Developing priorities of the Commonwealth
23 January 2008
Commonwealth publication looks at the association’s beliefs and intentions set down at Heads of Government Meetings between 1997 and 2005
‘The Commonwealth at the Summit: Volume 3’ contains the full text of declarations, statements and communiqués issued by Commonwealth Heads of Government between 1997 and 2005. It follows Volumes 1 and 2 published in 1987 and 1997 respectively.
This latest volume explores the developing priorities of the Commonwealth and covers the summit meetings held in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) in 1997, Durban (South Africa) in 1999, Coolum (Australia) in 2002, Abuja (Nigeria) in 2003 and Valletta (Malta) in 2005.
But, as Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon notes in the book’s foreword, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs) are much more than just declarations, statements and communiqués.
“The beliefs, values and intentions that we in the Commonwealth set down in words at our biennial Heads of Government Meetings are designed to be of real and practical use – now and in the future,” he writes.
CHOGM communiqués, Mr McKinnon observes, reaffirm fundamental political values and address contemporary global political issues, as well as areas of particular political interest to the Commonwealth, such as the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, trade, debt and terrorism.
Mr McKinnon also notes the “consistency” and “freshness” of the documents, which detail the growth and progress of the Commonwealth’s work, including that of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which was established to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values.
“I am heartened by the logical and determined thread of our continued efforts to promote economic development, especially amongst our poorer, and our smaller, states,” he states.
“Our commitments and actions in the realms of health, education and gender are equally trackable. Similarly, it is heartening to follow the work of the High Level Review Group which reviewed the Commonwealth at 50 – from inception, to reporting, to action and results.”
HOW TO ORDER
This title can be bought through booksellers or online at http://publications.thecommonwealth.org/the-commonwealth-at-the-summit--communiqués-of-commonwealth-heads-of-government-meetings--volume-3--1997-2005-476-p.aspx
A full catalogue of Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation publications can be viewed on the website, which provides a secure online buying facility. Orders can also be made through e-mail or by post. Pre-payment is essential. Payment by sterling cheque, international money order, postal order or bank draft must accompany your order.
Payment should be in sterling, drawn on a UK bank and made out to the Commonwealth Secretariat. If you require the order form as an attachment in Word format please e-mail the Publications Section (see address below). Post and packaging charges should be added to every order in the following way: UK orders: 15 per cent of order value (minimum charge £2.00). Non-UK orders: 25 per cent of order value (minimum charge £3.50).
Send orders to: Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6534; Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081; E-mail: publications@commonwealth.int
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