Commonwealth SG Patricia Scotland calls for global solidarity

African leaders gathered at a summit have called for a faster reform process in overhauling the global financial architecture to ensure equity on the table. CNBC Africa's Fifi Peter had an exclusive interview with Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, who emphasized the critical need for global solidarity to tackle the challenges faced not only by Africa but by the entire world. Scotland highlighted the importance of collaboration over competition in addressing global issues, pointing out that 93% of commitments made globally have not been fulfilled, stressing the urgency for action rather than just discussions. Scotland commended the commitment shown by African leaders in launching an initiative to pool resources from multi-development banks to fund the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted the focus on action during the summit, particularly in areas like finance reform, climate change, education, and digital transformation. With 21 out of 56 Commonwealth member states being African nations, the continent's voice was powerful in advocating for fairness in financial borrowing, urgent climate action, and empowering the youth with necessary skills for the future. The Commonwealth has been actively involved in fostering global cooperation and knowledge-sharing to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. Scotland mentioned ongoing efforts to analyze each member country's contributions to the goals, aiming to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. By leveraging technical expertise and partnerships, the Commonwealth is working towards bridging the digital divide and ensuring that young people are equipped for the demands of the 21st century. Reflecting on past successes, Scotland highlighted the importance of unity among nations, drawing parallels with the Commonwealth's achievements in consensus-building on global issues. She pointed out that collective action through platforms like the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub has already made a significant impact, delivering millions in assistance to vulnerable countries for climate action. Addressing the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating divisions, Scotland stressed the need for the global South to stand together in solidarity. She likened the collaborative approach to a relay team, emphasizing the importance of passing the baton of progress from one hand to another without dropping it. By showcasing examples of successful collaboration within the Commonwealth, such as the agreement on climate finance initiatives, Scotland underscored the power of unity in achieving common goals. As the summit concluded, the call for global solidarity and actionable measures reverberated through the discussions, setting a tone of determination and cooperation among African leaders and their global counterparts. The commitment to work together towards a more equitable and sustainable future was palpable, with a shared understanding that challenges like climate change and economic disparities require collective efforts to overcome.