‘Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future’ is theme of CHOGM 2009

Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, on 27 November 2008 announced the theme for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2009 – ‘Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future’.

The summit will be hosted in Port of Spain on 27-29 November 2009.

Mr Manning said: “The Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth family to our shores. Preparations are well advanced for a successful meeting.

“This important meeting of world leaders will come at a time when important questions about the globalisation process are being raised. In the face of the instability and uncertainty generated by the latest global developments, it is our duty as leaders to come up with bold and innovative solutions and to restore confidence in the multilateral process.

“CHOGM 2009 will place partnership at the centre of the process of change, while emphasising the inter-connected relationship between the need to strive for equity and the imperative of a human and natural environment that is sustainable.”

Commenting on the theme, the Secretary-General said: “The Commonwealth is an example of global partnership at work and the Commonwealth must also be in the vanguard of inclusive and fair globalisation. The critical challenges before the world are collectives ones, as are the solutions. In its work, the modern Commonwealth has been an exemplar of the unity of the global community. The collective agenda – whether pertaining to global governance, democracy, prosperity or environment – has to be approached equitably to be sustainable.

“The Commonwealth is an association that brings together governments and peoples, nations individually and collectively, and values and actions. CHOGM in 2009 will be about partnership, global engagement and coherence, lifting the intrinsic strength of the Commonwealth to a new level.”

Mr Sharma added that CHOGM 2009 would bring Trinidad and Tobago as a nation and the Caribbean into prominence. He said preparations for the event were firmly on track.

The theme seeks to underscore the importance of multilateral approaches to resolving global challenges. Its underlying message is that only through genuine partnership can the world achieve sustainable and equitable human development.

The call for partnership is also a signal for governments, the private sector and civil society in the Commonwealth to work together for a more secure and prosperous future for all.

At their 2007 summit in Kampala, Uganda, Commonwealth Heads of Government reaffirmed their decision to meet in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.

CHOGM is the highest consultative and policy-making mechanism of the Commonwealth. It is convened every two years to review political and economic developments that impact on the association, and to conduct a strategic overview of the Commonwealth's work in support of the interests of member countries and in a global perspective.

For media enquiries:

In Port of Spain: Wesley Gibbings, Co-ordinator – Communications, Press and Publications: +868 489-9006 and email: wesley.gibbings@opm.gov.tt and wgibbings@yahoo.com