CAA joined other Commonwealth Civil Society organisations to make recommendations for the CHOGM Communiqué to the Commonwealth Committee of the Whole (COW) comprising foreign ministers of member nations, which met at Marlborough House, London on 16 October 2013.
The COW drafts the Communiqué for debate at the Meeting of the Heads in Sri Lanka.
The civil society statement stressed the beneficial role and relevance of Civil Society within the Commonwealth family and called on the Commonwealth to play a leading role in shaping the post 2015 urban development agenda as one of 6 key recommendations;
“Population growth and migration pose significant challenges to development planners and engineers, particularly in developing countries where 90% of urban population growth in the period to 2030 will take place. Rapid urbanisation, population growth and migration, raise critical issues of infrastructure, land acquisition and use, building standards and costs, shelter, health and sanitation, or provision of education and social services. In view of the Commonwealth’s commitment to sustainability under pillars 5 and 6 of the Secretariat’s strategic plan, we call on the Commonwealth to play a leading role in in shaping the post-2015 urban development agenda and to review where, across this spectrum of issues, it can focus its efforts to maximise impact, also noting its particular potential for promoting sustainability in management of global marine resources, related livelihoods and SIDS’ development. We ask Commonwealth leaders to support the inclusion of decent work, social protection and respect for workers’ rights in the post-2015 development agenda. [submissions from CHEC, CAA, CAP, CASLE]”
Click to read full statement to COW