Commonwealth leaders to discuss reform of international institutions at London summit

The reform of international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will be discussed by Commonwealth leaders when they meet in London on 9-10 June 2008.

The following leaders will be attending the 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,” said Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.

The meeting will focus on practical steps which Commonwealth member states can take to achieve reform and coherence of global institutions. Its three-part focus will be on the international financial institutions, global environmental governance, and the UN system. It is the first step in implementing the decision of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 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.

“We have to reform our global financial institutions. It is absolutely clear that the national supervision that we have is inadequate and we need a global agreement,” said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who will chair the mini-summit.

Note to Editors and Media Advisory

A press conference is scheduled to be held at the end of the meeting on 10 June at around 1300 hrs. Journalists wishing to cover this meeting and press conference, please send a media accreditation request with 2 passport-size photos (in .jpg format, and a supporting letter from your editor) to Julius Mucunguzi, Communications Officer at email: j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int and cc: c.price@commonwealth.int.

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Media Accreditation Form

For media enquiries, please contact Mr Eduardo del Buey, Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs Division on email: e.delbuey@commonwealth.int or Tel: 020-7747-6380 or Mobile: +44-7740-450-901.

Secretariat Links:

• Heads of Government Meeting on Reform of International Institutions