Trinidad and Tobago launches 2009 CHOGM logo, website

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma officially launched the countdown to the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) with the unveiling of the logo and website in Port of Spain on 30 June 2008.

Mr Sharma arrived in Trinidad at the weekend ahead of the Monday event. On Sunday he visited some of the possible conference venues, hotels and general infrastructure that are expected to support the summit. A CHOGM involves meetings of leaders and foreign ministers, as well as several parallel events, such as business, people’s and youth forums.

“CHOGM will catapult Trinidad and Tobago as a nation and the Caribbean as a region into the prominence they deserve,” stated Mr Sharma. “This country is a dynamo for the Caribbean, a place of energy – both literal and metaphorical.”

Mr Manning announced that CHOGM 2009 would be held on 27-29 November in the Trinidad and Tobago capital, Port of Spain. The Secretary-General will now formally inform Heads of Government about the date.

Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as a dynamic economy and hub for international businesses, boasting one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in the Caribbean and Latin America.

“To host a big summit like CHOGM requires meticulous preparations, in terms of the logistics and infrastructure as well as the substance of the meeting. We at the Commonwealth Secretariat, who have considerable experience of organising such summits, work in close partnership with the host government,” said Mr Sharma.

Before the launch on Monday, Mr Sharma held talks with Mr Manning which focused on the preparations for the CHOGM and other issues of interest to Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth, including Caribbean regional issues. The Secretary-General also called on Trinidad and Tobago President Professor George Maxwell Richards, Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, House Speaker Barendra Sinanan and Leader of the Opposition Basdeo Panday.

Mr Sharma was then due to fly to Antigua and Barbuda on 1 July for the second leg of his official visit to the Caribbean, where he had been invited to address regional leaders at the 29th Regular Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Click here for the full text of Kamalesh Sharma's speech

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Trinidad & Tobago
• CHOGM

Related News:

• CHOGM 2009