The Commonwealth secretary-general, Baroness Scotland, has spoken of the organisation’s unique resources which can be used to improve the lives of people in its member states.

She was addressing leaders at Buckingham Palace, at the opening of the Heads of Government summit.

“We have unparalleled ability to draw together streams of wisdom from secular sources, and from diverse traditions of religious and philosophical thought and practice, ” said Baroness Scotland.

“On occasions such as this, we become freshly aware of relationships we cherish, and of inheritances being carried forward by successive generations.

“Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings are distinctive for being both receptive and responsive to the needs of all – especially the young, the marginalised and the vulnerable.  Our dialogue is different, because there is a special dynamic in our Commonwealth ecosystem.”

She praised referred to numerous examples of how Commonwealth “synergy” accelerated progress, such as in tackling climate change and plastic pollution, and efforts to eliminate child, early and forced marriage and modern slavery, to eradicate polio and malaria, and to reduce prevalence of non-communicable diseases.