After lengthy deliberations at its biennial summit here, the 53-nation bloc which represents around a third of the world’s population, also agreed to make concerted efforts in fighting extremism and radicalisation and formed a separate unit to deal with the challenge.
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Justin Trudeau wrapped up his trip to the Commonwealth heads-of-government meeting in Malta on Saturday.
It said such an outcome, joined and implemented by all parties, should put the global community on track towards low-emission and climate-resilient societies and economies.
Transparency International announced Friday it had signed an agreement with the Commonwealth which included an eight-step programme to tackle corruption.
“The fact that we have achieved convergence and near unanimity on a very focused statement on climate change puts the possibility of a success at COP21 in better shape”, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the Commonwealth summit host, said at the close of a three-day gathering on the Mediterranean island.
“Many of our members are struggling to cope with the devastating effects of climate change”.
The goal is to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels by curbing fossil fuel emissions.
The dollars will go to the poorest and most vulnerable countries that need support to respond to climate change, such as small-island developing states, Africa and the least-developed countries.
On the eve of the worldwide climate conference in Paris, Canada has announced it is more than doubling its previous contribution to help fight climate change in developing countries.
The session on climate change was attended byUN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon and French PresidentFrancois Hollande besides leaders of major Commonwealth members including Britain, Canada, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
More than $10 billion United States was pledged to the Green Climate Fund in 2014 by developed nations, including the $300 million from Canada.
Freundel Stuart, the prime minister of Barbados, called on Paris attendees to wake up to the issue.
Commonwealth leaders also discussed combating radicalization and corruption, and coping with migration.
“It can even foment terrorism as people give up hope in good and honest government”.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion speaks with the media ahead of the Commonwealths heads of government meeting on Thursday in Valletta, Malta.
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It had been speculated that this might be the queen’s last Commonwealth summit, because at 89 she has given up long-haul travel.
