Is the Commonwealth relevant in modern world?
growing economies in the world, there are five G20 countries there, it’s also got about 31 very small or vulnerable states and in a way I think the strength of the Commonwealth is in its diversity.’’
At the opening, the Queen made the same point - that the Commonwealth’s power lies in its stretch, covering 2.4 billion people.
The preservation of international peace and prosperity against forces that would seek global destabilisation, was one all Commonwealth members tended to agree on.
New Zealand is one of the powerful Five Eyes countries - the world’s biggest surveillance network, that alco includes the UK, the United States, Canada and Australia.
All bar the US are Commonwealth countries and used CHOGM to hold a formal meeting on the sidelines. A declaration on security monitoring is an expected outcome of the forum.
The other common enemy is climate change and CHOGM leaders, including the UK’s Theresa May, have laid the groundwork for the Blue Charter.
It would apply the 16 principles and values of the Commonwealth Charter, including environmental protection, good governance, justice and peace, human rights and gender equality, and recognition of the needs of vulnerable nations and young people.
With New Zealand’s territorial waters making up the biggest exclusive economic zone in the world, ‘‘it’s a good forum for us to show some leadership,’’ said Ardern.
Nevertheless, the summit was by far the least important entry on her schedule, so the theme ‘‘towards a common future’’ doesn’t really mean much.
But the point might be that now, more than ever, it could.