In The Daily Telegraph today Lord Howe praises the Commonwealth for its benefits.
"It's easy to ridicule it and dismiss it. The Commonwealth doesn't have any strong structures. The thing it does have is values," said Lord Howe, 80.
Commonwealth 'important for its values'
By David Blair, Diplomatic Correspondent and Nick Squires
When the Commonwealth conference opens in Uganda today, the Queen, Gordon Brown, the Prince of Wales and about 50 other leaders from Britain's former empire will be present.
This unique gathering is damned by some as an outdated relic of the age of colonialism.
But Lord Howe, who as Sir Geoffrey Howe, served as Margaret Thatcher's Foreign Secretary between 1983 and 1989, said that the Commonwealth was an "important asset" for Britain and every other member state.
"It's easy to ridicule it and dismiss it. The Commonwealth doesn't have any strong structures. The thing it does have is values," said Lord Howe, 80.
The Queen's "combination of modesty and intelligence" was central to holding the club of former British colonies together, he added.
But the Commonwealth is quietly preparing for the Queen's passing by preparing Prince Charles to assume a more prominent role.
For the first time, he will be present at the Commonwealth conference in Kampala, although formally he is paying a separate visit to Uganda at the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni.
Lord Howe said that Prince Charles probably would be able to unite the Commonwealth as successfully as his mother.
"I think that the Prince of Wales has the same kind of affection for it. I happen to know that's true. And the two princes, the younger ones, when they've been out there to Commonwealth countries, they've appreciated it."
With 53 member states and a total population of 1.7 billion, the Commonwealth spans the global divide between rich and poor.
In theory, the organisation is united by the English language, a shared history of British rule and a devotion to democratic values.
In practice, Commonwealth leaders have routinely rigged elections and jailed opponents. Among those attending the summit will be President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria, who won an election in April riddled with corruption and every form of malpractice.
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe remained in the Commonwealth's fold even after he rigged his way to victory in parliamentary polls in 2000, during which 37 people were murdered. Zimbabwe's membership was not suspended until two years later.
Mr Museveni has been accorded the honour of hosting this week's gathering despite having won a flawed election last year, heavily criticised by European Union observers.
For some former Commonwealth leaders, the organisation is of little use because it can boast so few tangible achievements. Paul Keating attended Commonwealth summits in Cyprus and New Zealand while serving as Australia's prime minister between 1993 and 1996.
"Other than for good causes, like branding Mugabe the shocking old crook that he is, it's of little relevance," said Mr Keating.
Forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum (Apec) were of growing importance, said Mr Keating, because they allowed Australian leaders to meet their near neighbours, rather than Commonwealth leaders from the far side of the world.
But despite his critique, Mr Keating does not reject the Commonwealth's founding values. He said the "kinship" between Australia and Britain remained extremely strong.
Daily Telegraph Editorial
Commonwealth legacy
The Commonwealth, like the Lords, is an anachronism: if it did not exist, no one would think to invent it. Yet its potential is vast. As one politician put it in 1995: "The Commonwealth contains one quarter of the world's population. It includes five of the world's 10 fastest growing economies… It is the only organisation, outside the UN itself, to transcend regional organisations and bring together North and South.
The issues that dominate post-Cold War relations are at its heart; refugees, drug trafficking, international crime, terrorism, Aids, debt and trade… We cannot let a priceless legacy like this fade into nostalgia."
Those fine words were written by Tony Blair before taking power – though once in office he did little to advance the cause of the Commonwealth. This neglect was hardly exceptional: Robin Cook regularly failed to attend the London meetings of the group dealing with members who had forsaken democracy, when his fellow foreign ministers had flown thousands of miles to be there.
In fact, British officials have consistently failed to give the Commonwealth the attention, and resources, it deserves.
Yes, they are in a tricky situation – give too forceful a lead, and they are accused of colonialism; back off, and they are accused of neglect.
But in a world in which distance is becoming increasingly irrelevant, the Commonwealth's connections between states far and wide, large and small, provide a tremendous opportunity for Britain to forge better relationships with other countries, and to bolster their economic and democratic institutions.
It also gives Gordon Brown a platform from which to pursue his interest in African development.
One of those who does understand the importance of the Commonwealth, and the "priceless legacy" it offers, is the Queen, who has spent much of her life travelling to and engaging with its members.
As we revealed earlier this month, it is being suggested that Prince Charles should now take on a similar role at the head of the organisation. He will have a tough job on his hands – and one that will require all of his mother's fabled diplomatic skill.