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The Commonwealth has grown massively in the last few decades. Above, the 10 representatives in 1956. Below, the over 50 members at the Meeting in 2000. |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 21ST 2005 The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will be represented by a three-man delegation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta.
The Meeting from November 25th to 27th will be declared open on Friday by Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
The other members of Prime Minister Douglas delegation are Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and London-based High Commissioner His Excellency Mr. James Williams.
Discussions on matters affecting Small Island Developing States, Promotion of the Commonwealths Fundamental Political Values, the Report of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration and the outcomes of the United Nations 2005 World Summit are on the agenda.
Commonwealth leaders will also discuss the special theme: Networking the Commonwealth for Development.
Commonwealth Heads of Government - for the most part, Presidents and Prime Ministers - meet every two years for a few days to discuss world and Commonwealth issues, and to agree collective policies and initiatives. These summits provide a unique forum for consultation at the highest level of government.
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Prime Minister of Malta, the Hon Lawrence Gonzi (right) receives Commonwealth Secretary-General His Excellency, Mr. Don McKinnon at Auberge de Castille, Valletta, Malta on November 21st 2005. |
To encourage frank exchanges of views, every effort is made to promote an informal atmosphere. After a public opening session, discussions are held in camera, the number of advisers restricted and written speeches discouraged. No votes are taken; decisions are normally reached by consensus. Each meeting includes a Retreat when Commonwealth leaders, unaccompanied by other ministers or officials, have complete privacy.
Many important initiatives have emerged from these Retreats. Commonwealth leaders have met regularly for more than a century - although as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (or CHOGM) only since 1971 in Singapore.
The first meetings, known as Colonial Conferences, began in 1887. In 1911, these were replaced by Imperial Conferences, held regularly until 1937. Between 1944 and the early 1960s, Commonwealth Prime Ministers Meetings were held almost annually in London.
At Singapore, in 1971, the term Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was adopted to encompass both Presidents and Prime Ministers. CHOGMs have been held every two years since.
