Commonwealth Summit

The 2012 Commonwealth Summit concluded in Perth, Australia on October 30, 2011.  The group collectively pledged to fight terrorism by preventing the use of their territories for terrorist acts or financing and also vowed to accelerate efforts to combat piracy and strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

The 54-nation bloc also committed to “unequivocally preventing the use of their territories for the support, incitement to violence or commission of terrorist acts”.

They also agreed to work towards implementing the necessary legal framework for the suppression of terrorist financing, and preventing the raising and use of funds by terrorists, their front organisations, and transnational terrorist organisations.

A commitment was also made to “accelerate efforts to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism”.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari represented India.

On the international security front, piracy was another issue that figured prominently in the communique as the group maintained their commitment to a stable and secure national and international environment.

CHOGM also called for encouraging the international community to mobilise additional funding for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as also combating proliferation and trafficking of illicit small arms and light weapons.

The Commonwealth leaders also advocated the embracing of moderation as an important value to overcome all forms of extremism, as called for in the “Global Movement of the Moderates” and improving legislation and capacity in tackling cyber crime and other cyber space security threats, including through the Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum's Cyber Crime Initiative.

The group also affirmed support to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and its Seventh Review Conference in December 2011 and pledged to continue tackling the root causes of conflict, including through the promotion of democracy, development and strong legitimate institutions.

Heralding an end to over 300 years of English Constitutional tradition, Commonwealth nations approved changes to the rule of succession, which passed the crown to the oldest male heir, to allow the first-born daughters to inherit the British throne. The changes to the outdated laws would also allow heirs who marry Roman Catholics to inherit the throne. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state of 16 Commonwealth “realms”, including Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The 2013 CHOGM meet will be hosted by Sri Lanka.