The arrival of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has provided an opportunity for SIDA members and global justice campaigners to press for action by governments and decision makers on challenging issues.
Glasgow is hosting the Commonwealth Games from 23rd July to 2nd August, bringing together athletes, spectators and other visitors from 74 countries, many of which are among the poorest and most vulnerable nations in the world, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on Britain’s colonial legacy and how to overcome the poverty and injustice facing many people in Commonwealth countries today.
At a special roundtable on Debt Justice on 21 July hosted by the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action, Gillian Martin MSP, and facilitated by the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), panellists discussed the growing crisis of unsustainable debt owed by many Commonwealth countries, and the role the UK and Scottish Governments can play in tackling the issue. Participants heard from campaigners based in Zambia, Kenya and Malawi, as well as from the High Commissioners to the UK from Malawi and Zambia.
Malawian High Commissioner to the UK His Excellency Dr Thomas Bisika said:
“Where Malawi stands now, debt relief needs to be considered seriously as the ameliorative effects of debt restructuring have been very minimal and inconsistent at best. We also need debt reforms that improve access to emergency liquidity before, during and after climate disasters.”
Zambian High Commissioner to the UK Her Excellency Macenje Mazoka said:
“Zambia welcomes this important joint statement and the spirit of solidarity it reflects. Our experience has shown that debt justice is not only about easing immediate pressures, but about creating a fairer international system that allows countries to invest in their people, strengthen resilience, and pursue sustainable development. We look forward to working with Commonwealth partners to advance reforms that ensure debt solutions are timely, fair, and climate-responsive.”
The three Governments present at the roundtable agreed a joint statement on Debt Justice, which calls Commonwealth nations to work collaboratively to bring forth:
- new debt legislation which ensures private lenders engage in debt restructuring on the basis of comparable treatment with other creditors
- timely and equitable debt restructuring and, where appropriate, debt relief in accordance with internationally agreed debt sustainability frameworks
- enhanced participation of bilateral, multilateral and private creditors in coordinated debt resolution processes
- expanded access to affordable concessional and climate finance to reduce future debt vulnerabilities
- strengthened debt transparency, sound public financial management and domestic resource mobilisation to support long-term debt sustainability
- a new debt framework within the United Nations or other agreed multilateral processes that command broad international consensus
Speaking later in the week, at a reception event for members of the Malawian, Rwandan and Zambian diaspora communities in Scotland, the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP said:
“During my visit to Malawi and Zambia, I met communities who are taking control of their lives and livelihoods through Scottish Government supported, community-led climate resilience programmes, and I learned first-hand about the impact that both debt and climate injustice can have on communities.
“Across the Commonwealth unsustainable debt repayments are consuming resources that should be used to build schools, hospitals, and climate-resilient infrastructure, and climate change is exacerbating this problem. The Global South should not be forced to choose between repaying their creditors and helping their communities to recover from storms and droughts.
““The Scottish Government is committed to working with our partners across the Global South on a fair, long-term solution to the global debt crisis and supporting debt solutions that allow countries to invest in people, public services and climate resilience.”
SIDA’s CEO Frances Guy, who chaired the discussion session during the roundtable, said:
“It is important to acknowledge the historical roots of the Commonwealth Games in the British Empire, and the legacies of slavery, colonialism and racism that still affect so many communities around the world today. Using the Games as a space to discuss concrete steps that can take us closer to global justice is a welcome opportunity.
“At SIDA we were pleased to support our member organisations at a number of these events, and to help shape the debate on action for debt justice, and we welcome the Scottish Government’s active interest and support. As traditional aid budgets shrink, structural reform to support countries in the global south put their resources to use for their own populations is more important than ever. “
ENDS