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Commonwealth Chamber: Advancing business ties across events

Commonwealth Chamber: Advancing business ties across events

While our Chairman participated in the Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta, our Treasurer, Uther Charlton-Stevens represented us at the prestigious Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in the UK. The UK Summit, chaired by Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, featured compelling insights on the Commonwealth Advantage from distinguished speakers:
* The newly appointed Hon Shirley Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
* H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, The President of Zanzibar

These parallel events demonstrate the vibrant network and opportunities within the Commonwealth business community. From legal frameworks in Malta to trade discussions in the UK, we’re actively fostering cross-border collaboration and economic growth.

Commonwealth Secretariat holds vital dialogue about AI and its impact on legal systems

Commonwealth Secretariat holds vital dialogue about AI and its impact on legal systems

A thought-provoking discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and access to justice, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat as part of its Rule of Law Conversations series, generated spirited dialogue that extended well beyond the formal proceedings.

The event explored AI’s relationship with the legal profession and its implications for judicial administration. Distinguished legal practitioners, policymakers, academics, and stakeholders convened to assess both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in legal practice.

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Commonwealth Secretary-General, highlighted that upon assuming office, she prioritised the rule of law as central to the Secretariat’s mission. Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, opened the session with a demonstration of AI’s capabilities through an avatar replicating his likeness, gestures, and voice.

Read the original article here: https://thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwealth-secretariat-holds-vital-dialogue-about-ai-and-its-impact-legal-systems

Cyprus to fund desalination plants at hotels to reduce impact of water shortages on tourism

Cyprus to fund desalination plants at hotels to reduce impact of water shortages on tourism

Cyprus has announced plans to subsidise private hotel desalination plants to address water shortages during peak tourist seasons. The initiative comes as the Mediterranean island faces critically low water levels following its second-driest winter in a decade.

The government will provide £2.6 million (€3 million) over two years to support hotel desalination projects, simplifying regulations for small-scale plants in the tourism and agricultural sectors. An additional £6.9 million (€8 million) will be invested in repairing water infrastructure to reduce significant leakage issues, currently estimated at 40%.

The country is expanding its desalination capacity, with four mobile plants due to begin operating in October. These will complement the existing network of four permanent facilities, though one remains inactive due to fire damage. Currently, the permanent plants produce 235,000 cubic metres of fresh water daily.

Cyprus’s dam network, the most extensive per capita in Europe, is operating at just 24.6% capacity, compared to 47.2% last year. With tourism contributing 13.5% to the nation’s GDP and visitor numbers reaching record levels exceeding 4 million in 2023, the water security measures are deemed crucial for the island’s economic stability.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/cyprus-to-fund-desalination-plants-at-hotels-to-reduce-impact-of-water-shortages-on-tourism/ar-AA1BHQMX?ocid=BingNewsVerp

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): Growth and Opportunities in the Commonwealth

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): Growth and Opportunities in the Commonwealth

ESG in full refers to “(E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance” principles. While no official definition of ESG exists, it is agreed to be a holistic management framework of standards for all business-centric stakeholders involved in the structuring of organisations to understand and measure how well their companies/institutions are performing to offset risks and harness opportunities related to environmental, social and governance indicators.

The Commonwealth Blue Charter: Progress Report

The Commonwealth Blue Charter: Progress Report

This progress report was released on 16 June 2022 by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Oceans and Natural Resources Section, with notable contributions from David Sheppard, the Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP); Matthew Goldie-Scot, the Managing Director of the humanitarian strategic consultancy firm Thuso; and, Nina Schoonman, Consultant at Thuso.

The Commonwealth Blue Charter: Ocean Action Report

The Commonwealth Blue Charter: Ocean Action Report

In May 2022, Asia Investment Research, a research organisation jointly set up by the investment finance firm China Investment Research and Dezan & Shira Associates, issued a special Economics and Trade feature titled “Bangladesh Trade, Development & Economic...

Rethinking Gender Parity and FDI

Rethinking Gender Parity and FDI

Gender disparity is arguably one of the greatest impediments to global development. The FDI’s landscape is often an overlooked avenue in gender equality discourse. Yet, it propels tapping equally into the reservoir of capabilities.

Unveiling Rwanda at the Inclusive Fintech Forum 2023: A Journey of Progress and Innovation

Unveiling Rwanda at the Inclusive Fintech Forum 2023: A Journey of Progress and Innovation

Hello Rwanda! Like always, it has always been my pleasure to visit here. I can truly say now that it is one of my favorite places in the world. I mean I’ve never been in love with a country more than this landlocked country bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

23rd Commonwealth Law Conference 2023

23rd Commonwealth Law Conference 2023

Did you know the first Commonwealth Law Conference was held in London in 1955, and since then it has been held in various cities across the Commonwealth, including Singapore, Cape Town, Auckland, and Edinburgh. The most recent conference was held in Goa, India.