CONCLUSIONS FROM 2022 COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING

MBABANE – His Majesty King Mswati III made great headway along with other Commonwealth Heads of Government in the past two days of their biannual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). 

Speaking during the Meeting, His Majesty King Mswati III said that, “As the Commonwealth family, we need to intensify our efforts to ease intra Commonwealth trade and investment. Furthermore, our Governments need to embrace digital transformation and implement the policies to support this advancement.” 

His Majesty was speaking in reference to the theme of this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – ‘Delivering a Common Future:  Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’. The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States (CMMSS) was also being held on the sidelines of the CHOGM. The Meeting concluded on Saturday the 25th of June. Here are some of the main deliberations which the Heads of Government had consensus on: 

• COVID-19 Recovery – Heads underscored the importance of connecting, innovating, and transforming in  order to facilitate a full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and to respond to  conflicts and crises in ways that increases resilience and progress in delivering a  common future, underpinned by sustainability, peace and prosperity, to improve the  lives of all the people of the Commonwealth. They resolved to continue to work in cooperation with national, regional, and  international partners to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and transition towards  longer term COVID-19 control, by supporting universal, fair, timely, equitable and non discriminatory access to and distribution of safe, efficacious, and affordable COVID 19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
• Health – Recalling their previous statement on the COVID-19 pandemic, Heads acknowledged  that addressing the pandemic has refocused attention on the importance of having  strong, resilient and inclusive health systems, with integrated public health functions  so member countries are better prepared to prevent, detect, respond and recover  from health emergencies, including pandemics, natural disasters and the health  impacts of climate change. Heads called for coordinated global action, including  through bolstering national public health systems to strengthen health emergency,  prevention, preparedness, and response capacities in line with International Health  Regulations 2005 through a One Health approach. Heads resolved to allocate adequate resources to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient health systems, with a focus on primary health care (PHC) and reaching those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations, that would accelerate progress towards the goal of UHC and strengthen preparedness for health emergencies, including for enabling an effective response to emergencies while maintaining access to essential health services. 
• Youth – Heads took note of the fact that young people across the Commonwealth are  mobilising to gain a greater voice in all public affairs, to call for systemic change and  increased accountability from governments. With three out of every five citizens of  the Commonwealth under age 30, young people play a pivotal role in achieving the  2030 Agenda. In this regard, Heads committed to increasing meaningful representation  of youth in decision-making processes and mechanisms, including in conflict resolution  and peacebuilding. Heads welcomed the 12^th Commonwealth Youth Forum Declaration and action plan  and pledged their continued commitment to mainstreaming youth priorities into  national development policies and plans especially in the post-COVID-19 recovery  context. In  honouring the commitment made by Heads to establish the CYP in 1973, Heads  declared 2023 a year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive  development and called on all stakeholders at all levels to renew and strengthen their  commitment to youth engagement and empowerment. Heads recognised the role and important contribution of non-formal education and its  role in the development of young people’s knowledge, skills, and competencies for  the labour market. To this end, they noted the launch of the Commonwealth Alliance  for Quality Youth Leadership, promoting non-formal education and learning, to  support the training and capacity building of young people across the Commonwealth.  Heads further welcomed the announcement by Pakistan to host the  next Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad in January 2023. In order to contribute to the global knowledge economy and to  make higher institutions of learning relevant and sustainable, Heads affirmed their  support for higher education and research.
• 2030 Agenda – Heads noted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), including  the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, as a global blueprint for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and as an opportunity to build a more resilient, peaceful, prosperous, and  inclusive world for all and to accelerate progress through the Decade of Action.  Moreover, they discussed how the modern Commonwealth might build on its  achievements and could leverage its comparative advantage and its network of  organisations to contribute to viable solutions. Heads reaffirmed their commitment  to the aspirations of the Commonwealth Charter and the 2030 Agenda.
• Global Conflicts – Heads discussed ongoing global conflicts and the associated loss of lives and  infrastructure, and the displacement of people. They also discussed Ukraine. In this regard, Heads emphasised the commitment in the Commonwealth Charter, to  international peace and security, and to an effective multilateral system based on  international law. They took note of the relevant UN resolutions and reaffirmed their  support for the Charter of the United Nations and international efforts for peace.  Heads underscored the need to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all  states. Heads also emphasised that all countries must seek peaceful resolution to all  disputes in accordance with international law.
• Food and Energy Security – Heads expressed their deep concern that nutrition, food and energy security for the  most vulnerable in the Commonwealth is being further affected by supply chain  disruptions and price increases resulting from global instability, the COVID-19  pandemic, conflicts and crises that are impeding export from one of the world’s most  important agricultural suppliers, and the impacts of climate change. They observed  that disruptions to food security and nutrition, and the smooth flow of trade and  exports, are undermining member countries’ recovery from the pandemic and  adversely affecting sustainable development and progress on the 2030 Agenda. 
• Migration – Heads agreed that a capacity centred approach to migration partnerships would best serve common goals. Heads  noted further that Commonwealth countries are affected differently by demographic,  economic, social, and environmental changes that may result from migration or have  implications for migration. Heads emphasised the need for international cooperation  to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration, including through the  implementation of relevant international frameworks.
• Climate Change –  Heads noted with deep regret that the goal of developed country parties to mobilise  jointly US$100 billion per year by 2020 in the context of meaningful mitigation actions  and transparency on implementation has not yet been met and welcomes the  increased pledges made by many developed country parties and the Climate Finance  Delivery Plan: Meeting the US$100 Billion Goal and the collective actions contained  therein. Heads are deeply concerned about the ongoing climate crisis, and recognised that it  affects, in particular, the most vulnerable, including developing countries, least  developed countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Heads welcomed the  substantive progress of the 26^th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework  Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP26) and the COP26 Glasgow Climate  Pact, including their collective commitment to achieving the agreed ambition on  finance, adaptation, and mitigation. Heads renewed their commitment under the Paris Agreement to keep the increase in  global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial  levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Heads also recognise that the impacts of climate change  will be much lower at the temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with  2 degrees Celsius, and resolve to pursue efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5  degrees Celsius, as provided for in the COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact. 

