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Identify and evaluate the sources of future growth including the Commonwealth advantage

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Identify and evaluate the sources of future growth including the Commonwealth advantage

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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the lives of 2.4 billion Commonwealth citizens and a global loss of lives numbering over 3 million (The Commonwealth, 2021). The sources of future growth for the Commonwealth include the previously mentioned Blue Recovery programme by utilising easy ocean access for the nations. Further, strengthening and reforming the multilateral trading system is another source of future growth by adopting an effective rules-based paradigm by capitalising on the platform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) (The Commonwealth, 2021). This new system must shift away from the dominance of any country to avoid events like the Trade war between USA and China and allow members to capitalise on the system without hegemony by any country or country.

Further, enhancements of support measures for Least Developed Countries (LDC) and graduates are another pathway to recovery for the Commonwealth (The Commonwealth, 2021). Here, graduates refer to the countries just coming out of the category of LDC to become developing countries meaning they are practically still close to being an LDC, signifying low capacity of sustenance and power. Through this initiative, the Commonwealth may enable the rapid growth of LDCs, which will have an immense effect on the world economy as a lot of new nations will competitively enter the global stage. This will allow the Commonwealth countries to start trade with these countries to enable them to rapidly increase their trade and result in their economic recovery.

Further, the utilisation of new trading opportunities in the post-Brexit era is another prospective path to recovery for the association of nations (The Commonwealth, 2021). The UK is a prime destination for business operations and represents a huge prospect for growth and recovery, and as it exits the EU bloc, it becomes more accessible for the Commonwealth nations. This may be utilised by the association of nations, of which the UK is a founding member, through an increase in trade and the lowering of various trade barriers to ensure the rapid growth of trade and recovery of the countries. It will also enable greater participation of the UK in the recovery process, leading to better actualisation of this approach to recovery.

Lastly, a significant prospect lies in the revival of the tourism and travel sector which is especially important for smaller nations of the Commonwealth (The Commonwealth, 2022). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant restrictions, especially because of the imposition of lockdowns in different nations mandating the closure of operations, tourism and travel also had to be halted. This led to huge losses for countries, which depended heavily on tourism revenues, especially the smaller nations of the Commonwealth. Therefore, the revival of this industry will result in the rapid recovery of smaller nations, which will allow them to enter the global market increasing trade prospects, and easy recovery of the Commonwealth nations.

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COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
Most common symptoms: Less common symptoms:

sore throat

headache

aches and pains

diarrhoea

a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

red or irritated eyes.

Serious symptoms:

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

loss of speech or mobility, or confusion

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.

On average it takes 5-6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

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Towards a ‘blue recovery’ in the Commonwealth

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Towards a ‘blue recovery’ in the Commonwealth

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We have one interconnected ocean that sustains life on this planet. Yet it is under threat from a myriad of human pressures, such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing, with no holistic approach to tackle these.

We have one interconnected ocean that sustains life on this planet. Yet it is under threat from a myriad of human pressures, such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing, with no holistic approach to tackle these.

Worldwide, marine conservation and other ocean solutions continue to be severely underfunded, ocean climate change under-researched, while global frameworks for governing the ocean, particularly beyond national jurisdictions, remain weak and inadequate.

Many opportunities have been missed, but 2021 presents a rare opportunity to tackle these ocean challenges, and the Commonwealth Blue Charter offers a unique platform to catalyse multilateral actions to do so.

2021 - A 'make or break' year

The coronavirus pandemic has compelled governments to overhaul national, regional and international priorities. It has also taught us that we can adapt to new realities. A growing call for a "green recovery" has put sustainability as a realistic option for post-pandemic rebuilding strategies.

Two major global summits this year - the UN conferences on biodiversity (CBD-COP15) and climate change (UNFCCC-COP26) - present a prime opportunity for ocean states to also rally round a post-Covid "blue recovery".

Such a step forward would highlight the central role of the ocean in upholding vast natural ecosystems, the climate system and economic systems. The focus would be on the sustainable development of the global ocean economy, which was already generating $2.5 trillion worth of goods and services each year before the pandemic, on top of an estimated asset value of $24 trillion.

In particular, this could help support vulnerable ocean-based economies that have been most severely impacted by Covid-19, such as small island states.

A blue recovery would also maximise innovative financing for ocean protection ('blue finance'), and explore new ways of creating economic value, such as monetising the carbon storage capacity of coastal and marine ecosystems ('blue carbon').

A fresh take on multilateral ocean action

With 47 out of its 54 member countries bordering the ocean, 25 being small island developing states - or 'large ocean states' - the Commonwealth is well-placed as a global leader on ocean action to champion a thriving blue economy in a post-Covid world.

The historic Commonwealth Blue Charter, adopted in 2018, captures the shared commitment of 54 countries to working together to actively solve ocean-related challenges.

