Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette is leading a Bahamian delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), in Perth, Australia from Monday, October 24 to Monday, October 31, 2011.
The Commonwealth is made up of the world’s largest and smallest, richest and poorest countries and home to two billion people of all faiths and ethnicities – half of whom are under the age of 25. Member countries span six continents and oceans from Africa to Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and the South Pacific.
Leaders of the 54 Commonwealth countries meet every two years to discuss global and Commonwealth issues and to agree on collective policies and initiatives.
CHOGM 2011 will be the largest ever gathering of world leaders in Australia and the biggest international event to be held in Perth for almost 50 years. It also provides an opportunity for Commonwealth leaders to discuss world issues relevant to building a strong and secure future for all.
The theme for CHOGM 2011 is “Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the Commonwealth, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will visit Perth and officially open CHOGM on Friday, October 28 and then Heads of Government will participate in the ‘Retreat Leaders’ Meeting on October 29-30.
Mr. Symonette met with other Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and of Australia to discuss matters of mutual interests, including coral reef management, initiatives to support youth and non-communicable diseases.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Australian Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, Peter David.
The rest of the delegation attended pre-CHOGM meetings at the level of technical officials such as the finalisation of the Draft Communiqué, the outcome document of CHOGM for review by CHOGM Foreign Ministers and final adoption by the Heads of Government on the final day of the conference.
Mr. Symonette is being accompanied by His Excellency Paul Farquharson, Bahamas High Commissioner to the Court of St. James; Marilyn Zonicle, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Michael Guy, Second Secretary/Vice Consul, Bahamas High Commission, London.
By Lindsay Thompson
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
