The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria (COSFAN) has lauded the cooperation between Commonwealth countries.
In a statement Abiola Adimu (pictured), its president, issued in commemoration of the Commonwealth Day 2020, the group said member countries have been able to channel a path towards a common future.
Celebrated every March 9, this year’s event is centred around the theme “Delivering a Common Future”.
The statement highlighted how the 54-member countries in the Commonwealth are “innovating, connecting and transforming” to help achieve some of its biggest goals like protecting natural resources and boosting trade.
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“This theme was chosen because the governments and people of the diverse family of 54 Commonwealth countries connect at many levels through extensive and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill,” Adimu said.
“Connecting: The 53 Commonwealth countries, with diverse backgrounds, are united in order to enjoy certain privileges. To achieve this, old links and new ties were forged to CONNECT these member countries with over 2.4 billion people through a common charter. The overall objective is to achieve economic and political cooperation. To promote meaningful and orderly relationship among member countries, some principles known as “Commonwealth Shared Values” have been developed.
“They include: Protection of Natural Resources and environment, agenda for Trade and Investment, recognition of the Needs of Small and Vulnerable States, propagation of Democracy and its Principles, promotion of Health and Education.
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“Furthermore, six critical points worthy of mentioning which relate to connectivity in trade and investment include: Physical Connectivity, Digital Connectivity, Regulatory Connectivity, Business – Business Connectivity, supply Connectivity, Inclusive and Sustainable Trade to Ensure Main-Streaming of Women and Youth in Economics Empowerment.
“Innovating: Together, the countries and people of the Commonwealth tackle climate change and its impacts. Working to find sustainable ways of using the natural resources of our planet, its land and ocean, so that our environment is protected.
“Towards impactful innovation, the issues surrounding collaboration and cooperation shared by member countries of the Commonwealth Nations were re-enforced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which was issued on the 25th of September, 2015.
“Accordingly, it made the following important provisions: Promotion of sports and youth empowerment, Achievement of gender equality and women empowerment, Reduction of poverty among member countries, Activation of food security in order to end hunger, Ensuring inclusive and equitable education.
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“Transforming: Together, we work to build peace and harmony through social and democratic development. The investment to promote social development and democratic governance is premised on transforming the pervading conflict and violence manifesting in armed conflicts, biological weapons, displacement situations among others into peaceful environment where all round development can strive.
“Together, we are delivering a common future by connecting, innovating and transforming our societies.”
