Commonwealth must unite to defeat poverty, says McKinnon

The Commonwealth must unite to defeat the scandal of poverty, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon says.

Mr McKinnon's New Year Message, released today, said poverty demeaned people and debilitated societies.

"If apartheid was the scandal the Commonwealth united to defeat at the end of the 20th century, poverty is the scandal it must collectively confront in the 21st," he said.

"The HIV/Aids pandemic ravages whole communities, while maternal and infant mortality continue to afflict many societies.

"Persisting trade inequality also leaves many developing countries little room to prosper."

Development and democracy remained the cornerstones around which programmes and activities would be shaped, Mr McKinnon said.

The past year had been one of tragedy and disappointment with events such as the Boxing Day tsunami, hurricanes, the devastating South Asia earthquake and terrorism.

But there were also signs of hope and promise, with unprecedented international focus on the eradication of poverty, he said.

"Trade remains one of the most potent weapons to pull countries and people out of poverty.

"Side by side with combating terrorism and extremist ideologies through all possible means, we need to reduce feelings of alienation and marginalisation and promote mutual respect and understanding among communities.

"This is a challenge which the Commonwealth will seek to address in the year ahead, using the wealth of experience available within its ranks in the successful management of diversity."

- NZPA