Commonwealth: CSG Patricia Scotland shares her meeting with leaders of Pakistan

Commonwealth: Patricia Scotland, the General Secretary of the Commonwealth, recently met with the ministers of Pakistan on November 8, 2022. The leaders discussed the preparations of the nation for the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM). The CSG met with the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, Shaza Fatima Khwaja and Minister of State and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Member National Assembly of Pakistan, Romina Khurshid Alam.

While expressing her pleasure of meeting with the leaders, CSG Patricia Scotland stated, “Valuable to meet Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs and Romina Khurshid Alam, Minister of State & Special Assistant to the Prime Minister & Member National Assembly of Pakistan today, and discuss Pakistan’s preparations for the #Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM).”

She furthermore highlighted that she is very excited to hear about the emphasis Pakistan is putting on employment, education, environment and engagement.

Patricia Scotland also shared that it was heart-wrenching to hear about the devastating floods, which damaged more than half of the nation. “Hearing first-hand about the devastating floods and how Pakistan has faced numerous climate change challenges reinforce the need to act now!” she stated.

She concluded, “Thus, Youth, Climate Change and Climate Action will be a priority at CYMM and beyond as these Commonwealth Youth are leading the change!”

Earlier, during the first week of November, I visited South Africa and met with the dignitaries of the nation. In the midst of the visit, she attended the swearing-in ceremony of Lesotho’s new Prime Minister, Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane. She also congratulated the new PM and the Basotho on their commitment to a smooth transfer of power.

She also met with ‘her brother’ and former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki. Both of the leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including CHOGM 2022, elections, the fight against corruption and the Commonwealth toolkits such as SMART, used for effective government performance management.