Bharat SainiLast Updated on June 1, 2018 by Bharat Saini
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM 2018) its 25th meeting- first full Heads of Government meeting in almost forty years was held in the United Kingdom from 19 to 20 April 2018 and discussed how the Commonwealth can contribute to a future which is fairer, more sustainable, more secure and more prosperous. A gathering of Heads of Government of its 53 member states that comprise 2.4 billion people of which 60% are under the age of 30 affirmed that youth empowerment, as well as gender equality, are critical in realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the aspirations of the Commonwealth Charter. They recognised that the Commonwealth has always been a strong advocate for the causes of small states that constitute over 60% of its membership, and has consistently raised international awareness of their inherent vulnerabilities. Heads recognised that the strength of the Commonwealth lay in the collaboration among its member countries, people-to-people organisations and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
CHOGM 2015 its 24th meeting was held in Malta from 27 to 29 November 2015 with Commonwealth Chair-in-Office held by the government leader of the CHOGM host country Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat, was transferred at the summit from to the Prime Minister of United Kingdom Theresa May, who will hold the post until the 26th CHOGM expected in 2020.
Heads of Government welcomed and accepted the offer of the President of Rwanda to host their next meeting in 2020. They also welcomed the offer of Samoa to host the 2022 CHOGM.
On CHOGM 2018’s formal opening at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II – the Queen of the United Kingdom, who in 1952 became Head of the Commonwealth said, “Here at Buckingham Palace in 1949, my father (George VI) met the Heads of Government when they ratified the London Declaration, which created the Commonwealth as we know it today – then comprising just eight nations.” “Put simply, we are one of the world’s great convening powers”. “The Commonwealth Canopy has emphasised our interdependence, while the Commonwealth Blue Charter promises to do the same in protecting our shared ocean resources”. 91-year-old Queen Elizabeth expressed her sincere wish that the Commonwealth would choose Charles, Prince of Wales as her successor to lead the 53-nation community.
Prime Minister Theresa May said, “It’s a meeting that takes place at a time of significant global challenges. The rules-based international system, which has consistently delivered both prosperity and peace, faces threats in many forms and on many fronts.” And spoke of incredible opportunity to member countries to take on some of the 21st century’s biggest questions of developing through trade, pushing back against protectionism, for a more prosperous Commonwealth; and of responding to threats to the rules based international order and from cyber-attacks, creating a more secure Commonwealth.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC said, “CHOGM is our springboard for action. It is the launch pad that propels us onward, upward, forward together.” He added that we now have the Commonwealth Innovation Hub and Commonwealth Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform for upholding democracy, the rule of law and human rights; and to hasten the processes to tackle climate change and plastic pollution, to eliminate child, early and forced marriage and modern slavery, to eradicate polio and malaria, and to reduce prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings are distinctive for being both receptive and responsive to the needs of all – especially the young, the marginalised and the vulnerable.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the event was seen as a significant moment for the group as it was after eight-year period that any Indian Prime Minister participated in a CHOGM, and it was hoped that renewed interest from India will give new impetus and relevance to the CHOGM. Modi at Westminster Central Hall on Wednesday on 18 April, 2018 at the ‘Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath’ event said, “I had not been able to visit the last summit and this time, it was an honour that Prince Charles came personally to India last year to invite me for it. The Queen herself wrote a personal letter to me, a matter of great pride for India.” Modi urged the Commonwealth to put sustainable development and climate change, particularly of small island states, at the heart of its agenda, as India announced an increased funding for various Commonwealth initiatives and sought to take a leadership role in a renewed group.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held several bilateral meetings alongside attending the executive sessions of the CHOGM, that include with Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Prime Minister of Mauritius Kumar Jugnauth; Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni; Gambian President Adama Barrow; President of the Seychelles Danny Faure; Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Gaston Brown; President of Kiribati Taneti Maamau; Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama; Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet, and Solomon Islands PM Rick Houenipwela. However, no meeting took place with the Pakistani Prime Minister.
