CHOGM resolutions over the years
THE Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a biennial meeting of the government heads in commonwealth nations. The meeting is held in different states, and is chaired by that nation’s Prime Minister or President. CHOGM has attempted to create common policies on certain issues.
THE Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a biennial meeting of the government heads in commonwealth nations. The meeting is held in different states, and is chaired by that nation’s Prime Minister or President. CHOGM has attempted to create common policies on certain issues. Alfred Byenkya brings you some of the resolutions of CHOGM over the years
Jan 1971, Singapore, Singapore Chaired by Lee Kuan Yew
-Meetings of Commonwealth Prime Ministers were renamed Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings because many member countries were headed by Presidents.
-Issued the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles.
-Welcomed the establishment of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC) to foster development in commonwealth states.
Aug 1973, Ottawa, Canada. Chaired by Pierre Trudeau
-Released a statement on nuclear weapons tests.
-Endorsed the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
lIntroduced the Retreat designed to encourage free discussion among leaders.
Apr-May 1975, Kingston, Jamaica Chaired by Michael Manley
-Appointed a Commonwealth Expert Group to assist in narrowing the gulf between rich and poor countries.
-Set up a Commonwealth Committee on Cyprus to implement UN resolutions on Cyprus
-Prepared to welcome Namibia into membership after becoming independent.
-Mozambique, which was applying sanctions against Rhodesia at great cost to its economy, received aid.
-Elected Shridath Ramphal, Foreign Minister of Guyana to succeed Arnold Smith as Commonwealth Secretary-General.Â
June 1977, London, UK
Chaired by James Callaghan
-Recognised the central role played by South African policies in perpetuating the problems of South Africa. The Gleneagles Agreement discouraged sporting links with South Africa.
-A Ministerial Committee on Belize was set up to promote independence for that country.
Aug 1979, Lusaka, Zambia Chaired by Kenneth Kaunda.
-The commitment to Zimbabwe’s independence on the basis of majority rule and racial equality was confirmed through the Lusaka Declaration on Racism and Racial Prejudice.
-Approved the establishment of an Industrial Development Unit within the Secretariat and commissioned a study of factors inhibiting world economic growth.
-Tuvalu’s accession to special membership of the commonwealth was acknowledged.
Sep-Oct 1981, Melbourne, Australia Chaired by Malcolm Fraser
The Melbourne Declaration established principles for justice in world economic relationships.
-Commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their determination to ensure that Namibia’s right to independence be respected and condemned South Africa’s attempts to destabilise her.
Nov-Dec 1983, New Delhi, India Chaired by Indira Gandhi
-Issued the Goa Declaration on International Security which called for East-West dialogue, the end of the nuclear arms race and the strengthening of international machinery to resolve disputes.
-Constituted the commonwealth Action Group on Cyprus, issued the New Delhi Statement on Economic Action and set up a Consultative Group to promote agreement on key economic issues.
-Established special assistance for the Commonwealth’s small states, and initiated an expert study on their security and economic problems.
Oct 1985, Nassau, Bahamas Chaired by Lynden Pindling
-The Commonwealth Accord on Southern Africa demanded the dismantling of apartheid and agreed on measures to put pressure on Pretoria.
-In the Nassau Declaration on World Order, commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their support for the UN and called for a new framework of security.
Aug 1986, London
Chaired by Margaret Thatcher
Seven leaders met to review progress in South Africa following the Nassau initiatives and the visit of the Eminent Persons Group to South Africa that year. Six leaders decided on strong economic sanctions and intensive efforts to obtain concerted international support; the UK agreed limited measures plus participation in any European Community sanctions.
Oct 1987, Vancouver, Canada Chaired by Brian Mulroney
-The Vancouver Declaration on World Trade was issued. It pledged to work for a more open and viable trading system.
-The Okanagan Statement and Programme of Action on Southern Africa increased the pressure for change in South Africa and established a Committee of Foreign Ministers on Southern Africa.
-Inquires into global climate change, sea-level rise and the impact of structural adjustment programmes on women were instituted. They agreed to set up the Commonwealth of Learning to advance distance education.
October 1989, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Chaired by Mahathir bin Mohamad.
-The Langkawi Declaration on Environment was issued.
The Kuala Lumpur Statement entitled ‘Southern Africa: The Way Ahead’ maintained pressure on the Pretoria regime and endorsed the programme to bring peace and democracy to South Africa outlined in 1986. The meeting initiated a high-level appraisal of the role of the Commonwealth in the 1990s and beyond.
