Chogm discusses inclusive growth

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) currently underway in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo is advocating for an all-inclusive growth as well as harnessing efforts to address debt management, solvency and resilience in small member states.The Summit, opened yesterday, is attended by several heads of state, prime ministers and dozens of foreign ministers, among others, from 51 Commonwealth member countries.President Paul Kagames is among world leaders from the Commonwealth countries gathered at the Indian Ocean Island for the three-day meeting.This is the second time the President attends the Commonwealth meeting since Rwanda joined the organisation of largely former British colonies in 2009. Britain’s Prince Charles, who represents his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the Commonwealth at the Chogm for the first time, is accompanied by his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said the goodwill and commitment of all member states to seeking and finding common ground has long been the Commonwealth strength.“It remains our springboard for the future. Painstaking at times, its rewards are immeasurable,” Sharma said. “Our Commonwealth approach is to see democracy, development, and respect for diversity, as mutually supportive and melding to form the bedrock of national harmony, and progress for all our people.”Sharma said Commonwealth societies should be able to share the fruits of prosperity and none should be left behind. The meeting that runs under the theme “Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development” will discuss, among other issues, climate finance for small and vulnerable states, practical trade measures to increase exports, unlocking the potential for member governments to assist each other directly and a proposed Commonwealth plan for broadband inclusion.Debt managementSharma called on participants to deliberate possible ways that would address the issue of debt management, solvency and resilience in small member countries.The heads of state ended their first day with a dinner hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. In CHOGM tradition, the second day sessions include a closed door informal retreat during which Heads of State and Government discuss collective policies and implementation. On the sidelines of Chogm, President Kagame held a bilateral meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during which both leaders discussed the continuous and close cooperation between both nations. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long expressed admiration for Rwanda’s development and invited the President to visit Singapore with a business delegation. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his government is stepping into a new era of peace, stability and renewed economic opportunities that have for long been denied to his people because of a near-three-decade civil.“Ending the menace of terrorism in 2009 that existed for nearly three decades, we asserted the greatest human right, the right to life. I am happy to state that in the past four years, there has not been a single terrorist related incident, anywhere in Sri Lanka,” Rajapaksa said.“In the case of Sri Lanka, our current policy agenda, the Mahinda Chinthana, vision for the future, spells out clear strategies of improving the livelihoods of our people, ensuring that economic and social benefits reach every member of the society,” the host leader added.At the last Chogm Summit in Perth, Australia, leaders came up with a charter of common values which committed members to respect human rights.Rajapaksa is due to chair the Commonwealth for the next two years.Chogm was founded in 1931, and is headed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

National

Chogm discusses inclusive growth