Commonwealth Discussion Paper examines the nature of the global downturn and its implications

The Commonwealth must continue to advocate inclusiveness and forward-thinking, as well as reinforce the practical responses of governments to their citizens during the global economic crisis, according to the Head of Economic Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Dr Cyrus Rustomjee notes that while the Commonwealth does not have the technical or financial resources of larger international organisations, it is well placed to make “a distinctive contribution”.

“Through the diversity of its membership – which ranges from the largest to the smallest countries in the world – the Commonwealth works to ensure inclusiveness so that all countries are fairly represented in decision-making that affects them,” he writes in the latest Commonwealth Secretariat Discussion Paper.

Dr Rustomjee cites the G20 meeting in London earlier this year - when Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma called on leaders not to forget the 90 per cent of the world’s countries who did not have a seat at the table - as an example of the association’s efforts to promote inclusiveness.

He also highlights the Commonwealth summit in June last year, when 11 leaders outlined principles for the reform of international institutions. “These guiding principles include an equal voice and fair representation for all countries, and that institutions must be transparent and accountable to their membership as well as the wider public.”

As well as these and other efforts to ensure inclusiveness in the present, Dr Rustomjee also explains the Secretariat’s pre-emptive work, which looks ahead to unknown challenges countries may face in the future.

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One such example of this work is the Commonwealth’s efforts to help countries formulate, negotiate and implement their trade policies. “Steps include placing trade experts in government ministries and regional organisations to help African, Caribbean and Pacific countries integrate into the trading system.”

Dr Rustomjee’s Paper – ‘The Commonwealth and the Economic Crisis’ – also looks back at the nature of the crisis and its implications, especially the impact on the smaller, poorer and most vulnerable developing countries, and the responses from others from the international community: the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and regional development banks.

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Source: Commonwelath Secretariate