The final countdown to CHOGM has truly begun. After bearing the effect of the pandemic and being postponed, final preparations are now underway for Rwanda to host this important meeting which is happening at a very challenging time. On a global level, the economic environment remains highly fragile, and the onset of high inflation is going to be a tremendous challenge for developing countries. CHOGM is indeed taking place at an opportune time for the Commonwealth member states to truly pause, reflect, and act in a world that is constantly in flux. Over the past few weeks, I have shared my thoughts on the theme that CHOGM has adopted, ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.’ which is extremely timely and relevant.
This week’s focus is on innovating. There is no doubt that innovation remains a cornerstone of a modern economy as attested by the World Economic Forum that focuses on innovating ecosystems as key drivers of competitiveness. The pandemic and the response to it has also highlighted the importance of innovation together with the fast and vast improvements in technologies that are disrupting whole economic sectors and jobs.
However, innovation does not happen in a vacuum. It is here that CHOGM needs to play its role of knowledge transfer and supporting member states, especially the developing and small island economies to leap-frog through innovation. I believe that CHOGM should member states through the following 4Ts.
Transformation
The pandemic and the ensuing recovery have shown the importance of transformation on all levels; public and private. CHOGM needs to support countries to navigate this transformation especially due to the vast technology changes that are underway. The public sector needs to continuously transform itself to ensure that service is not only digital in delivery but also in mind-set and processing. It is for this reason that public sector reform should be key and a key supporting feature for governments to ensure that their public service is transformed to be an innovative hub aimed at improving the service delivery for the population at large.
Technology
Covid has accelerated the adoption of technology by individuals, firms and governments. Going forward, authorities need to ensure that the digital transformation deepens and that the vision is built around becoming a digital society whereby community life, business life and life as citizens become completely intertwined. Where possible, blockchain technology needs to be adopted by the public service to ensure an added level of trust, efficiency, and a signal that Rwanda is digital to the core. All sectors have the potential of embracing technology including agriculture and the coming together of AI, IoT and blockchain can usher in a digital revolution. This will also support the establishment of a strong innovation ecosystem which will attract start-ups as well as researchers in developing new products and services.
Talent
Sustaining the capacity of human talent is critical to any economy and as the world continues changing requiring new skills and talents, education will remain as the strongest policy to build economic social development. Building the right capacity and skillsets of present and of the future workforce is central to any economic recovery and strategy. This needs to include the full spectrum including the current workforce to embrace tomorrow’s skills. Capacity-building within the public service and regulators will be key in sustaining the attractiveness of a jurisdiction and economic hub. Tax policy can also play a key role in attracting foreign talent for knowledge transfer which can be an important catalyst in building and sustaining home-grown talent. The workforce of the future is changing rapidly together with the requirements needed and this needs to be reflected in the educational systems and structures to truly future proof an economy.
Transition
Economies and countries need to continue transitioning into new forms required to remain competitive and attractive. Here the importance of climate change and environmental protection cannot be underestimated and as countries are supported into a more environmentally conscious economy, the green and blue economies can be developed into key economic sectors.
The reform is agenda is long and the resources are limited. It is precisely for this reason that CHOGM needs to play a key role is supporting countries in taking and implementing an innovative reform agenda whilst building an innovation ecosystem. Rwanda has the potential to tangibly support member states by focusing efforts on long-standing initiatives that can support member states well beyond CHOGM. An innovation hub should be considered to help member states run innovation workshops, policies, and reforms with the aim of developing a native innovation ecosystem. The Climate Finance Access Hub managed by the Commonwealth should serve as a case study.
Rwanda is presiding over a critical CHOGM which comes at a unique and delicate juncture. The theme chosen is aspirational yet very relevant. However, member states and their people require the theme to move from words into concrete action and I am confident that Rwanda can rise up to the occasion and leverage its gravitas to ensure that it will leave its legacy to the Commonwealth in the years to come.
The writer is a co-founding partner of Seed, a research-driven advisory firm with offices in Europe and Dubai.
www.seedconsultancy.com | jp@seedconsultancy.com