CLA News / Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Samoa Wrap Up by CLA President Dr. Peter D. Maynard KC
More power to Samoa for being such a wonderful host of CHOGM.
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Well, it’s time to move to the next level of implementation and execution.
The Commonwealth is described as a values-based organization. The CLA closely monitors the Commonwealth Charter which was the underlying theme through CHOGM Samoa on what the people of the Commonwealth want. It has been a busy week in this regard in the various fora – Youth, People’s, Women’s, Business and many side events and thousands of people. Unfortunately, “values based” has become a euphemism for not having any money. But the Commonwealth cannot be relevant and credible unless it makes a significant, strategic impact on mobilizing necessary financial resources.
- Climate Justice: SIDS are drowning in debt while their shores are literally disappearing. They need immediate climate financing, debt relief and insurance to help vulnerable nations adapt and thrive. For example, today in recognition of the talks at CHOGM Samoa, Lloyd’s announced new and hopefully affordable disaster resilience vehicles. Promises won’t save shorelines.
- Freedom of Expression: Protecting speech in theory means nothing if journalists and activists live in fear. The CLA is pleased to partner with others to advance this issue. Let’s ensure freedom of expression is not just on paper but in practice; accountability only works if people can speak out.
- Reparations: Reparations are not just about financial compensation. They are about justice and building a more equitable future. We need real commitment to reparative justice.
- Debt Relief: Crushing debt is stifling developing economies. We need innovative solutions to restructure debt and free up resources for education, health, and climate action.
- Finance and Investment: We need to attract investment that fuels green growth and sustainable development. It’s not just about economic returns; it’s about building resilient communities.
- Health Justice: Access to healthcare is a basic right, yet many Commonwealth nations face severe healthcare inequalities. We need to prioritize equitable healthcare solutions, especially in response to future pandemics and ongoing health crises.
- People with Disabilities. It is important to make opportunities available to people with disabilities. As an advocate for the disabled community, I can say these meetings have great potential still to be realized to benefit them.
- Commonwealth Resources: The Commonwealth Foundation already does significant work; let’s push for more resources to be directed to critical areas like climate adaptation, human rights, health justice, and reparations.
The CLA stands ready to assist in all these areas as it becomes fit for purpose. We revisit most if not all of these areas at our Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta from the 6th – 10th of April 2025, to which I cordially invite all of you.
This was not my first CHOGM. My first CHOGM was Nassau 1985. CHOHM has expanded a lot since then. But amid the typical CHOGM chaos, there was remarkable focus on intensifying sanctions to bring an end to apartheid in South Africa. Those were the finest hours of the last PM Lynden Pindling, SG Sonny Ramphal, and others. It is hoped that CHOGM Samoa will be remembered for climate and health justice.
If the work of the fora and side events are to make it into the final communique, it will be necessary to have those events say three months before the foreign ministers or heads meet.
CHOGM Samoa should be more than a talk shop and good intentions expressed in a final communique; let’s have the technical and financial resources to make a real difference.
Dr. Peter D. Maynard KC
President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association
