Commonwealth Heads of State and Government, yesterday, reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable development in a bid to secure a better future.In a communiqué issued at the end of the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the leaders acknowledged that eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge facing the world today, and, therefore, the need to focus on sustainable development.President Paul Kagame was among leaders from the Commonwealth countries who gathered in the Sri Lankan city for the meeting.The leaders expressed support for ongoing work mandated in last year’s United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil, as well discussed the process to develop technological options that propel development and poverty eradication.“The Heads committed to ensuring an integrated and holistic approach to sustainable development. Heads reaffirmed all the Rio principles, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. They acknowledged the importance of the inter-governmental process for elaboration of a set of sustainable development goals that could integrate with the post-2015 development agenda,” the statement reads in part.They also welcomed the progress made by member states in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), noting that, some MDGs have already been met, while more targets are within reach by the 2015.“Previous undertakings and commitments by member states at the Millennium Summit should continue to be pursued actively, particularly on Goal 8 related to Global Partnerships, and that the successful achievement of the MDGs by 2015 should remain a primary global development priority,” they agreed.According to ONE’s 2013 continental Data report (an international advocacy organisation), Rwanda ranks first among 48 African countries that have registered substantial progress in achieving MDGs.The Heads of State agreed that the development agenda should strive to “leave no one behind” and emphasised the need to reflect on core Commonwealth values, including combating poverty, climate change, as well as, the youth and women empowerment.They also accepted the offer of the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, to host the next Summit in 2015.
