Reform C'wealth to meet goals

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for a comprehensive reform to the Commonwealth to achieve the desired goals and meet constantly evolving needs and expectations of the member states.

“We recommend formation of an Eminent Persons Group [EPG] to undertake a comprehensive reform of Commonwealth,” she said at the first executive session of the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Lancaster House in London, reports UNB.

She also called for reorientation and reorganisation of the roles and functions of various Commonwealth bodies. “The roles and functions of various Commonwealth bodies need reorientation and reorganisation to meet the constantly evolving needs and expectations of the member states.”

Hasina stressed the need for revitalisation of the Commonwealth Secretariat through a comprehensive reform to achieve the goals identified in this CHOGM.

She noted with appreciation the Strategic Plan 2020-21 of the Commonwealth Secretariat in line with the objectives of the Charter and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Lauding the Secretariat for developing an annual delivery plan, the PM said the move should be considered as a beginning and part of the broader and comprehensive reform to the Commonwealth to make it more people- and development-centric organisation.