As the world commemorates Commonwealth Day activities, the Commonwealth Garden was officially launched right here in Trinidad and Tobago at the Wildflower Park in St Clair.
The objective of the garden is to promote values as outlined in the Commonwealth Charter and to build Trinidad and Tobago’s participation and dedication to the Commonwealth.
It was a two-part celebration incorporating physical and virtual elements, which according to stakeholders, highlight the strength of Trinidad and Tobago.
British High Commissioner Harriet Cross spoke at the launch.
“This event provides an excellent opportunity for the Commonwealth member states to celebrate the connections we have after more than 70 years of partnership and this is the first part of a Commonwealth collaboration, a representation of the vibrancy and colour of the Commonwealth”.
She added earlier this week marked Commonwealth Day, which reminds members of the association about the diversity of people and countries that make up the worldwide Commonwealth family.
High Commissioner Harriet Cross said the garden not only represented the unification of the Commonwealth but plays a part in helping to reverse the effects of climate change.
“ The launch of this garden, which celebrates Trinidad and Tobago and all the entire Commonwealth family of 54, is also an opportunity for us to come together to take action on a global issue like climate change, in a small but impactful manner. In addition to beautifying one small corner of Port-of-Spain, centrally located between Commonwealth missions and the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the planting of wildflowers reduces vulnerability to climate change by restoring lost ecosystem goods and safeguarding the generic bank of biological material”.
She added the restoration of natural capital contributes meaningfully to climate change mitigation as wildflowers help keep soil healthy while supporting human development and progress towards achieving sustainable goals.
Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne said, “the earth speaks to us all the time and all we have to do is to listen and respond to what it says. For me the earth message for 2020 and 2021 has been that we are all connected, and we are all interdependent within the global family, our problems cannot be compartmentalised and likewise, for our solutions, true multilateralism must replace narrow interest, equity and access must eclipse discrimination and exploitation”.
Oher Commonwealth nations were part of the launch of the park including India, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Nigeria and South Africa.
