LONDON Mar 12 (APP):United Kingdom (UK) Minister of State for Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmed of Wimbledon has said that UK had an unbreakable bond with the Commonwealth.
He stated this while attending a service here to mark the Commonwealth Day.
A statement issued by UK Foreign and Commonwealth office here said that people across the world celebrated Commonwealth Day as the family of 53 nations enters its 70th year.
To mark the occasion, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad attended a service at Westminster Abbey alongside The Queen, senior members of the Royal family, representatives of all 53 Commonwealth countries, schoolchildren, performers and athletes.
Minister of State for the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad, of Wimbledon said “The UK has an unbreakable bond with the Commonwealth; a unique network bound together with the ties between people, common values and shared history”.
Lord Ahmed said “Our common vision for the 2.4 billion people who make up this family of 53 nations is the opportunity for all citizens to thrive regardless of race, religion, gender or any other status.”
As Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, he said the UK was working “with our partners to tackle the great challenges of our time: to ensure quality education for all, to protect our oceans, tackle malaria and boost international trade”.
According to the statement ,the Commonwealth Day celebrations are being held across the country. Many will recognise the huge contribution of the Commonwealth diaspora to the rich fabric of the UK: from Ministers to doctors and nurses, to business people, athletes, and teachers.
Last year’s Commonwealth summit held in London (UK) brought together representatives from all 53 countries where Commonwealth Leaders made commitments to build a fairer, more prosperous, more sustainable future for its 2.4 billion citizens, 60% of whom are under 30, the statement said.
Meanwhile in a message on the occasion of Commonwealth Day (March 11, 2019), the UK Prime Minister Theresa May said. “Today, on Commonwealth Day, I am proud to celebrate the United Kingdom’s part in this diverse family of nations. It is fitting that in the group’s 70th year our theme is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’. In an increasingly interlinked world, the bonds between Commonwealth citizens, organisations and governments provide a uniquely valuable network for international co-operation”.
The Prime Minister said that at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London last year, “my fellow leaders and I agreed concrete steps to achieve a fairer, more secure, more prosperous and more sustainable future for the group’s 2.4 billion people. As Chair-in-Office, the UK is now working with the whole Commonwealth to deliver those commitments”.
Theresa May added that over the past year, “Our leadership of the new Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance with Vanuatu has encouraged 24 member countries to commit to specific actions to tackle marine plastic pollution.
And over 2,300 women-owned businesses have signed up to the UK-funded Commonwealth ‘She Trades’ programme, boosting female entrepreneurship”.
“The collective determination to deliver the Commonwealth’s vision for a common future has never been stronger. I continue to firmly and wholeheartedly believe in the good that this family of nations can do.”
