KIGALI – Baroness Patricia Scotland has been re-elected as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
According a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, this happened during Day 1 of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting which is attended, among other leaders, by His Majesty King Mswati III. The opening session was held 6th June 2022 at the Kigali Conference Centre in Rwanda.
The ministry has disclosed that the announcement was disclosed on 24 June in Rwanda. The following were some of the highlights:
- His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth, emphasised the great value she has placed on the common friendship, humanities and values of the Commonwealth and lauded the values of togetherness and family that were necessary to help the world bounce back from the health, economic and social ravages of the present and recent past.
- The host and new Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, the President of Rwanda H.E. Paul Kagame, warmly welcomed delegates whilst paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, and its most devoted champion. He remarked on how, during Her 70 years of service, the Commonwealth has grown both in number and the scope of its ambition.
He highlighted the existential threat of climate change to small islands and developing states, and unlocking potential for new technologies to create jobs for young people as some of these issues.
In her address, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, underlined the shared values of the group. In particular, the shared interests and practical advantages of the Group and how it was the most significant grouping of countries in the history of the world which is bound, above all, by values which we all aspire to and that these values of peace and justice, of tolerance, respect remain paramount. - The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, highlighted the various global challenges confronting global leaders, including climate change, ensuring girls’ education and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As outgoing Chair-In-Office and thanked member countries for their support during their tenure as Chair-in-Office.
It has been stated that the opening ceremony featured performances by the National Ballet of Rwanda and the Rwanda School of Creative Arts and Music.
It follows four days of Commonwealth forums on youth, women, business and civil society, high profile side events and preparatory ministerial meetings. Over the two days, His Majesty King Mswati III will participate in executive sessions and a leaders’ retreat to discuss shared priorities that will shape the work programmes of the organisation.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States (CMMSS) is held on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This meeting considers small states inherent vulnerabilities and challenges and how these states can develop resistance, agree on concrete action to be taken in supporting small states to address pressing challenges.
