PM Kamla thanks Australia, says CHOGM 2011 remains effective in dealing with challenges

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in Australia Sunday the Commonwealth's reform agenda will maintain the organisation's relevance and ensure its effectiveness in responding to contemporary challenges.

She was speaking at the news conference at the close of the 2011 Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at which she handed over the chair of the Commonwealth to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Persad-Bissessar said the leaders agreed to strengthen the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), noting that the Group remains the custodian of the Commonwealth's values and principles, without considerable increase in cost to member states.

"Strengthening of CMAG is a positive development and will go a long way to preserving Commonwealth values, as well as act as an effective check on any attacks upon human rights in Members states," she said.

Persad-Bissessar added that her country is grateful for CARICOM support "for allowing us, represented by Dr. Rambachan, to continue as a member of CMAG for a second term. With our Minister of Foreign Affairs as a member we will be able to remain engaged as we strengthen CMAG’s role to deal with serious and persistent violation of Commonwealth values."

She also spoke of a new Commonwealth charter to be approved by leaders following a meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers in September 2012 after a process of consultation to ensure that the principles and aspirations of the 54 member association are fully reflected in the Charter.

"The Charter is expected to draw together elements included in all agreements and declarations made by Commonwealth member states dating back to the Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles of 1971, which forms the association's fundamental values and principles," she said.

Leaders approved the Perth Declaration on Food Security Principles intended to address the volatility of global food markets which have resulted in humanitarian crises around the world affecting vulnerable developing countries. They also agreed to adopt measures for financial support to increase food production in African countries.

She also addressed the issue of the participation of civil society in the affairs of states, noting that the need for greater involvement in the political process in self- determination and in policy formulation. 

"We cannot afford to ignore the voice of the people. This is even more important given the youthful population of the Commonwealth and the growing restlessness of youth globally," she said.

"We must try and ensure that perceptions and/or feelings of alienation/marginalization by youth should be managed and that by youths must become involved in national affairs.

CHOGM also deliberated and agreed to collaborate on a range of political, economic, social and environmental challenges of importance to its member states. Persad-Bissessar said these included, inter alia issues such as:

• Climate Change and sustainable Development 
• Effective resource management 
• Attainment of the Millennium Development Goals 
• Universal access to health care including accelerating the implementation of the Political Declaration of the UN High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable diseases which was spearheaded by CARICOM states 
• Migration 
• Human Trafficking 
• Terrorism 
• Gender equality 
• Trade related issues, including the Doha Development Round 

She said, "Of special relevance to Small Island developing states was the Commonwealth and Small States Foreign Ministers Meeting, which examined the particular vulnerabilities of small states and areas for collaboration and building resilience. I wish to commend the Government of Australia on this initiative.

"This CHOGM was also notable for its very successful Business Forum, Peoples Forum and Youth Forum. Of special note was the very productive engagement between civil society and Foreign Ministers."

The meeting also agreed to have the Commonwealth foster a greater relationship with the UN and to seek reform of the Security Council.

It also agreed to seek the assistance of G20 member states within the Commonwealth to push matters affecting Commonwealth states in G20 talks.

With respect to how CHOGM affects Trinidad & Tobago, Persad-Bissessar said this includes stepping up its bilateral conversation with member states towards relaxing the requirements for Commonwealth citizens entering Trinidad and Tobago for business or holiday. 

She said she is also exploring the possibility of direct flights from South Africa and India to Trinidad and Tobago

The Prime Minister thanked the Government of Australia for its excellent logistical and security arrangements. "It has hosted a CHOGM of which it can be justly proud," she said.
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