PM Kamla begins busy round of engagement at CHOGM in Australia

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Foreign Affairs and Communication Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan on their arrival in Perth, Australia for CHOGM 2011

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday begins a hectic round of engagements in Australia where she is leading the Trinidad and Tobago delegation to the 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which takes place from 28-30th October in Perth. 

The theme for CHOGM 2011 is “Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience."

Commonwealth Leaders will focus on, among others, issues related to food security, sustainable development and natural resource management. These are challenges that lie at the heart of national and global resilience for many member states.

On Tuesday she attends the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBC) at which she will deliver the feature address. 

The Forum provides an opportunity for delegates to learn about new business and investment opportunities, conduct business with other international partners and network with key government and business leaders.

Following the opening of the CBC, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold meeting with her host, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who will take over the chair of the Commonwealth from Persad-Bissessar.

Both Leaders are expected to discuss initiatives targeted to deepening the good relations which already exist between Trinidad and Tobago and Australia.

On arrival at the Perth International Airport the Prime Minister was greeted by Mr Terry Crane, Head of the CHOGM Taskforce.

Following her arrival the Prime Minister met with Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary General who briefed her on matters of Commonwealth Business.