Consultation Meeting with the Commonwealth People’s Forum
Monday 8th June 2009 - The Victoria Hotel, Sliema
Ladies and Gentlemen
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Attard Pirotta is unfortunately unable to attend this consultation due to other overseas commitments; however I would like to convey, on her behalf the following message:
The Commonwealth People’s Forum has now become an integral part of every CHOGM, 12 years since its inception it continues to be relevant in voicing the concerns, opinion and aspirations of civil society and this is precisely why governments value dialogue with the Commonwealth Peoples Forum. By its very nature, the Commonwealth Peoples Forum is very well placed to transmit and bring to the fore the issues and concerns of our citizens as they evolve over time. The Commonwealth Peoples Forum is therefore a dynamic medium and effective instrument at the Commonwealth disposal.
The attention of the world has over the past months been captured by the many different yet related crises we are all facing. In the midst of figures and statistics relating to the global financial and economic crisis, the food crisis and the environmental crisis it is important that we also look beyond the current crises and keep issues such as good governance, gender, environment, disability and human rights on the agenda.
There is no option but to emerge from the crises; collective effort, cooperation and action are imperative to overcome these challenging times. Governments need to act, but in order to be effective governments cannot act alone. It is in the light of this that the contribution of Commonwealth partners is essential. The Commonwealth Peoples Forum has been at the forefront to highlight the realities of our societies bringing forth not only the common challenges we face but also the solutions based on the richness and diversity of the Commonwealth family.
At the height of the crises the international community is grappling with; an effort has to be made in order to live up to commitments made to attain the Millennium Development Goals. We cannot ignore the fact that ‘One third of the Commonwealth’s 1.8 billion people live on less than one dollar a day. Almost two thirds of the world’s HIV/AIDS cases and maternal deaths take place in Commonwealth countries. More than half of the world’s 115 million children without education are to be found in the Commonwealth’ as highlighted by the Commonwealth Secretary General in 2005.
Malta believes that the achievement of the MDGs has to be a priority for the international community, and must be addressed in a multidimensional way, both through the conduct of political and economic decision-making as well through social and environmental factors related to different facets, such as geography, climate, culture and gender. Being beyond mid-point to the target date set by the declaration on the MDGs, we need to redouble our efforts to meet our commitments and sustain our efforts, in order to make extreme poverty history. Beyond any doubt, Commonwealth states possess a great potential and should work together in order to be more effective in the wake of new challenges. The theme for CHOGM 2009 – ‘Partnering for a more Equitable and Sustainable Future’ is not only appropriate, but most certainly, timely in view of the current realities.
The Commonwealth People’s Forum’s contribution in this regard remains invaluable and the involvement of the various civil society organisations, your involvement, is of paramount importance. The extraordinary work carried out by the Commonwealth People’s Forum is indeed, instrumental in assisting the commonwealth to keep its ear to the ground in pursuit of its objectives. Its input will most certainly continue to be a fundamental in the run up to this year’s CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago.
Thank You
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Attard Pirotta