Bataung Moeketsi

BRITAIN is committed to working with Lesotho and other Commonwealth member states to tackle global challenges including climate change, human rights and driving inclusive economic growth.

This was said by the British High Commissioner to Lesotho, Anne Macro, during the Commonwealth Day celebrations at the parliament buildings on Thursday.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association bringing together Britain and 53 other independent countries, most of whom were British colonies. It is home to 2, 4 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Member states work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace as well as to and protect the environment.

Commonwealth Day is normally celebrated on the second Monday of March but the Lesotho commemorations were brought forward because legislators will be seized with parliamentary business tomorrow.

Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Teboho Lehloenya, South African High Commissioner to Lesotho, Sello Moloto, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) United Kingdom’s former Head of International Partnership, Susie Latta, attended the Thursday commemorations along with members of the senate and national assembly.

Speaking at the celebrations, Ms Macro said the day marked the collective work done by the UK and Lesotho as two of the 54 Commonwealth member states.

She said Britain was committed to “working with all member states to strengthen the (Commonwealth) organisation to tackle global challenges including climate change, human rights and driving inclusive economic growth”.

“At the (2018) Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London, Commonwealth leaders agreed on the clear agenda to build a future that is fairer, more prosperous, sustainable and secure.

“The UK announced over £ 500 million worth of projects to support these goals and committed to opening new diplomatic missions in nine commonwealth countries. I am very pleased that one of those countries was Lesotho and we have made good progress in re-establishing the British High Commission here in Maseru,” added Ms Macro.

Mr Lehloenya, said hailed the Anglo-Lesotho relations, saying capacity building support by Britain would “go a long way in enhancing parliamentary effectiveness and contributing towards the successful multi-sector reforms process”.