TNAG-2353-FCO40-3423-Visits-by-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and--1991 — Page 137

Africa. These changes, so desirable and heartening in themselves, present the world and the Commonwealth with new tasks and challenges.

7.

In the last twenty years, several Commonwealth countries have made significant progress in economic and social development. There is increasing recognition that commit- ment to market principles and openness to international trade and investment can promote economic progress and improve living standards. Many Commonwealth countries are poor and face acute problems, including excessive population growth, crushing poverty, debt burdens and environmental degradation. More than half our member states are particularly vulnerable because of their very small societies.

8.

Only sound and sustainable development can offer these millions the prospect of betterment. Achieving this will require a flow of public and private resources from the developed to the developing world, and domestic and international regimes conducive to the realisation of these goals. Development facilitates the task of tackling a range of problems which affect the whole global community such as environmental degradation, the problems of migration and refugees, the fight against communicable diseases, and drug production and trafficking.

9. Having reaffirmed the principles to which the Commonwealth is committed, and reviewed the problems and challenges which the world, and the Commonwealth as part of it, face, we pledge the Commonwealth and our countries to work with renewed vigour, concentrating especially in the following areas:

the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of the Common- wealth:

democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national cir- cumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government;

fundamental human rights, including equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief;

equality for women, so that they may exercise their full and equal rights;

provision of universal access to education for the population of our countries;

continuing action to bring about the end of apartheid and the establishment of a free. democratic, non-racial and prosperous South Africa:

the promotion of sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty in the countries of the Commonwealth through:

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a stable international economic framework within which growth can be achieved:

sound economic management recognising the central role of the market

economy;

effective population policies and programmes;

sound management of technological change;

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