Don McKinnon outlines priorities for CHOGM

Climate change is one of the priority issues that Commonwealth Heads of Government will discuss at their biennial meeting, which begins in Kampala, Uganda on 23 November 2007.

At a press briefing, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: “Ever since those large UN reports on climate change came out this year, they have convinced many people that we need to do a lot more than we are currently doing.”

The state of emergency in Pakistan, economic and international trade and good governance across the Commonwealth will also be discussed. Mr McKinnon added that Heads of Government will consider how member countries can achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is expected to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Serena Hotel in Kampala. She is also due to host a luncheon and a banquet for Heads later in the evening before they retire to Speke Resort Munyonyo, for their official retreat.

The Secretary-General said that on 22 November 2007, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) will meet to address the current state of emergency in Pakistan.

On 12 November 2007 CMAG urged the government of Pakistan to “fulfil its obligations in accordance with Commonwealth principles”. It warned of the possibility of suspension from the Commonwealth if this is not done.

A new Commonwealth Secretary-General will also be elected at the Meeting now that Mr McKinnon has been at the helm for eight years.

It was agreed at the 1993 CHOGM held in Cyprus that Secretaries-General would serve a maximum of two 4-year terms. A Restricted Session is held during the CHOGM, open only to Heads of Government and other Heads of Delegation with ministerial status.

Key Links:

• Sustainability
• Country Profile: Uganda