The Cairns Group and the Commonwealth. Bridge-building for international trade

The Cairns Group is a coalition of medium-sized agricultural exporting countries who have grouped together to pursue common agricultural trade objectives in world trade negotiations. Membership currently comprises 15 member states of whom six also belong to the Commonwealth. However, a number of these Commonwealth countries have taken a leading role in the Group's activities and have led the Group into becoming a successful example of a bridge-building coalition between developed and developing nations. This in part mirrors the Commonwealth's own experiences. This article examines the origin and role of the Cairns Group in international politics. It is written with particular reference to South Africa's own activities within the body-a Commonwealth nation that has rapidly risen to prominence within the Cairns Group and in international trade talks.