The
22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM began in Colombo, Sri
Lanka on 15 November 2013. The Summit was inaugurated by Prince Charles of
England, who is representing Queen Elizabeth at the Commonwealth Summit. The
theme for CHOGM 2013 is Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development.
The
official symbol for CHOGM is Water lily flower. The logo symbolises the blue
water lily (Nil Manel), the national flower of Sri Lanka. The multi coloured
petals represent the diversity, liveliness and unity among different
Commonwealth countries within a global perspective.
External
Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is represented the India in the 22nd
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This year, CHOGM in Sri
Lanka, the first time an Asian country is hosting the summit in 24 years. The
last CHOGM Summit (in 2011) was held at Perth, Australia.
About
CHOGAM
The
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years to
enable leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and
Commonwealth issues, and to decide on collective policies and initiatives.
Every
CHOGM is jointly organized by the host country and the Commonwealth
Secretariat. These biennial meetings serve as the principal policy and
decision-making forum to guide the strategic direction of the association.
Commonwealth
leaders have been coming together for discussions since 1949, but the title
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was adopted during a session in
Singapore in 1971. This specific classification was used to depict the
gathering of both presidents and prime ministers in the event.
One
unique aspect of the meeting is that the formal opening ceremony and the formal
Executive Session are followed by a where leaders meet privately for
discussions. With an informal atmosphere, this session allows heads of state to
freely and frankly exchange their views on important issues and come to a
consensus.
Previous
CHOGMs have focused on a range of global issues, including international peace
and security, democracy, climate change, multilateral trade issues, good
governance, sustainable development, small states, debt management, education,
environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication
technology, and youth affairs.
The
theme of the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia, was Building National Resilience,
Building Global Resilience.
About
the Commonwealth of Nations
The
Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 53 countries, many of
them former territories of the British Empire. It was established in 1949. The
head of the Commonwealth is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Member
countries
Fifty-three
countries are members of the Commonwealth. These Countries are from Africa,
Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse – they are amongst
the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. Thirty-two of our
members are classified as small states – countries with a population size of
1.5million people or less and larger member states that share similar
characteristics with them.
Leaders
of member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities. Every two
years, they meet to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth and the wider
world at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
All
members have an equal say regardless of size or economic stature. This ensures
even the smallest member countries have a voice in shaping the Commonwealth.
The
last two countries to join The Commonwealth - Rwanda and Mozambique - have no
historical ties to the British Empire. Four countries - Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Fiji
and Pakistan - have been suspended from the Commonwealth in the past.
The
Gambian Government on 2 October 2013 announced that it is pulling out of the
Commonwealth with immediate effect.
Gambian, a West African country joined the Commonwealth of Nations in
1965.
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें