The commonwealth is not dying - deputy chairman

Climate change takes centre stage as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) unfolds in Sāmoa.

Lord Swire, Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) shared his insights into how the Commonwealth and private sector partnerships are shaping the Pacific region’s future.

“The Commonwealth is now something much more exciting with huge potential,” he told PMN News.

‘It's an incredibly young organisation, 60% of the Commonwealth, I think, now under 30, so it's not dying on its feet.

CHOGM presents a unique opportunity for the Pacific as Sāmoa hosts the meeting and takes over the Commonwealth presidency for the next two years.

This marks the first time the Commonwealth Heads of Government have gathered in the region since the 2011 meeting in Perth.

Sāmoa’s leadership comes at a crucial time, as the Pacific faces existential threats from climate change.

“If the oceans rise by a few metres here and there, some of these islands are going to just disappear,” he said.

“We’ve already seen on some islands populations having to be relocated because their residences have become vulnerable to rising tides.”

Lord Swire noted that climate change “almost dominates everything else” when it came to discussions with Pacific leaders.

Lord Swire served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Devon from 2001 until 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he has had several ministerial roles, most recently as Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, a role he held until July 2016. Photo/Wikipedia

He emphasised that it isn’t just a local issue - it’s a global problem that demands international cooperation.

“The Pacific islands, such as Sāmoa, who need the assistance, are directly in the firing line.”

The solution, Lord Swire believes lies in fostering partnerships between governments and businesses.

“We need to encourage companies to go more green.”

A key part of the Commonwealth Business Forum is helping Pacific nations form these kinds of partnerships, which Swire believes are important for transitioning to more sustainable economies.

He mentioned a recent panel discussion during the CHOGM Business Forum between the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and representatives from Fortescue, an Australian mining company, about the role businesses can play in addressing climate change.

Trade within the Commonwealth presents a significant advantage for small island nations like Sāmoa.

Commonwealth countries, Lord Swire explained, benefit from lower trade costs due to shared legal systems, languages and historical ties.

The question of the Commonwealth's relevance in addressing Pacific issues has been raised.

Some argue that the Commonwealth is out of touch with modern priorities.

However, Lord Swire strongly disagreed.

His great-great-great-grandfather, John Swire (b. 1793), was the founder of the Liverpool textile trading business that later became the Swire Group, the multi-billion USD conglomerate based in Hong Kong. Photo/Swire

“The Commonwealth is not dying on its feet. In fact, it’s growing,” he stated, pointing to countries like Cameroon, Togo, and Gabon who’ve recently joined the organisation.

“These are not countries which had any historic connection with the United Kingdom at all, really,” he said.

For Pacific nations, Swire believes the Commonwealth offers a valuable platform for collaboration and problem-solving, particularly when it comes to climate action.

“We need to have good relations with the Secretariat, and we are a part of the Commonwealth family.”

As Samoa leads the Commonwealth for the next two years, it has the chance to ensure that Pacific priorities—climate action, economic growth, and sustainability—remain at the forefront of the organisation’s global efforts.

Watch Lord Swire's full interview here