Latest news with #CommonwealthSecretariat
Scoop
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Celebrating Commonwealth Youth's Contributions Towards Achieving A Better And Fairer World
08 August 2025 Over 200 youth leaders from across the Commonwealth joined the Commonwealth Youth Council for the inaugural Youth Leadership Consultative Dialogue in Windhoek, Namibia. The event was led by Namibia's Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, the Hon Sanet Steemkamp, and included other senior government officials and representatives from the Commonwealth Secretariat Throughout August, the Commonwealth Secretariat is celebrating the extraordinary role that young people as agents of change, leaders, and mobilisers in promoting development These celebrations centre around International Youth Day (IYD) on 12 August 2025, a day when the world acknowledges the vital role of youth leaders, amplifies their voices and work and focuses attention on ensure that they have an enabling environment to help them reach their full potential. IYD 2025 is significant because it marks 10 years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, launched in 2015. A series of events has been rolled out by the Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with like-minded partners, to mark this International Youth Day. The 2030 Agenda, which encompasses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is part of the UN's global initiative to coordinate action to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people can enjoy peace and prosperity. Youth dialogue in Namibia From 04 - 08 August 2025, 250 young leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders gathered in Windhoek, Namibia, for the inaugural Youth Leadership Consultative Dialogue. The event was organised by the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and hosted by the Government of Namibia. The CYC is an independent body, supported by the Secretariat, that is the official representative voice of the 1.6 billion young people in the Commonwealth. In her address at the CYC event, Namibia's Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, the Hon Sanet Steemkamp said: 'Let this Dialogue be remembered for its purpose. For the meaningful relationships it ignites, the policy shifts it inspires, and the belief it affirms that young people across the Commonwealth are not just ready to lead, they are already doing so. "We anticipate a forward-looking, youth-informed Windhoek Declaration, one that reflects lived experiences, real aspirations, and implementable actions'. The event was streamed live on the ministry's Facebook channel. The Chair of the CYC, Joshua Opey, highlighted the importance of reimagining youth leadership and developing strategies to promote global youth agendas. He said: 'Amid rapidly changing dynamics which continue to worsen the challenges young people face and in the face of growing concern for the future of young people globally from rising unemployment rates, mental health issues, the climate crises among others, you will agree with me that this should be a time where we increase resource allocation to youth-led organisations like the CYC to put youths at the fore of driving change.' Other youth-led engagements across the Commonwealth include: 10 August: A pre-summit webinar, featuring the work of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, will take place ahead of the Model Commonwealth Summit 2025. The summit will take place in Accra, Ghana, from 18-20 September, and will bring together young leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss strategies to solve pressing challenges facing young people. 12 August: A digital broadcast, Commonwealth Youth Spotlight, will highlight the achievements of past winners of the Commonwealth Youth Awards, spotlighting young visionaries making a difference in their communities, and launch the call for nominations for the 2026 awards. This edition of the awards is being staged in partnership with the Commonwealth Association. 12 August: The Commonwealth Secretariat is participating in the official UN observance of International Youth Day, which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and UN DESA. The event will connect youth voices from all continents, including representatives from the 56 Commonwealth member countries. 22 August: The London Youth Art Health Summit, to be held at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, will provide an innovative platform for youth engagement in the arts and wellbeing. Commenting on the long-standing commitment to supporting young leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, the Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Layne Robinson, said: 'The Commonwealth's commitment to empowering young people runs deep. For over half a century, the Commonwealth Youth Programme has continued to energise, uplift, and amplify youth voices, recognising their role as innovators, advocates, and leaders. By investing in young leaders, youth-led initiatives and platforms, the Commonwealth ensures that young people are not merely participants but essential partners in shaping policies and driving progress'. This year's IYD events build upon over 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme's support for young people.
Arab News
29-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan moves to draft first esports policy with UK and Commonwealth support
KARACHI: Pakistan is taking initial steps toward developing its first national esports policy and has sought support from the British Esports Federation and Commonwealth Secretariat to help shape the effort, the country's IT minister said on Tuesday. The remarks came after a meeting between Pakistan's Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and representatives from the British Esports Federation and Commonwealth Secretariat. The collaboration aims to guide the policy's development and support the formation of a national esports federation. 'We have immense young talent [but] commercialization is the bottleneck,' Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said during the meeting, according to an official statement released later. 'We seek your support to help Pakistani developers reach international markets.' While Pakistan has a growing number of young game developers, some already publishing on platforms like SEGA and Nintendo, most lack access to funding, publishing infrastructure or export pathways. The statement said the development of a national policy is aimed at formally recognizing esports as an economic sector and unlocking its potential as a structured platform for youth-driven innovation and employment. The policy under development includes a strategy focused on training in game-tech, youth-led funding schemes and support for bringing locally developed games to market. Officials said the policy will be shaped using international best practices and aligned with Pakistan's wider goals for youth engagement and digital innovation. Pakistan considers IT a priority sector in its broader economic strategy, hoping to boost digital exports, reduce youth unemployment and build global partnerships in creative tech. The inclusion of esports in this agenda reflects a shift toward recognizing digital entertainment as a viable economic contributor.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Commonwealth Trade Ministers And Business Leaders Convene In Namibia To Tackle Global Trade Headwinds
