Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, yesterday hailed Guyana’s association with the Commonwealth as it joins with the other 53 nations in celebrating Commonwealth Day 2013, under the theme, “Opportunity through Enterprise”.
She said that this year, this observance is even more auspicious, since the Commonwealth is launching its Charter,

which will be presented to Queen Elizabeth, as Head of the Commonwealth.
Through the Charter, Commonwealth leaders commit to upholding: democracy; human rights; peace and security; tolerance, respect and understanding; freedom of expression; separation of powers; rule of law; good governance; sustainable development; environmental protection; access to health, education, food and shelter; gender equality; and the importance of young people and civil society.
“We are very pleased to be the first set of countries to indicate our support for the charter. It is very important to us, because it spells out clearly our opposition to discrimination in any form, whether it is based on any political belief, gender, race or creed, and this is clearly set out in the Charter,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.
Guyana has benefitted significantly from the Commonwealth, especially in the areas of governance, education, health, youth development, and technical assistance in terms of maritime issue.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett explained that Guyana’s submission for an extension of its continental shelf would not have been possible without the technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
A submission of all the relevant data with respect to this country and its quest to an extended continental shelf, pursuant to Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, was made to the United Nations in 2011.
Guyana also received support in the areas of governance (elections observance) and youth development.
“We have been a beneficiary of the Commonwealth in different respects….this year’s theme is very relevant, since research has shown that it is the small and medium enterprises that are in economic development for many countries and Guyana subscribes to this view; and it is for this reason that we have many programmes as well aimed at small enterprises,” the minister said.
She concluded that if the lesser developed countries are to make headway in reducing poverty, then it would be through enterprises.
With over a third of the world’s population, the Commonwealth is described as an institution with a rich past and a promising future. It is a diverse network which includes some of the world’s fastest growing economies, developed and developing countries, small and island states. This gives it a legitimate voice on a range of global issues.
Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations observed on the second Monday in March.
The significance of the Commonwealth has been steadily growing over the last two decades, with intra-Commonwealth trade in goods now worth about £250B each year to its members. (GINA)