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C'wealth needs reform for playing due role

Speakers say at roundtable

Staff Correspondent
Commonwealth needs reform and modernisation so that it can play its due role in alleviating poverty, strengthening democracy and combating climate change, said the diplomats, academics and youth leaders at a round table yesterday.
They stressed on a collective approach to face the challenges of global climate change, poverty and financial crisis ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that would be held in Trinidad and Tobago from November 27-29. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the Bangladesh Delegation at the summit
Media Initiative for Public Policy (MIPP) organised the roundtable titled 'Modernisation and Reform of the Commonwealth’atacityhotel.
Taking pan in the discussion as chief guest, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said despite their differences, each and every member state of the Commonwealth has a commitment to freedom and democracy, eradication of poverty and inequality, and ensuring rule of law and equal opportunityfor all.
Though the distances among the member states have shrunk and interests have become more closely aligned, the performance of the Commonwealth is still far from expectations, she said, adding that the Commonwealth needs to do more for its members.
"The Commonwealth must reflect the interests and aspirations of the citizens of the member states, and it should create opportunities and open networks for them in business, education, sports and politics," the minister said.
"In the Commonwealth, we need more common and more wealth. With more common action and common effort, we can create more wealth for us," sheadded.
Eminent citizen Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley moderated the session while MIPP President
Farid Hossain gave the vote of thanks.
Former foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, acting British High Commissioner Duncan Norman, acting Indian High Commissioner MuRta Tomar, acting Pakistan High Commissioner Afzal Mahmud and Shareen Srabon Tflottoma, a representative from the Commonwealth Youth Programme, also spoke at the roundtable
Shamsher said the CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago should focus on climate change issues that affect most of the Commonwealth member states.
"Climate change will not only
lead to loss of lands but also make a huge number of people climate refugees," he added.
Shamsher hoped that the prime minister will strongly voice the concern of Bangladesh which \vil| be the .worst aff ected cou n try by climate change.