The meeting adopted the Melbourne Declaration, which called for renewed negotiations on international economic relations between developed and developing countries.[3]
Background
The meeting took place amid disagreements between industrialised and developing countries over international trade, finance and economic development. Developing countries had called for changes to the international economic system through proposals associated with the New International Economic Order.[3]
The previous 1979 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held in Lusaka, Zambia, had addressed the political situation in Rhodesia, contributing to the negotiations that preceded Zimbabwe's independence in April 1980. At Melbourne, attention remained focused on Southern Africa, particularly South Africa's apartheid system and its continued administration of Namibia.[4]
The summit also followed the independence of Belize on 21 September 1981. Antigua and Barbuda became independent and joined the Commonwealth on 1 November, after the meeting.[5]
Proceedings
The meeting opened in Melbourne on 30 September 1981. Discussions continued during a retreat in Canberra before the summit concluded on 7 October.[6]
The Melbourne Declaration, adopted on 3 October, expressed concern about economic inequalities and the difficulties faced by poorer countries in obtaining the resources needed for development.[3]
The declaration emphasised the interdependence of national economies and urged governments to pursue international cooperation on trade, finance and development. It called for progress in negotiations between industrialised and developing countries over international economic arrangements.[3]
The declaration did not establish a detailed programme of economic reforms. New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon criticised its general language, describing it as a "declaration of platitudes". Commonwealth officials maintained that it was intended as a political statement, while more specific economic questions were addressed in the meeting's final communiqué.[8]
Southern Africa
The meeting considered the situation in Southern Africa, including the continuation of apartheid in South Africa and the dispute over Namibian independence. Namibia remained under South African administration despite international efforts to secure its independence.[4]
The papers prepared for the summit included a report from the Commonwealth Committee on Southern Africa addressing Namibia, regional economic cooperation and assistance to South African refugee students.[9]
Attendees
The following heads of delegation attended the 1981 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia.[10]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Australia 
