Joshua Phoho Setipa
Candidate for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
I am honoured to present my candidature for the esteemed position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
As you are aware, Commonwealth Leaders will elect the next Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Apia, Samoa, in October 2024.
In line with the principle of regional rotation, it is now Africa’s turn to hold the position.
The next Secretary-General will be the seventh, but second Secretary-General from Africa, following Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria who held the position from 1990 to 2000.
message
I am deeply grateful to my government for endorsing my candidacy
I am deeply grateful to my government for endorsing my candidacy, making me the first Lesotho national to seek this prestigious role. This is a testament to Lesotho’s commitment to the values, principles, and objectives of the Commonwealth, as well as my unwavering dedication to serving its diverse membership.
If bestowed with this immense honour, I pledge to work diligently with members to uphold and advance the Commonwealth’s values, effectively represent the organisation on the global stage, and provide visionary leadership to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
My professional journey in the public service of Lesotho, a developing Commonwealth country, has afforded me firsthand experience of the transformative impact that Commonwealth support can have across various sectors. I have witnessed the Commonwealth successfully strengthen public policy formulation, mediate national political crises, build institutional capacity, and lay the ground for sustainable development.
The challenges confronting developing countries today, particularly small island developing states (SIDS), threaten to undermine the progress made towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Persistent instability in several regions and the erosion of democratic institutions pose significant obstacles that demand renewed political focus and investment. With its convening power and global influence, the Commonwealth is uniquely positioned to address these challenges effectively.
As Secretary-General, I will focus on strengthening the Commonwealth Secretariat, ensuring that it remains a dynamic and responsive organisation, capable of delivering tangible benefits to its member states.
To this end, I will undertake a comprehensive review of the Secretariat’s administrative manuals, streamline communication with all stakeholders, rationalise program development and delivery, develop effective impact assessment tools, enhance financial management, and develop a comprehensive resource mobilisation strategy.
As Secretary-General, I will also prioritise strengthening the Secretariat’s communication and engagement with all stakeholders, including member states, civil society and international organisations, and the private sector. By fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration, we can harness the collective wisdom and expertise of the Commonwealth’s diverse membership.
I strongly believe in the power of partnerships to amplify the Commonwealth’s impact. I will actively seek out and strengthen partnerships with organisations across the globe that share our values and principles. Collaboration with entities within the United Nations system, development partners, regional economic communities, and the private sector will be crucial in mobilising resources, delivering programs effectively, and addressing the complex challenges facing our member states.
In this regard, the Commonwealth’s ongoing work on access to climate finance and on oceans and natural resources is of paramount importance and should be scaled up.
As Secretary-General, I will mobilise and advocate for increased resources to support these initiatives, particularly those aimed at assisting developing countries in accessing climate finance. I will also champion innovative solutions that harness the ingenuity of Commonwealth citizens and empower governments to develop homegrown solutions to climate change. By transitioning to green economies rooted in renewable energy sources, we can collectively mitigate the effects of climate change and build a sustainable future for all.
Furthermore, I will prioritise capacity building in key policy areas such as strengthening democratic institutions, protection of human rights, the judiciary, and the public service. These areas are of critical importance to Commonwealth members, and the Commonwealth is widely recognised as a leader in these fields.
Formulating innovative tools to support small developing Commonwealth countries will be a key focus of my term in office. I will engage in extensive consultations with partners to explore new strategies for mitigating the vulnerabilities of these members. The majority of Commonwealth developing states are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
As Secretary-General, I will continue to prioritise the secretariat’s work on Health, Education, and Youth development. I will strengthen the Secretariat’s commitment to a holistic social development approach that recognises that health, education, and Youth and Women development are interconnected pillars that are critical for the empowerment and prosperity of Commonwealth citizens.
Today, the Commonwealth stands at a crossroads, facing both challenges and opportunities. With your support, I am confident that we can steer the Commonwealth towards a future of prosperity, sustainability, and inclusivity.
I pledge to serve the Commonwealth with unwavering dedication and integrity. Together, we can build a Commonwealth that is truly united, resilient, and a beacon of hope for generations to come.