Every year on the second Monday of March, Fifty-three sovereign nations join hands to celebrate their membership of a very special organisation, the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth is truly unique as it is home to over two billion people from diverse backgrounds, united in their commitment to the values and principles embedded in the Commonwealth Charter.
The theme for Commonwealth day 2014, ‘Team Commonwealth', truly epitomises the foundation upon which the Commonwealth was established. The belief that all member states, irrespective of size, are joined by a collective spirit, respectful of the differences that exist between us yet unified in the common goals we share.The Commonwealth has always prided itself on being an organisation in which all nations are committed to working together in partnership and, most importantly, as equals.
The Maldives values its membership of the Commonwealth. The Maldives believes that the Commonwealth provides an important platform for small states, like the Maldives, in shaping outcomes in critical international issues. Under the leadership of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the Maldives reiterates its commitment in making the Commonwealth a more relevant organisation that is able to help its member-States to achieve sustainable growth with equity and inclusivity. The Maldives would also work towards making the Commonwealth a more responsive, accountable, and transparent body. Most importantly, the Maldives would work with other member-States in our effort in redirecting the Commonwealth's focus towards building the economic and political resilience of the organisation's small states that make up more than two-thirds of the Commonwealth's membership.
The spirit of Commonwealth is worth celebrating. On this momentous day, I take this opportunity to urge all nations of the Commonwealth to celebrate the vibrant team spirit that exists within the Commonwealth of Nations. It is this spirit, which will most notably be on display at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow that inspires our youth, unlocks opportunities in communities, and improves lives throughout the Commonwealth.
I am confident that the Commonwealth will remain a peoples' organisation; an organisation that is closer to the hearts of the peoples of its member-States; an organisation that helps its member-States in democratic consolidation, in building institutions, in developing the rule of law, and above all, in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. For, equality and inclusivity within the Commonwealth family are vital in ensuring we remain an organisation that represents the values embedded in the new Commonwealth Charter.
ENDS.