The
Commonwealth: facts
LONDON
Petroleumworldtt.com
11 18 07
The biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
or CHOGM is being held this week in Kampala, Uganda. Here are some facts about
the organisation:
- The Commonwealth is a voluntary coalition of 53 independent countries committed
to promoting democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and equality,
the rule of law and sustainable economic and social development.
- Based in London, it represents about two billion people -- nearly a third of
the world's population -- of all faiths, races, cultures and traditions.
- The organisation is a legacy of British colonial times, with all members, except
Mozambique, having direct or indirect experience of rule under the British Empire.
Most have English as an official language.
- Member states are: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Bangladesh;
Barbados; Belize; Botswana; Britain; Brunei; Cameroon; Canada; Cyprus; Dominica;
Fiji; The Gambia; Ghana; Grenada; Guyana; India; Jamaica; Kenya; Kiribati; Lesotho;
Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Malta; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Nauru; New
Zealand; Nigeria; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St
Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Solomon
Islands; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Swaziland; Tanzania; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago;
Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; and Zambia.
- Fiji was suspended in December 2006 after a military coup and will not attend.
Pakistan is facing suspension if constitutional rule is not reimposed by November
22, the day before the three-day summit officially opens.
- Queen Elizabeth II, 81, has been Head of the Commonwealth since her accession
to the throne in 1952, although the position is not enshrined in law. She is
also head of state in 16 Commonwealth countries.
- Don McKinnon, 68, a former New Zealand deputy prime minister and foreign minister,
is the current Commonwealth secretary-general. His successor will be chosen at
the summit.
- Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March every year and
aims to highlight the body's work and core principles.
- The last CHOGM was held in Malta in November 2005. The next CHOGM will be held
in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.
Story
from AFP 20
0154 GMT 11 07
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