Press Release – The Commonwealth Set against a backdrop of mounting global trade tensions, climate volatility, and deepening investment gaps, these meetings are more than gatherings, they represent a coordinated push to reset trade relationships for a more resilient and inclusive … As global trade grapples with rising tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and shifting economic alliances, the Commonwealth is stepping forward with a united vision for inclusive, sustainable, and digitally enabled trade. From 18–20 June 2025, Windhoek will host the inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit (CBS) alongside the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM), marking the first time these flagship events will be held on African soil. Co-hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, the meetings will bring together government ministers, CEOs, investors, and innovators from all 56 Commonwealth member states, spanning five continents and representing 2.7 billion people. Set against a backdrop of mounting global trade tensions, climate volatility, and deepening investment gaps, these meetings are more than gatherings, they represent a coordinated push to reset trade relationships for a more resilient and inclusive future. 'At a time when global trade is being reshaped by uncertainty and fragmentation, the Commonwealth offers something rare: trusted partnerships, a shared commitment to fairness, and a 21% trade cost advantage,' said Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will lead her first trade ministerial since taking office in April 2025. 'These meetings are not just about dialogue, they're about delivery. Across the Commonwealth, we are working together to build a trade system that works for all, one that creates real opportunities for women striving to grow their businesses, for young people seeking decent jobs, and for communities working to overcome economic hardship.' H.E. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade, emphasised that Namibia's strategic location, rich culture, and commitment to international partnership make it an ideal host to foster dialogue, promote intra-Commonwealth trade, and explore innovative solutions to global challenges. Trade as a Catalyst for Resilience and Renewal At the CTMM, ministers will focus on helping member states, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), better withstand external shocks. Discussions will tackle structural challenges such as limited export diversification, rising debt, energy insecurity, and digital exclusion. While tariffs often draw attention, it is the combined impact of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, including overlapping standards and customs delays, that most severely hampers trade. Ministers will explore regulatory alignment and digital trade facilitation as practical solutions to reduce these barriers and unlock intra-Commonwealth trade. A key priority will be adding value to Commonwealth assets, especially critical minerals, by shifting from raw extraction to local processing, job creation, and entry into high-value global supply chains. Other areas of focus include: Enhancing food and energy security through climate-resilient trade Advancing sustainable energy and digital infrastructure Attracting blended finance for trade-related infrastructure Coordinating Commonwealth positions for the 2026 WTO Ministerial in Cameroon Chris Southworth, Co-Chair of the Business-to-Business Cluster of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda and Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce UK, said: 'The Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting and Business Summit are an opportunity to stand up for the multilateral trading system at a time when the system is under threat and boost business confidence by accelerating efforts to make trade cheaper, faster, simpler and more sustainable and inclusive for all.' The summit will be co-chaired by H.E. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia Minister of International Relations and Trade, and Hon. Faleomanavaega Titimaea Tafua, Samoa's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour and the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. At its core, this work is about people, helping Commonwealth citizens thrive in an era of uncertainty by opening up pathways to prosperity, stability, and shared growth. Speaking ahead of the Summit, Secretary-General Botchwey summed it up: 'This is not just about fixing trade. It's about future-proofing our economies for generations to come.'
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Commonwealth Trade Ministers And Business Leaders Convene In Namibia To Tackle Global Trade Headwinds
As global trade grapples with rising tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and shifting economic alliances, the Commonwealth is stepping forward with a united vision for inclusive, sustainable, and digitally enabled trade. From 18–20 June 2025, Windhoek will host the inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit (CBS) alongside the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM), marking the first time these flagship events will be held on African soil. Co-hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, the meetings will bring together government ministers, CEOs, investors, and innovators from all 56 Commonwealth member states, spanning five continents and representing 2.7 billion people. Set against a backdrop of mounting global trade tensions, climate volatility, and deepening investment gaps, these meetings are more than gatherings, they represent a coordinated push to reset trade relationships for a more resilient and inclusive future. 'At a time when global trade is being reshaped by uncertainty and fragmentation, the Commonwealth offers something rare: trusted partnerships, a shared commitment to fairness, and a 21% trade cost advantage,' said Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will lead her first trade ministerial since taking office in April 2025. 'These meetings are not just about dialogue, they're about delivery. Across the Commonwealth, we are working together to build a trade system that works for all, one that creates real opportunities for women striving to grow their businesses, for young people seeking decent jobs, and for communities working to overcome economic hardship.' H.E. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade, emphasised that Namibia's strategic location, rich culture, and commitment to international partnership make it an ideal host to foster dialogue, promote intra-Commonwealth trade, and explore innovative solutions to global challenges. Trade as a Catalyst for Resilience and Renewal At the CTMM, ministers will focus on helping member states, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), better withstand external shocks. Discussions will tackle structural challenges such as limited export diversification, rising debt, energy insecurity, and digital exclusion. While tariffs often draw attention, it is the combined impact of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, including overlapping standards and customs delays, that most severely hampers trade. Ministers will explore regulatory alignment and digital trade facilitation as practical solutions to reduce these barriers and unlock intra-Commonwealth trade. A key priority will be adding value to Commonwealth assets, especially critical minerals, by shifting from raw extraction to local processing, job creation, and entry into high-value global supply chains. Other areas of focus include: Enhancing food and energy security through climate-resilient trade Advancing sustainable energy and digital infrastructure Attracting blended finance for trade-related infrastructure Coordinating Commonwealth positions for the 2026 WTO Ministerial in Cameroon Chris Southworth, Co-Chair of the Business-to-Business Cluster of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda and Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce UK, said: 'The Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting and Business Summit are an opportunity to stand up for the multilateral trading system at a time when the system is under threat and boost business confidence by accelerating efforts to make trade cheaper, faster, simpler and more sustainable and inclusive for all.' The summit will be co-chaired by H.E. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia Minister of International Relations and Trade, and Hon. Faleomanavaega Titimaea Tafua, Samoa's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour and the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. At its core, this work is about people, helping Commonwealth citizens thrive in an era of uncertainty by opening up pathways to prosperity, stability, and shared growth. Speaking ahead of the Summit, Secretary-General Botchwey summed it up: 'This is not just about fixing trade. It's about future-proofing our economies for generations to come.'
