and endorsed the proposal to establish a food production and rural development division within the Secretariat. The new division would enhance the effectiveness of the Secretariat's already significant contribution to this sector and should be essentially action-oriented. Heads of Government emphasised the setback to agricultural production which has resulted from scarcity and high prices of fertiliser, and welcomed efforts, in the Commonwealth and elsewhere, to secure adequate supplies of fertiliser at reduced costs. They also called for similar efforts with respect to farm machinery, feed stuffs and other agricultural inputs. Drought and other Natural Disaster 42. Heads of Government recognised the value of the Commonwealth as a forum in which to consult and concert broad strategies for action in the Sahelian zone of Africa and in other natural disaster areas and endorsed the recommendation of the Ministerial Meeting on Food Production and Rural Development that Commonwealth action should supplement action taken by world bodies. Industrial Development Co-operation 43. In underlining the importance of increasing agricultural production, Heads of Government stressed the parallel and related need to accelerate the development of industry and endorsed the expansion of industrial co-operation, particularly between Commonwealth countries. In this context, they stressed the need for measures to promote the processing of primary commodities in their places of origin and the removal of barriers to trade in processed primary commodities and other manufactured goods. 44. Heads of Government stressed their concern to ensure that the activities of multinational corporations conform with the policies of host Governments and their goals for an equitable redistribution of wealth. They noted the work done on multinational corporations by the Commonwealth Secretariat and by bodies in the United Nations system. They agreed on the need for countries to build up their capabilities to deal with multinational corporations. Development Assistance 45. Heads of Government affirmed the need for all countries with the capacity to do so, to maintain and, wherever possible, increase the flow of development assistance to developing countries, especially to the developing countries most seriously affected by recent economic developments. They should also promote the rapid industrialisation of developing countries. Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation 46. Heads of Government reaffirmed their conviction that mutual help and shared responsibility were essential elements in Commonwealth co-operation. They expressed satisfaction at the expansion of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation in the four years since its establishment, noted with approval its flexibility and its capacity to respond quickly to the requests of member countries and commented favourably on its successful management. 47. Recognising the need for the fund's resources to keep pace with the expanding requirements of Commonwealth Governments, Heads of Government noted with appreciation the steady growth in support for the fund and welcomed the substantially increased pledges made by developed and developing member countries. They noted the intention expressed by a number of Governments to increase their contribution and hoped that further increases would be forthcoming. Commonwealth Investment Bank 48. Heads of Government noted the studies organised by the SecretaryGeneral at the request of the 1974 Meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers, on the financial feasibility and the need for the services of a Commonwealth Investment Bank along the lines proposed by a Commonwealth expert group. They concluded that a number of issues still required discussion before the proposal could be put to Governments for a final decision. They requested the Secretary-General to convene a committee of Commonwealth officials to prepare a detailed and specific proposal, addressing itself to the unresolved issues which must be faced if such an institution is to be set up. This committee should report to the next meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers. Commonwealth Scientific Committee 49. Noting the crucial importance of science and technology in promoting social and economic development, Heads of Government welcomed the proposal of the Commonwealth Scientific Committee for an enlarged programme of scientific and technological co-operation among Commonwealth members and for the closer integration of its activities within the Secretariat. They expressed the view that attention should be given to environmental aspects in the enlarged programme. Commonwealth Youth Programme 50. Recognising that the populations of all Commonwealth countries included a significant and increasing number of young people whose talents and potential ought to be fully utilised in meeting the developmental challenges of their communities and nations, Heads of Government noted with satisfaction the progress which had been made in the short time since the establishment of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and agreed that the programme should be extended beyond 1976. Brain Drain 51. Heads of Government acknowledged the concern expressed over the problems associated with the brain drain and agreed that there was an urgent need for practical measures to reduce these difficulties being experienced. The specific proposal for the establishment of a volunteer corps was considered and the Secretary-General was asked to undertake a detailed study for the consideration of Commonwealth Governments. Women in Public Affairs 52. While recognising that there was increasing participation by women in the national affairs of many Commonwealth countries, Heads of Government emphasised the need to focus greater attention on the rights of women to ensure the availability of opportunities for them to participate on a basis of full equality in the political, economic, social and cultural activities of their countries. As far as possible existing and future Commonwealth programmes should take into account the needs and aspirations of women and genuine efforts should be made to provide for their full participation in national and international affairs. Commonwealth Foundation 53. Heads of Government expressed appreciation of the achievements and progress of the Commonwealth Foundation, which they regarded as having an important role to play in strengthening professional co-operation throughout the Commonwealth, and noted the increased budgetary requirements for 1976-79. Report of the Secretary-General 54. Heads of Government took note of the Fifth Report of the SecretaryGeneral. Election of Secretary-General 55. Heads of Government paid warm tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Arnold Smith, C.H., for his distinguished service to the Commonwealth over the past 10 years and elected the Honourable Shridath Ramphal, Foreign Minister of Guyana, to succeed him. Next meeting 56. Heads of Government accepted with pleasure an invitation by the United Kingdom Government to hold their next meeting in London in mid-1977 at the time of the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen's accession as Head of the Commonwealth. January March April May COMMONWEALTH MEETINGS 1974 Commonwealth Caribbean workshop on Commonwealth seminar on training Regional workshop on management and Meetings of Commonwealth representatives Meeting of Commonwealth Health Port of Spain and Georgetown London New Delhi Nairobi New York Geneva |