Democracy and economic development on the agenda in New York

Mr McKinnon is in New York from 20 to 23 September 2006 and will attend the 61st United Nations General Assembly and participate in a meeting between the UN and other international organisations. He will also attend three Commonwealth ministerial meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, including the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting on 22 September.

“Commonwealth Foreign Ministers continue to drive the issues which shape our modern world,” the Secretary-General said.

“Our talks -- on issues such as revitalising World Trade Organisation discussions following the suspension of the Doha Round; bridging the digital divide; promoting respect and understanding across faiths and communities; and meeting the huge social and economic challenges faced by the world’s small states -- are a testimony to the global reach and co-ordinated actions of an organisation representing nearly 2 billion people. These issues are central not only to the continued good health of the Commonwealth: they affect the entire family of 192 countries represented in the United Nations.”

Also on 22 September, a special Commonwealth Committee will review developments on the Belize/Guatemala border issue. On 23 September, the nine-country Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group will discuss Pakistan, the only item on its agenda.

Prior to his arrival in New York, Mr McKinnon had attended the XIV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Havana, Cuba, from 15 to 17 September. At the summit, he held bilateral talks with many of the Commonwealth Heads of Government whose nations constitute one-third of the Movement’s membership.

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 303, 20 September 2006

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