The new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, delivered her inaugural keynote address at Lancaster House during the Welcome Reception, outlining an ambitious vision for the organisation’s future. The event, sponsored by Lady Dentaa and GUBA, brought together key stakeholders and representatives from across the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations.
In her comprehensive address, Botchwey highlighted several critical challenges facing the Commonwealth, including climate change, rising inequality, mounting debt burdens, and threats to democratic processes. She emphasised that the Commonwealth, representing a third of the world’s population across five continents, is uniquely positioned to address these global challenges.
The Secretary-General acknowledged the contributions of her predecessors since 1965 and expressed gratitude to the UK government for its support. She concluded by calling for unity and purposeful action, stating that the Commonwealth must lead “when others hesitate” and build “when others retreat,” emphasising the organisation’s role in creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for all member states.
Read the original article here: https://thecommonwealth.org/speech/keynote-address-commonwealth-secretary-general-hon-shirley-ayorkor-botchwey-her-welcome