Commonwealth, Kampala, Uganda
20 November 2007
South African President Thabo Mbeki supported by Deputy Foreign Minister Sue
van der Merwe, will on 23 to 25 November 2007 lead a senior South African
government delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
which will be held under the banner, "Transforming Commonwealth Societies to
Achieve Political, Economic and Human Development", in Kampala, Uganda.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be preceded by a Pre-CHOGM
Meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers scheduled from Wednesday to Thursday,
21 to 22 November 2007 to which Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe will
lead the South African delegation. Deputy Minister van der Merwe will depart
from South Africa for Uganda on Tuesday, 20 November 2007.
It is expected that the foreign ministers will have substantive discussions
on issues such as democracy, good office, terrorism, international trade and
economic co-operation, financing for development, environmental issues and
international disasters.
In addition, foreign ministers will receive reports from the Commonwealth
Foundation, Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the Commonwealth Business Forum,
and the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) and Civil
Society.
Heads of Government are also expected to focus their discussions on:
* global challenges including terrorism, conflict prevention and resolution,
peace and consensus building
* the Commonwealth's fundamental political values including democracy and
democratic process, good governance, separation of constitutional powers,
public accountability and transparency, prevention of corrupt practises,
protection of human rights, the rule of law, freedom of the press, empowerment
of women and other disadvantaged sections of the society and a vibrant civil
society
* economic liberalisation and global economic stability including debt
relief, aid architecture, poverty eradication, trade justice, climate change,
role of the State as a facilitator of economic reform and opportunities, and
assessment of progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in
particular education, gender equality, health and HIV/AIDS
* development issues including capacity and institution building in member
countries especially small states, and strengthening the Commonwealth Fund for
Technical Co-operation (CFTC)
* networking for development through strategic partnerships: linking the
Commonwealth, its global partners and the regional and international
organisations for development
* climate change which is an issue that has gained considerable
international importance since the Malta CHOGM and needs an international
response that is relevant to many Commonwealth members, especially small
states.
Heads of government will also receive reports of the Commission on Respect
and Understanding, the Committee on Commonwealth Membership and the Steering
Committee on Commonwealth Connects.
The CHOGM shall as part of the agenda, appoint a new Secretary-General who
will succeed the Honourable Donald McKinnon.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration will
also meet on Thursday, 22 November 2007 to finalise its report. The Committee
of the whole at the level of senior officials will meet on Tuesday, 20 November
2007 to finalise the draft communiqué, which will be submitted to the
ministers.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 November 2007
Source: SAPA
