Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago

At their 2007 summit in Kampala, Uganda, Heads of Government reaffirmed their decision to meet in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 at the invitation of the Government of that country.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Port of Spain from 27-29 November 2009.

Click on the link below for more information

Official Website

CHOGM 2009 Media Pack

Collection of useful background documents for media covering the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), available to download individually or all together as part of a zip file.

Click here

What is CHOGM?

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives. These summits provide a unique forum for consultation at the highest level of government. They are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

After a public opening ceremony and a formal Executive Session, the leaders – for the most part Presidents and Prime Ministers – meet privately in a ‘Retreat’ setting. The atmosphere is informal, encouraging a full and frank exchange of views, and decisions are normally reached by consensus. Many important Commonwealth initiatives have emerged from these Retreats.

Issues discussed include international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, law, multilateral trade issues, small states and youth affairs.