10th Anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter

13th March 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter by the late Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most important documents in the long history of this family of nations. The Charter sets out the values and aspirations that unite the Commonwealth’s 56 independent countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific, and the 2.5 billion people who live there.

It is an honour for me to represent Brunei as a young leader under the @queens_commonwealth_trust to raise the Commonwealth of Nations Flag of Peace this year. The Flag for Peace features a white dove which symbolises the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth. These included co-operation on economic and social development, diversity, respect, friendship and the promotion of peace around the world.

The theme for this year's celebration is "Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future," which is particularly relevant as we reflect on the challenges facing our world today. We are living in a time of unprecedented global crises, from climate change to the ongoing pandemic, and it is only by working together that we can overcome these challenges and create a better future for all.

As a young leader, it is my firm belief that we have a profound responsibility to uphold the values that unite us and work tirelessly towards a better future for all. It brings me great pride to be a part of this momentous occasion, and I am hopeful that we can all be inspired to continue our pursuit of a sustainable and peaceful future for the Commonwealth and beyond.

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency John Virgoe and the British High Commission for their unwavering support towards my work and for their contribution to the success of this event. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all our esteemed guests and High Commissioners who joined us this morning to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and look towards a brighter future for the Commonwealth and the world.