Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas says the summit will provide a roadmap to prosperity, sustainability and security

ON THE HISTORIC occasion of 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), being held in London, I extend my felicitations to Diplomat magazine for publishing a special CHOGM edition.

As a founding member of the Commonwealth, Pakistan is keen to make CHOGM 2018 a resounding success. The Summit is taking place at a defining moment in Commonwealth history. To address the multiple challenges faced by the Commonwealth member countries, there is a need to redouble our efforts to ensure rule-based international order; tackle climate change; address intolerance, and resolve disputes hampering peace, prosperity and the regional economic connectivity.

The summit’s theme, Towards a Common Future, is therefore opportune, as it identifies common challenges. I am confident that the summit’s outcome will provide a roadmap that will lead our communities to fairness, prosperity, sustainability and security.

Pakistan believes that the Commonwealth has enormous potential. It offers a ‘Common Advantage,’ which could be leveraged to turn challenges into opportunities. It also offers us a platform to build on our convergences and synergise our policies into a common approach to overcome the challenges.

The true potential of this important organisation can be realised if we use the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’ to spur growth and development. This platform can bring nations closer and create an environment of trust, encourage cooperation and promote shared prosperity.

I am confident that the deliberations and the outcome of CHOGM 2018 will add a new promising chapter in the history of our cherished organisation.