Heads of Government Meeting on Reform of International Institutions

10 Commonwealth leaders gathered in London on June 9 and 10 2008 to discuss the reform of international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The following leaders attended the June 9-10 2008 mini-summit: President Bharrat Jagdeo (Guyana), President Maumoon Gayoom (Maldives), Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Mauritius), President Mahinda Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka), President Jakaya Kikwete (United Republic of Tanzania), Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele (Tonga), Prime Minister Patrick Manning (Trinidad and Tobago), President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Prime Minister Gordon Brown (United Kingdom). Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will represent Malaysia and Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama will represent Ghana at the meeting.

“There is a need for change, and that change must reflect the full global spectrum of interests and needs. International institutions must support an inclusive and comprehensive globalisation, which benefits the entire global community.”

The meeting focused on practical steps which Commonwealth member states can take to achieve the reform and coherence of global institutions. Its three-part focus was on the international financial institutions, global environmental governance, and the UN system.

The meeting was the first step in implementing the decision of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), at which leaders decided to establish a small representative group from their 53-member association, to undertake lobbying and advocacy for the reform of international institutions.