Montage shows People's Forum panel session and receptions (l-r) Commonwealth Sports breakfast and Forum closing ceremony. [photos by Matthew Neuhaus]
[Australian professor and diplomat Matthew Neuhaus is sharing his experiences and insights at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM in Apia, Samoa.]
Storms may come but the weather for the first few days has been sunny and bright. The three forums – Peoples, Youth and Business – concluded in a joint reception outside of Apia at St Therese’s Catholic Retreat Centre. As the sun set the hundreds of participants were treated to a spectacular display of traditional Samoan singing and dancing and plied with food and excellent New Zealand wines.
I had a chance to have a quick word with the Secretary General and Prime Minister who were both very pleased with how things were going. The all-important Oceans Declaration seems on track and that will be the key outcome for this CHOGM.
The reporting from the UK and Australian press on slavery reparations recriminations, concerns of monarchy, and a dying organisation all seem in Samoa to be from a parallel universe. Even Zimbabwe, with the late release to governments of the COG (Commonwealth Observer Group) Report from the 2023 elections, has been kicked beyond CHOGM for resolution.
The only real controversy is over who will be the next Secretary General. The outcome is still far from certain. Lesotho’s Joshua Setipa is clearly putting in a strong effort to challenge Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Botchwey, and The Gambia’s Mamadu Tangara still in with a chance. This is important because the next SG will be crucial to the future of the Commonwealth.
The three Forums and their success demonstrates though there is real energy in our Commonwealth family. Participants in all were extremely positive on the program and exchanges and inspired in their work.
Letter from Apia One
Articles for the Round Table Journal by Matthew Neuhaus
The People’s Forum was particularly well designed around its themes of health justice, climate justice and freedom of expression. There was so much substance here that the discussion did not wander far from the themes. Balancing the voices of the Pacific we heard more on day 2 from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
Access to health care and the loss of health care workers from developing to developed nations was a theme in health justice. The voice of the disabled was clearly heard with a strong attendance by them.
A moment of silence was held for all the journalists killed this year with truly shocking figures cited from Asia and the Middle East. The use of suppressive legislation against media across the Commonwealth is of concern. Freedom of expression is under real threat and disinformation a major problem.
A special event held by IFCO – the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations – convened by Owen Tudor was joined by ASG Luis Franceschi and Anne Gallagher from the Secretariat. It is likely IFCO will become an increasingly important way for civil society to organise and interact with the intergovernmental Commonwealth.
The concluding session on the future of the Commonwealth chaired by Sur Onslow had two great Commonwealth elders – Justice Michael Kirby and Sur Anand Satyanand – and two articulate younger voices Shomy Chowdhury (Bangladesh) and Darrione Narine (Trinidad and Tobago). Kirby affirmed the importance of the Charter and also made an impassioned speech for LGBTI rights. Others also spoke with great commitment.
Overall though it is increasingly clear that the future of the Commonwealth will be what we see happening in Samoa – an organisation where the smaller countries will provide the leadership and civil society voices have space to be heard. And don’t think they are not being listened too – the Australian and NZ Governments had silent participants in all three forums. The new UK Minister for Africa and the Commonwealth Wayne Collins quietly attended the final session of the Peoples Forum and stressed that civil society was the key ingredient for the future.
A day of Commonwealth Games breakfast, further civil society side events and the Business Forum is ahead.
Matthew Neuhaus is the Hon Professor, ANU College of Law, President of the Australian Royal Commonwealth Society and a member of the Round Table’s international advisory board.
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