To date, 15 countries have stepped forward to lead 10 action groups, working on a range of ocean issues. Focus areas and champion countries include: sustainable blue economy (co-led by Kenya, Antigua & Barbuda); sustainable aquaculture (led by Cyprus); coral reef protection and restoration (Australia, Belize, Mauritius); mangrove ecosystems and livelihoods (Sri Lanka); ocean acidification (New Zealand); ocean and climate change (Fiji); ocean observations (Canada); marine plastic pollution (known as the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, co-led by the United Kingdom, Vanuatu); marine protected areas (Seychelles) and sustainable coastal fisheries (Kiribati, Maldives).

Forty-six countries (and counting) have signed up to one or more of these action groups, supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, along with a range of partners from the private sector, academia, civil society and the philanthropic sector.

Action-oriented

In a world of complex multilateral structures and well-intended declarations, the Commonwealth Blue Charter seeks to support existing global ocean commitments by bringing a fresh approach focused on active and innovative collaboration.

As membership of the action groups is voluntary, countries that do sign up are already motivated to deliver real progress on a particular issue. These action groups have met over the past year and developed joint action plans and priorities. Different action groups also feed into each other, given the strongly interrelated nature of their work areas.

Today, hundreds of focal points and partners from across the Commonwealth use the Commonwealth Blue Charter's online network to share strategies, exchange information and highlight best practices.

More than 60 detailed case studies of good and best practices have been developed and are being shared on the network, in addition to 10 training programmes and webinars delivered by the Secretariat, benefitting thousands of professionals in the ocean industries.

Collaborators from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Royal Foundation's Earthshot Prize, Vulcan Inc., the Nekton Foundation, and eXXpedition, among others, are working together with the Blue Charter family of nations on targeted projects and partnerships.

Very soon, countries will also be able to leverage a new database that aims to support them in accessing US$ 170 million of available funding for ocean projects.

Working together

Moving forward, the Commonwealth Blue Charter will continue to be a testament to what can be achieved when countries work together, sharing passion and commitment, to save the ocean and the livelihoods that depend on it. A thriving blue economy is indeed within reach.
To find out how to join the action, visit https://bluecharter.thecommonwealth.org/ or email

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Towards a 'blue recovery' in the Commonwealth

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We have one interconnected ocean that sustains life on this planet. Yet it is under threat from a myriad of human pressures, such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing, with no holistic approach to tackle these. We have one interconnected ocean that sustains life on this planet.

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US$345 billion loss in trade for Commonwealth countries due to pandemic

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Commonwealth countries are estimated to have lost up to US$345 billion worth of trade in 2020, including $60 billion in intra-Commonwealth trade, according to 2021 Commonwealth Trade Review on “Energising Commonwealth Trade in a Digital World: Paths to Recovery Post-COVID”.

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Identify and evaluate the sources of future growth including the Commonwealth advantage

# data[].attributes.subject
Identify and evaluate the sources of future growth including the Commonwealth advantage

# data[].attributes.body
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the lives of 2.4 billion Commonwealth citizens and a global loss of lives numbering over 3 million (The Commonwealth, 2021). The sources of future growth for the Commonwealth include the previously mentioned Blue Recovery programme by utilising easy ocean access for the nations. Further, strengthening and reforming the multilateral trading system is another source of future growth by adopting an effective rules-based paradigm by capitalising on the platform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) (The Commonwealth, 2021). This new system must shift away from the dominance of any country to avoid events like the Trade war between USA and China and allow members to capitalise on the system without hegemony by any country or country.

Further, enhancements of support measures for Least Developed Countries (LDC) and graduates are another pathway to recovery for the Commonwealth (The Commonwealth, 2021). Here, graduates refer to the countries just coming out of the category of LDC to become developing countries meaning they are practically still close to being an LDC, signifying low capacity of sustenance and power. Through this initiative, the Commonwealth may enable the rapid growth of LDCs, which will have an immense effect on the world economy as a lot of new nations will competitively enter the global stage. This will allow the Commonwealth countries to start trade with these countries to enable them to rapidly increase their trade and result in their economic recovery.

Further, the utilisation of new trading opportunities in the post-Brexit era is another prospective path to recovery for the association of nations (The Commonwealth, 2021). The UK is a prime destination for business operations and represents a huge prospect for growth and recovery, and as it exits the EU bloc, it becomes more accessible for the Commonwealth nations. This may be utilised by the association of nations, of which the UK is a founding member, through an increase in trade and the lowering of various trade barriers to ensure the rapid growth of trade and recovery of the countries. It will also enable greater participation of the UK in the recovery process, leading to better actualisation of this approach to recovery.

Lastly, a significant prospect lies in the revival of the tourism and travel sector which is especially important for smaller nations of the Commonwealth (The Commonwealth, 2022). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant restrictions, especially because of the imposition of lockdowns in different nations mandating the closure of operations, tourism and travel also had to be halted. This led to huge losses for countries, which depended heavily on tourism revenues, especially the smaller nations of the Commonwealth. Therefore, the revival of this industry will result in the rapid recovery of smaller nations, which will allow them to enter the global market increasing trade prospects, and easy recovery of the Commonwealth nations.

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Stream Elevator Pitch by andrarusu on desktop and mobile. Play over 265 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.

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Trade in the Fourth Industrial Revolutio

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Trade in the Fourth Industrial Revolutio