President Zuma arrives for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Trinidad and Tobago, 27 - 29 November 2009

Pretoria- South African President Jacob Zuma arrived today, Thursday, 26 November 2009, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. President Zuma is supported by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and the newly appointed South African High Commissioner in London, Ambassador Zola Skweyiya. The meeting is scheduled for 27-29 November 2009.

South Africa participates in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) within the context of North-South Cooperation in pursuance of understanding Global issues such as climate change, sustaining biodiversity and conserving water resources.

Accordingly, the theme for the 2009 CHOGM is “Partnering for a more Equitable and Sustainable Future”. The Common Heads of Government meeting will be preceded by the CHOGM meeting for Foreign Affairs Ministers, which will take on 25 - 26 November 2009. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) will also met on 25 November 2009.

The Heads of Government meeting will discuss amongst others:

• Global Economic Situation including the impact on Small States and Vulnerable States and the Reform of International Institutions;
• Climate Change;
• Youth, and
• The application of Rwanda to become a member of the Commonwealth.

South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994, shortly after first democratic elections, and in November 1999 South Africa both hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Durban and assumed the Chair for the next two years. Commonwealth leaders meet every two years to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, agree on collective policies and initiatives. These Summits provide a unique forum for consultations at the highest level of Government. They are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

For further information please contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 1647.

Department of International Relation and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

26 November 2009