DHAKA, July 31, 2018 (BSS) – Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia
Scotland is about to set out on her first official visits to three
Commonwealth member countries, including Bangladesh, during an 11-day trip
beginning tomorrow (Wednesday).
In all three countries the Secretary-General will have discussions with
head of government, ministers and other public figures on priorities and
commitments agreed by leaders at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting (CHOGM) in April and will update them on the strategic implementation
of the work to be undertaken, said a media release received here today.
In Sri Lanka, Secretary-General Scotland will discuss ways in which the
country can work even more closely within a Commonwealth context on issues
related to trade, connectivity and other national priorities.
During her time in Brunei, among other engagements, the Secretary-General
will deliver a public lecture at the University of Brunei Darussalam. She
will also acknowledge the very significant contribution Brunei makes towards
partnership by offering the Commonwealth Third-Country Training Programme
which assists in building the capacity of Pacific island member states of the
Commonwealth.
Secretary-General Scotland will then visit Bangladesh. Included in her
programme is an address to the Bangladesh Institute of International and
Strategic Studies (BIISS) on the theme ‘The Commonwealth Advantage – progress
and potential’.
“Sri Lanka, Brunei and Bangladesh are greatly valued members of the
Commonwealth family,” said the Secretary-General ahead of her travel. “I look
forward to acquainting myself more closely with the many encouraging and
positive developments taking place in the region – and with challenges which
the convening power of the Commonwealth can help to tackle,” she added.
“Next year, Sri Lanka will host the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting.
This will again be an opportunity to share best legal practice from
throughout the commonality and yet rich diversity of our Commonwealth family
in order to improve access to justice for all our citizens,” she said.