• Human Rights – Heads renewed their commitment to the Commonwealth’s fundamental political  values of democracy, gender equality, and inclusive development, as outlined in the  Commonwealth Charter. They further reiterated their commitment to human rights  and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights  and other relevant international instruments. Recognising that human rights are  applicable in online and offline media, they underscored the vital role of a vibrant  civil society, including human rights defenders, in delivering good governance and  democracy.
• Freedom – Heads stressed the importance of the right to freedom of expression through  peaceful, open dialogue, and the free flow of information, including through a free,  independent, responsible, and pluralistic media, and committed to enhancing  democratic traditions and strengthening democratic processes. Heads noted the  important ongoing work being carried out by the Expert Working Group of member  countries on the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of  the Media in Good Governance, and looked forward to further updates. Furthermore,  Heads noted that freedom of religion or belief are cornerstones of democratic  societies.  
• Elections – Heads reaffirmed their commitment to the Revised Commonwealth Guidelines on  Election Observation, endorsed at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government  Meeting, and called for strengthened efforts throughout an election cycle to support  member countries in improving their democratic processes and institutions, including  through the establishment of domestic mechanisms to review and take forward  observer recommendations.
• Rule of Law – Heads endorsed the Commonwealth Law Ministers Declaration on Equal Access to  Justice issued in Colombo, in November 2019, and the subsequent Plan of Action  endorsed by Senior Officials of Law Ministries, in February 2021. In particular, Heads  renewed their commitment to respect the rule of law, equal access to justice and  independent justice systems. In pursuit of SDGs 10 (reduced inequalities) and 16 (peace, justice and strong  institutions), Heads committed to fully implement laws that promote and protect  inclusion, to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and to promote  appropriate legislation, policies and action.
• Mental Health – Heads called for greater focus on the promotion and realisation of the right of  everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of mental health and  well-being. They emphasised the urgent need to examine mental health and psychosocial support policies across the Commonwealth, and to promote community rights based and people-centred services for people with mental health conditions and  psycho-social conditions.
• Education – Heads took note of the outcomes of the 2022 Commonwealth Ministers of Education  Meeting, including the role that education can play in preventing violent extremism.  Heads called upon Ministers of Education to accelerate implementation of global citizenship education towards elimination of all forms of violence. 
• Gender Equality – Heads emphasised that women continue to face disproportionate barriers  exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly of unpaid care and domestic  work, that prevent them from fully engaging in and benefiting from trade and  acknowledged that economic and trade instruments, policies, programmes and  agreements could address these barriers. Heads committed to addressing these  barriers, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and increasing opportunities  for women-owned businesses to trade. Heads recognised the complimentary trade  and domestic policies to ensure that women, as workers, business owners and  consumers, can participate in and benefit from trade; and will further enhance their  efforts to promote gender equality and equity in bilateral and multilateral settings. 
• Good Governance – Heads reflected on the link between good governance and transformational  leadership that is accountable, transparent, inclusive, and non-discriminatory. They  committed to the effective and equitable delivery of public goods and determined to continually evaluate their governance systems, and make improvements where  necessary, including placing citizen participation (especially of young people, women  and others facing inequality), at the heart of policy development. Heads called for  increased technical assistance from the Secretariat, especially to Low-to-Middle Income-Countries in policy formulation and development.
• Debt Sustainability – Heads called on the G20 to work with the Paris Club to effectively implement the  Common Framework for delivering debt relief for countries with debt vulnerabilities,  including for private creditors to provide comparable treatment in any future  Common Framework, and for existing debt reduction initiatives to be scaled up where  necessary, including low interest perpetual bonds for sustainable development and  climate action. Heads pledged to work together, and with others, to tackle the impact  of natural disasters, as well the threat of pandemics which may be exacerbated by  natural disasters and related climate impacts. 
