Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, Ransford Smith in his address at the opening of the finance ministers meeting last evening said that Guyana is looking forward with increased confidence.

Smith, who is leading the Commonwealth’s 21-member delegation, noted that the Secretary General Don McKinnon is currently attending the Pacific Islands Heads of Governments forum.

With financial turbulence, high oil prices and lack of progress in the Doha Round of trade negotiations, Smith said that there was no time for complacency and a call was also made to set the Doha Round on “track.”

The Commonwealth, he explained, in relation to Guyana provides collaboration in developing professional services, has worked with the University of Guyana, assisted in strengthening electoral capacity and collaborated with Iwokrama. Smith is the vice-chairman on the Iwokrama Board of Trustees. The country’s connection to the Commonwealth was noted as deep and direct and former Guyanese Secretary General Sir Shridath Ramphal (1975-1990) was cited. There is a full agenda, for the CFMM, the deputy secretary general indicated, and said that as the ministers come together the strength of the Commonwealth resides in diversity of experiences.In the last generation the world’s economic growth was said to be exemplary and driven by large emerging economies, but Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries are failing to meet the Millennium Develo-pment Goals. It was noted as well that there is more to be done to keep the pledge of doubling aid to Africa. The CFMM will be addressing global issues like reducing climate change, and in light of issues such as this, Smith explained that there is need for strong multilateral institutions like the Commonwealth. Smith said that he looks forward to fruitful discussions and meaningful consideration of the issues on the agenda.