The Queen's speech at the opening of the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Published

We in the Commonwealth are our own 'world wide web'.

Prime Minister Gonzi, Mr. Secretary-General, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for your words of welcome. It is fitting that Commonwealth leaders are meeting here in Malta, a country that has historically been a bridge between the diverse civilisations that touch the Mediterranean Sea.

The world we live in is marked by diversity, and through being accommodating, compassionate, tolerant, and respectful of others, the Commonwealth can exploit its diversity as a source of great strength. We are a colourful spectrum of nations, faiths, cultures, and people. Individually, we are different and distinct; collectively, we can be strong and effective.

This has been well illustrated in the Commonwealth's response to the many natural disasters that have touched us all over recent years - floods, hurricanes and cyclones. Last year's terrifying tsunami washed away lives and livelihoods across the Indian Ocean and more recently, we have witnessed the dreadful earthquake and aftershocks in southern Asia. At times like these, there has been an outpouring of concern and generosity as we have struggled together first to save lives and then to rebuild. These times of trial have brought us together as they have also shown how vulnerable we can be alone and yet how much more we can do together.

I pay tribute to the emergency workers from around the Commonwealth who volunteered their time and expertise, while other Commonwealth members contributed the necessary funding to support them. This shows how our Commonwealth network can bring resources and results together all over the globe.

Determined and collective action can also help us tackle other challenges that cannot be addressed alone, such as the scourge of terrorism which is a threat to us all and has directly affected a number of our countries. I would like to express my thanks for the many expressions of

sympathy and support which I received from around the Commonwealth after the London bombings in July.

The theme of this meeting 'Networking the Commonwealth for Development' indicates the importance of networks to underpin longer term needs beyond the more immediate and pressing. I said in Durban six years ago, we in the Commonwealth are our own 'world wide web'. We have networks of contacts that bring people together across countries and continents. The key characteristic of our web is that it is built not only on technology but also on groups and associations, both formal and informal, between people. These occur in their most intimate form in families, extend to neighbourhoods and to other forms of local governance, and stretch to countries and regional groupings. If the electricity fails, our Commonwealth networks do not.

Several months ago, many of you here today attended a summit at the United Nations in New York. That was the occasion to review the Millennium Development Goals. There was some satisfaction that five years of effort has achieved some progress towards tackling the root causes of poverty and misery in the world. There was greater and more sober recognition that much still remains to be done if the Goals are to be achieved by 2015.

There are almost limitless opportunities to join forces across the Commonwealth to do so. Such connections allow us to transfer ideas, technical expertise, funding, and other forms of support. Everyone and every member country can find some way to contribute to this most important of global pursuits. There are development challenges that weigh heavily upon so many of our members. It is our collective responsibility to help.

Ladies and Gentlemen, these Commonwealth Heads of Government gatherings remain unique occasions for networking; providing the opportunity to share experiences, to learn from each other, to test ideas, and to talk as a gathering of like-minded colleagues. The discussions over the next day or so offer the opportunity to build on the consensus of the past and to identify new opportunities for the future. I am confident that what is achieved here in Malta will sustain our great family of nations and people in practical, positive ways for many more years to come.

I wish you well in your important deliberations.

Related content

The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message 2021

Stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory.

07 March 2021
News

Commonwealth Day 2020

09 March 2020

The Queen's 2020 Commonwealth Day Message

Such a blend of traditions serves to make us stronger, individually and collectively, by providing the ingredients needed for social, political and economic resilience

09 March 2020

A speech by The Countess of Wessex celebrating the work of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust

On behalf of the people The Trust has helped thank you to each and every one of you for all your incredible support, and to Your Majesty thank you for choosing to give the...

29 October 2019
News

International Youth Day 2019

12 August 2019
Feature

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018

Find out more about Royal events at this year's meeting, which is being held in London
News

Commonwealth Day 2018

12 March 2018

A Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the opening of the 2017 Commonwealth Science Conference

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Commonwealth Science Conference in Singapore following the success of the Bangalore Conference in 2014. I am very grateful...

13 June 2017

A message from Her Majesty The Queen to the people of Barbados on the 50th Anniversary of Independence

Since you became an independent country in 1966, you have continued to flourish and grow into a strong and confident nation.

30 November 2016

A speech by Prince Harry on the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy dedication in St Lucia

On behalf of my grandmother, The Queen, I am grateful to the Government and the people of St. Lucia for this most generous contribution.

27 November 2016
Feature

Remembrance 2016

The Queen and the Royal Family attend engagements to mark Remembrance 2016

The Queen's Commonwealth Day message, 14 March 2016

Being inclusive and accepting diversity goes far deeper than accepting differences at face value and being tolerant.

14 March 2016
Feature

The Queen's Young Leaders

The Queen’s Young Leader Award celebrates exceptional people from across the Commonwealth

The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message, 10 March 2014

The understanding that we belong together, and are able, through teamwork, to achieve far more than we could do alone, has always been at the heart of our approach.

10 March 2014

The Queen's Message to the Athletes

The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth.

23 July 2014

The Queen's reply to Loyal Addresses by Privileged Bodies, 27 March 2012

Prince Philip and I thank you for your warm expressions of loyalty and affection, and for the dedicated service you continue to offer our nation.

27 March 2012

Commonwealth Day message 2008

In the Commonwealth, governments, businesses, communities and individuals should each strive to match words and good intentions with deeds. Every contribution has its part to...

10 March 2008

Christmas Broadcast 2015

I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.

25 December 2015

Commonwealth Day message 2007

Despite its size and scale, the Commonwealth to me is still at heart a collection of villages.

12 March 2007

Opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Nigeria, 5 December 2005

The Commonwealth is one of the great partnerships of the world where rich and poor, large and small, work together for the common good.

05 December 2015

A speech by The Queen at the CHOGM Dinner, Malta, 2015

Thank you, Mr Prime Minister of Canada, for making me feel so old!

27 November 2015

A speech by The Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, 2015

Ladies and gentlemen, I feel enormously proud of what the Commonwealth has achieved, and all of it within my lifetime

27 November 2015
Press release 28 October 2015

The Queen will open the Commonwealth Games

Read more
Press release 27 October 2015

State Visit to Malta and CHOGM

Read more
News

Rugby World Cup 2015

13 October 2015
Press release 09 August 2015

The Queen's message to the President of Singapore

Read more

The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message, 2015

One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas and to develop common goals, wonderful things can happen.

09 March 2015
Press release 25 November 2014

The Queen's message to the Commonwealth Science Conference

Read more
Press release October 2014

Singapore State Visit Programme

Read more
Press release 27 March 2014

Singapore State Visit announced

Read more

A speech by The Queen at the Commonwealth Reception, 2013

I hope the carefully chosen words of the Charter will reinvigorate efforts, already begun, to make the Commonwealth fit and agile for the years ahead.

11 March 2013

Commonwealth Day message 2013

let us bear in mind the great opportunity that is offered by the Commonwealth – of joining with others, stronger together, for the common good.

11 March 2013
Press release 20 December 2012

Christmas Broadcast to the UK and the Commonwealth

Read more
Press release 12 August 2012

The Queen's Olympic Message

Read more