-Nigerian diplomat and former Foreign Minister Chief Emeka Anyaoku was elected to become the third Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, starting in July 1990.
Thecommonwealth.org, www.wikipedia.org
Jan 1971, Singapore, Singapore Chaired by Lee Kuan Yew
-Meetings of Commonwealth Prime Ministers were renamed Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings because many member countries were headed by Presidents.
-Issued the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles.
-Welcomed the establishment of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC) to foster development in commonwealth states.
Aug 1973, Ottawa, Canada. Chaired by Pierre Trudeau
-Released a statement on nuclear weapons tests.
-Endorsed the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
lIntroduced the Retreat designed to encourage free discussion among leaders.
Apr-May 1975, Kingston, Jamaica Chaired by Michael Manley
-Appointed a Commonwealth Expert Group to assist in narrowing the gulf between rich and poor countries.
-Set up a Commonwealth Committee on Cyprus to implement UN resolutions on Cyprus
-Prepared to welcome Namibia into membership after becoming independent.
-Mozambique, which was applying sanctions against Rhodesia at great cost to its economy, received aid.
-Elected Shridath Ramphal, Foreign Minister of Guyana to succeed Arnold Smith as Commonwealth Secretary-General.Â
June 1977, London, UK
Chaired by James Callaghan
-Recognised the central role played by South African policies in perpetuating the problems of South Africa. The Gleneagles Agreement discouraged sporting links with South Africa.
-A Ministerial Committee on Belize was set up to promote independence for that country.
Aug 1979, Lusaka, Zambia Chaired by Kenneth Kaunda.
-The commitment to Zimbabwe’s independence on the basis of majority rule and racial equality was confirmed through the Lusaka Declaration on Racism and Racial Prejudice.
-Approved the establishment of an Industrial Development Unit within the Secretariat and commissioned a study of factors inhibiting world economic growth.
-Tuvalu’s accession to special membership of the commonwealth was acknowledged.
Sep-Oct 1981, Melbourne, Australia Chaired by Malcolm Fraser
The Melbourne Declaration established principles for justice in world economic relationships.
-Commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their determination to ensure that Namibia’s right to independence be respected and condemned South Africa’s attempts to destabilise her.
Nov-Dec 1983, New Delhi, India Chaired by Indira Gandhi
-Issued the Goa Declaration on International Security which called for East-West dialogue, the end of the nuclear arms race and the strengthening of international machinery to resolve disputes.
-Constituted the commonwealth Action Group on Cyprus, issued the New Delhi Statement on Economic Action and set up a Consultative Group to promote agreement on key economic issues.
-Established special assistance for the Commonwealth’s small states, and initiated an expert study on their security and economic problems.
Oct 1985, Nassau, Bahamas Chaired by Lynden Pindling
-The Commonwealth Accord on Southern Africa demanded the dismantling of apartheid and agreed on measures to put pressure on Pretoria.
-In the Nassau Declaration on World Order, commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their support for the UN and called for a new framework of security.
Aug 1986, London
Chaired by Margaret Thatcher
Seven leaders met to review progress in South Africa following the Nassau initiatives and the visit of the Eminent Persons Group to South Africa that year. Six leaders decided on strong economic sanctions and intensive efforts to obtain concerted international support; the UK agreed limited measures plus participation in any European Community sanctions.
Oct 1987, Vancouver, Canada Chaired by Brian Mulroney
-The Vancouver Declaration on World Trade was issued. It pledged to work for a more open and viable trading system.
-The Okanagan Statement and Programme of Action on Southern Africa increased the pressure for change in South Africa and established a Committee of Foreign Ministers on Southern Africa.
-Inquires into global climate change, sea-level rise and the impact of structural adjustment programmes on women were instituted. They agreed to set up the Commonwealth of Learning to advance distance education.
October 1989, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Chaired by Mahathir bin Mohamad.
-The Langkawi Declaration on Environment was issued.
The Kuala Lumpur Statement entitled ‘Southern Africa: The Way Ahead’ maintained pressure on the Pretoria regime and endorsed the programme to bring peace and democracy to South Africa outlined in 1986. The meeting initiated a high-level appraisal of the role of the Commonwealth in the 1990s and beyond.
-Nigerian diplomat and former Foreign Minister Chief Emeka Anyaoku was elected to become the third Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, starting in July 1990.
Thecommonwealth.org, www.wikipedia.org