principles to which the Commonwealth adheres
as constituting a correct and desirable foundation for a better world we all
seek to build. Today more than any time in the past, there is a dire need for
multilateralism as an indispensable way to address global challenges of all
kind.
Naturally, the application of this valuable principle is predicated on the
important fact that no state, no matter how small or weak, is of no
consequences enough to be disregarded in the international arena of
multinational discourse.
The Commonwealth serves as glue that holds together our nations and
consolidates our common areas of interest even as it recognises our
differences, because of our common heritage of historical commonalities, links,
and the common benefit we collectively stand to gain from forging closer
strategic links.
Through its work we hope to expedite the process towards the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty and advancing democracy and
development, especially as challenges facing the developing countries, which
constitute a good number of Commonwealth memberships.
South Africa is looking forward to the Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting (CHOGM) that will be held in Kampala, Uganda from 23 to 25 November
2007. The theme for this event is "Transforming Commonwealth Societies to
achieve political, economic and human development." South Africa is working
closely with the Ugandan government to achieve the goals set for the Kampala
CHOGM. As host of the 1999 CHOGM and various international conferences, South
Africa attended a preparatory meeting in Uganda in January 2007 to share its
experiences with international conferences with the organisers of the Kampala
CHOGM. South Africa sees each CHOGM as an opportunity to share best practices
and experiences with countries that have transformed and modernised their
societies politically and economically and give members the opportunity to
replicate the successes throughout the Commonwealth. The Conference convened on
African soil, will provide a good forum to discuss the African perspective as
it relates to the theme and thus an opportunity to advance the African
Agenda.
The government of South Africa feels confident that through our Commonwealth
networks we can strengthen international unity by understanding and respecting
diversity and building platforms for peace and prosperity worldwide.
It is in this spirit of solidarity, that we cherish the valuable partnership
and celebrate Commonwealth Day 2007.
Thabo Mbeki
President of the Republic of South Africa
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 March 2007
