EDITOR’SNOTE
CLIMATE CHANGEAND CHOGM OUTCOMES
The Editor’s Note
The impact of climate change on the Commonwealth is hard to ignore. As the Commonwealth Leaders’ Statement on Climate Action issued at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in November 2015 stated, the Commonwealth is “deeply concerned about the threat posed by climate change, which continues to grow and to put at risk the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of our member states and citizens. Many of our most vulnerable states and communities are already facing the adverse impacts of climate change, which can roll back decades of development gains; for some it represents an existential threat. Some are already suffering significant loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. The consequences of climate change can be a national catastrophe, requiring urgent responses and adequate support.” This issue of The Parliamentarian examines the impact of climate change on the Commonwealth and the role that Parliamentarians can play in this highly complex issue. Hon. Cedric Thomas Frolick MP (South Africa) outlines the role of Legislators in climate change using the case of South Africa and his experience as President of GLOBE International. Shri Kirti Yardhan Singh (India) gives a perspective from one of the largest members of the Commonwealth, India, on the impact of climate change.
Kadaga MP (Uganda) looks at the impact of climate change on women.
Jeffrey Hyland, Editor The Parliamentarian, Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association
The establishment of the Commonwealth Small States Centre of Excellence was a key outcome of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, which preceded the COP21 conference, and complements the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in representing Small Branches. Dr George Vella, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Malta) examines the role that the new Centre will play.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta was unique in that there were, for the first time, four different Commonwealth Forums alongside the main CHOGM events.
The effect of climate change on Small Branches of the CPA is examined by Hon. Dr Patrick Herminie (Seychelles). The newly elected Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Ms. Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani MPA (Balochistan, Pakistan) profiles her region of the country that has been severely impacted by climate change and looks at the impact of initiatives to help local people. Following the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris, Robert Ondhowe (UNEP) looks at its outcomes and the role of Parliamentarians in climate change and the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Rt Hon. Rebecca
4 | The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One
For the first time, the Commonwealth Women’s Forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss gender and equality in the Commonwealth. One of the speakers at the newly established Women’s Forum, Professor Margaret Wilson (New Zealand) is a former Speaker of Parliament and her article sees the event as a significant landmark on the path to women’s equality. A fellow speaker at the event, Hon. Fiona Mactaggart MP (UK) outlines the role of political parties in promoting women’s representation. The Commonwealth Business Forum saw business leaders come together with Commonwealth Leaders to look at the role that business can play in securing a better future for the world’s citizens. Lord Jonathan Marland (UK) is the Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and reports on the outcomes of the Commonwealth Business Forum.
Engaging with civil society in the Commonwealth and ensuring that youth voices are heard were also key emphases for the CHOGM events. Vijay Krishnarayan (Commonwealth Foundation) reports on the Commonwealth People’s Forum and Katherine Ellis (Commonwealth Secretariat) reports on the Commonwealth Youth Forum which both had positive outcomes for participants. Youth engagement is a vital focus of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Commonwealth Youth
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