• Small States – Heads noted the outcome statement of the 2022 Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States and noted the urgent need to address small states, including the  vulnerabilities of SIDS.Heads acknowledged the work of the Commonwealth Small States Offices, the  Commonwealth Small States Centre of Excellence, and the Commonwealth Small  States Trade Financing Facility, and encouraged collaboration with other UN mechanisms. Heads furthermore acknowledged the development of the  Commonwealth Virtual Centre for Small States to provide a virtual hub to facilitate  knowledge sharing, build capacity amongst small states, and enhance the work of  existing institutional structures. 
• Trade – Heads welcomed the revitalised collaboration among Commonwealth Trade Ministers,  who met in October 2019, and received their outcome statements. They agreed that  Commonwealth Trade Ministers reconvene by June 2023 to discuss next steps  following the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) 12th Ministerial Conference. Noting  the findings of the 2021 Commonwealth Trade Review, the need for more ambitious  action to boost intra-Commonwealth trade to US$ 2 trillion by 2030, and the impact  that trade can have on tackling poverty, Heads reiterated the importance of trade in  goods and services and investment for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and  prosperity. This includes considering development clauses in new trading agreements  that reinforce the interconnected nature of trade and development objectives. eads noted the operationalisation of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for  Trade and Investment and the progress that has been made in building mutual  understanding and sharing of experiences. They noted the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda Action Plan and  undertook to intensify efforts for impactful outcomes. Heads reflected on the challenges and opportunities in the multilateral trading  system. They reaffirmed their commitment to free trade and they recognised the  importance of targeted Special and Differential Treatment as a tool to support least  developed and developing countries, where necessary, to fully implement WTO  Agreements in a transparent, inclusive, fair and open, rules-based multilateral  trading system, with the WTO at its core; taking into account the special  circumstances of least developed countries and small and vulnerable economies,  including SIDS and landlocked developing countries. They reiterated their support for  reform of the WTO so it can continue to serve the needs of these nations.
• Sports – Heads reaffirmed their commitment to sport and physical activity as enablers of  sustainable development. Heads welcomed the Commonwealth Consensus Statement  on Promoting Human Rights in and through Sport and expressed condemnation of all  forms of racism and discrimination in and through sport. Heads further reiterated that  protecting the integrity of sport and human rights in sport, including gender equality, are necessary preconditions for maximising positive impact. They recognised the need  to strengthen legal, policy and institutional frameworks to prevent and respond to  different manifestations of corruption and crime in sport at all levels. Heads  recognised sports as an avenue for advocacy for peaceful co-existence, income generation, and social development and called for the adoption of a common approach  to measure the contribution of sport to the 2030 Agenda in Commonwealth countries. 
• Cyberspace – Heads recognised that Commonwealth governments must work proactively to ensure  that technological progress promotes social and economic equalities. To advance SDG  9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), they urged member countries to prioritise  secure, inclusive, and affordable access to Information and Communications  Technology (ICT) including the provision of universal and affordable broadband. Heads  also underscored the need for governments to invest in critical infrastructure for  digital access. Heads reaffirmed their commitment to equipping citizens, especially women, girls,  young people, and others facing inequality, with the skills necessary to fully benefit  from innovation and opportunities in cyberspace. They committed to ensuring  inclusive access for all, eliminating discrimination in cyberspace, and adopting online  safety policies for all users, especially children, whilst upholding human rights.
• Sustainable Urbanisation – Heads noted that the Commonwealth is home to one third of the world’s population  and nearly 50 percent of the projected increase of the world’s urban population by  mid-century. They reiterated their commitment under SDG 11 (sustainable cities and  communities) to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and resilient. To  this end, Heads adopted the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation. Heads committed to prioritising the provision of affordable and social housing to mitigate the proliferation of informal settlements, promote social inclusion  and cushion the urban poor from social-cultural and economic shocks. 
• Innovation – Heads noted the launch and development of the Commonwealth Innovation Hub as a  knowledge sharing digital platform. Heads underscored the urgency and necessity of  scaling up innovation, data science, and digital transformation initiatives. They urged  member countries to bridge the digital divide within and among countries through  transformational partnerships, and to adopt an open, citizen-centric, and evidence based approach to developing a Commonwealth innovation ecosystem that is inclusive  and equitable and delivers sustainable development for all. 

The next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Samoa in 2024, and the Kingdom of Eswatini has been appointed to co-chair the Meeting.