Ottawa – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced earlier that Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will attend Commonwealth Week events in London, United Kingdom, from March 12 to 17.
On March 13, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant attended events to commemorate Commonwealth Day and to mark the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter, a landmark document that helps define the organization’s key values. This year’s Commonwealth theme, Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future, reflects the shared commitment of member countries to improve the lives and opportunities of all peoples of the Commonwealth for generations to come.
On March 14 and 15, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant attended the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) Meeting and the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting to discuss shared challenges and to advance Canadian foreign policy priorities. This is Canada’s first meeting for its 2022 to 2024 term as a member of CMAG, a forum in which selected Commonwealth foreign affairs ministers or their designates discuss violations of the organization’s values and recommend measures to restore democracy and constitutional rule.
Throughout his visit, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant took the opportunity to discuss with Commonwealth member countries issues of mutual interest and opportunities for action, including working with members to reform the Commonwealth into a more modern, transparent and effective organization and advancing common priorities, such as tackling climate change and promoting gender equality and 2SLGBTQI+ rights.
“Canada and other Commonwealth members share a strong and meaningful relationship and important priorities, such as the respect and promotion of human rights, gender equality and 2SLGBTQI+ rights and the crisis in Ukraine and its impact on global systems. I look forward to continuing our work on shared priorities to build a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future for our countries and all Commonwealth peoples.”- Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs