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Political Affairs

The Political Affairs Division (PAD) facilitates consultation and consensus-building among Commonwealth governments. To this end, it monitors international political developments, conducts research and prepares briefings on political issues which are of interest to member countries.

The division works closely with the Secretary-General, providing him with advice and support on political issues, and particularly in his 'good offices' role and other conflict resolution activities undertaken in consultation with the Commonwealth chairperson-in-office or at the request of member governments. The good offices role has become increasingly important in resolving tensions, in conflict prevention and resolution and in post-conflict rebuilding.

The division is responsible for servicing meetings of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG), which was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in November 1995. At the Coolum CHOGM in March 2002, Heads of Government commended the role of CMAG, and reinforced its mandate to continue to address serious or persistent violations of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth as set out in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration and reinforced by the Millbrook Action Programme.

PAD is responsible for organising and servicing biennial meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, and occasional meetings of ad hoc standing committees with specific remits.

PAD is also the lead division in the Secretariat for reinforcing democratic processes and institutions in member countries. This takes the form of observation of elections at the request of member governments either by full Commonwealth Observer Groups or by small Secretariat teams constituted by the Secretary-General, provision of technical and advisory services to governments and organising workshops focused on various aspects of democratic processes and institutions, as required.

The division is responsible for liaison with the United Nations and other international and regional organisations.

 

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