How common is the wealth?
"In the Commonwealth, wealth is not common," Mr Abdulrasaq Ademowo, an economist with a consulting firm in Lagos, told Daily Independent, emphasising that in the Commonwealth, billions of people live on less than two dollars a day. And Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don Mckinnon, in a foreword to in his 2003 Report tagged Development and Democracy did acknowledge that terrorism, armed conflicts, hunger, poverty and disease have already become some of the hallmarks of the first three years of a this millennium.

 

How common is the wealth?

Poor nations in the Commonwealth fold have realised that an adverse agreement could be worse than none at all, submits Development & Real Sector Reporter, Ntai Bagshaw

“In the Commonwealth, wealth is not common,” Mr Abdulrasaq Ademowo, an economist with a consulting firm in Lagos, told Daily Independent, emphasising that in the Commonwealth, billions of people live on less than two dollars a day. And Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don Mckinnon, in a foreword to in his 2003 Report tagged Development and Democracy did acknowledge that terrorism, armed conflicts, hunger, poverty and disease have already become some of the hallmarks of the first three years of a this millennium.

Yet the secretary-general believes that the Commonwealth will be of immense good to poor member nations, these troubled times notwithstanding. And some analysts agree, asserting that the current regime in the Commonwealth does go some way to restricting the brutal exercise of economic muscle by the more powerful. Noteworthy also is the fact that most people in the group of former British colonies want a global economic system that is more balanced. If the issue of access to life-saving HIV/AIDS drugs were put up to a vote, the overwhelming majority would not support the position of the rich nations pharmaceutical companies.

McKinnon also recognises that globalisation does pose daunting challenges for many Commonwealth countries, particularly small states and least developed countries. He said:

“Many suffer limited access to international markets and have endowed handicaps that increase transaction cost and affect competitiveness.”

To benefit from globalisation, the secretary-general pointed out that poor nations need to dramatically increase their capacities to produce goods and services that are internationally competitive and pursue their trading interests more effectively. He, however, was quick to add that the Commonwealth is helping these states to meet such challenges.

“The Commonwealth Secretariat aims to provide strong analytical and technical support to enable developing member-countries to achieve a higher trajectory of growth and ultimately attain Millennium Development Goals,” McKinnon said. 

These evident lapses notwithstanding, many say the Commonwealth is still relevant today as it was several decades ago. Not surprisingly, McKinnon leads this group.

“I strongly believe that the Commonwealth has never been more relevant or important. We embrace a great diversity of states, large and small, rich and poor, island and landlocked. We provide a unique forum for discussion between the haves and have-nots; our smallest members are listened to, alongside the bigger nations. What other organisation provides the opportunity for a leader from a small island state to sit at the same table with the head of a G8 nation as equals,” he asked.

How exactly does the group differ from other global-regional blocks? Again, the secretary-general explained:

“Our approach counters the growing concern among many countries that they are excluded from international decision-making. We strongly believe that multilateralism has an important role to play in today’s world. By our inclusive and consensus-based approach, we try to minimise or eliminate the kinds of festering resentments that can all too easily erupt in conflict. We don’t always get it right but we often do; when we do, we improve people’s lives and, sometimes, save lives.”

“The promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance is another key area of our work. We have wide experience and strong credentials, and no other organisation has done more to show it means business in upholding its core values. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group remains a unique and resolute custodian of these principles. Similarly, no organisation has done more to win the confidence of its own members. The Commonwealth’s good offices are a byword on every continent and reflect the enormous trust our members have in us, relying on our experience and discretion to help resolve sensitive domestic issues.”

Yet, many still disagree with McKinnon’s position, arguing that the gap between the rich and poor nations in the group is widening by the day. Indeed this issue will occupy the front burner on issues to be trashed out at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria’s sprawling capital city.

Suggesting a path out of the woods, Kevin Watkins of United Kingdom-based Oxfam, urged:

"First, the rich countries need to agree a clear - and short - timeframe for eliminating export subsidies. Second, they need to cut the production subsidies that generate surpluses and facilitate export dumping."

McKinnon agreed, thus:

“The single biggest measure developed countries could take to tackle world poverty would be to end trade distorting subsidies. Because of the lackluster response from those who should know better, I have continued to argue passionately at every opportunity for improved market access, particularly in agriculture, for developing member countries,” he said.

The secretary-general is non the less optimistic about the ability of the on-going summit at tackling these problems.

“Sadly, talk is long and cheap on this topic; delivery is short and progress painfully slow (but) I am sure that the Abuja meeting, under the chairmanship of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, will help us to build on our achievements, generate new partnerships and provide a strong basis for our work in promoting the security, freedom and prosperity of the 1.8 billion people of the Commonwealth,” he said.

As the 52 heads of government sit round to deliberate on these salient matters, experts have listed key issues that must be tackled if any headway is to be achieved. The include:

Agriculture: Developing countries want richer nations to cut huge farming subsidies.

Industrial tariffs: The rich nations want to open developing world markets to exports, but the poor nations fear cheap imports will swamp infant industries

Global investment: The rich nations want rules putting foreign investors on same footing as local firms.

Services: The rich nations want free trade expanded into service sector, where its banks and financiers enjoy advantages.

Special deals for poorer countries: Developing nations want concessions on onerous trade rules and agreements.

In pursuing their deliberation, the heads of government must not loose sight of the fact that - as displayed at the failed WTO Cancun summit - the poor nations are coming to the realisation that having no agreement at all is better than reaching an adverse agreement.