Date: 27/11/2009
Source: The Presidency
Title: SA: Zuma: Toast by the President of South Africa, at a dinner hosted by HM Queen Elizabeth II, Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Trinidad & Tobago

Your Majesty,
Your Royal Highness,
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
and heads of delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am most honoured and privileged to be able to address Her Majesty and other dignitaries this evening.
What makes this meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government distinctive is that it takes place in the year of the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth.
It also takes place at a time when the world is faced with two challenges that very directly test the notion of the globalised world and its interpretation.
In addition to a global economic crisis and climate change, the world is faced with a widening of the gap between rich and poor, and deepening poverty among the majority.
The Commonwealth is an organisation with a rich history and a worthy heritage.
Over the course of six decades it has shown itself to be a family of nations committed to the betterment of humanity.
Yet, while the ties that bind us are rooted in history, the value of the Commonwealth lies in the future.
The Commonwealth is composed of a quarter of the world's countries, a third of its population, a fifth of its trade, some of the richest and some of the poorest countries, some of the largest countries and some of the smallest.
As the countries of the world become increasingly interdependent, the value of an organisation like the Commonwealth becomes even greater.
The Commonwealth provides an opportunity to build consensus beyond its membership on responses to the challenges facing the globe.
Today, this has become more urgent than at any other time in our history.
As we celebrate 60 years, it is appropriate that we commit ourselves to serving a new generation.
The Commonwealth must therefore continue to strive to ensure the youth are able to determine their own future.
As we look to the needs of a new generation, we will hold fast to the principles and values that have characterised our organisation.
We will hold fast to the vision of the better world we seek to build.
It is now my great honour Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, to invite you to rise and join me in a toast to the Commonwealth.
I thank you.