Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. CHOGM Home
  2. Brief History of CHOGM
    1. List of Meetings
    2. Notable Meetings 1944 - 1966
    3. Notable Meetings 1971 - 1989
    4. Notable Meetings 1991 - 2005
  3. CHOGM 2005 Valletta
    1. Images from CHOGM 2005
    2. CHOGM 2005 Screensaver
    3. CHOGM 2005 in Quotes
    4. Speeches
  4. News Archive
  5. CHOGM 2003 Abuja
    1. Statements and Reports
  6. CHOGM 2002 Coolum
    1. Statements and Reports
    2. Features & Speeches
  7. CHOGM 99 Durban
    1. Statements and Reports
  8. CHOGM 97 Edinburgh
    1. Statements and Reports
  • CHOGM:
  • Brief History of CHOGM

Brief History of CHOGM

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet for a few days to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree collective policies and initiatives.

CHOGM 2007 FlagsThese summits provide a unique forum for consultation at the highest level of government. They are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

After a public opening ceremony and a formal Executiev Session, the leaders – for the most part Presidents and Prime Ministers – meet privately in a ‘Retreat’ setting. The atmosphere is informal, encouraging a full and frank exchange of views, and decisions are normally reached by consensus. Many important Commonwealth initiatives hae emerged from these Retreats.

Issues discussed include international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, law, multilateral trade issues, small states and youth affairs.

Commonwealth leaders have met regularly for more than a century. The first meetings, known as Colonial Conferences, began in 1887. In 1911, these were replaced by Imperial Conferences, held regularly until 1937. Between 1944 and the early 1960s, Commonwealth Prime Ministers Meetings were held almost annually in London.

In Singapore, in 1971, the term Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was adopted to encompass both Presidents and Prime Ministers. Since then, CHOGMs have taken place on a biennial basis.

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