Tuesday December 1, 2009
CHOGM has proven relevance, says Najib
PORT OF SPAIN: The Common- wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has proven its relevance by taking a strong stance on important global issues affecting member countries, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
As an example, the Prime Minister cited the joint declaration by the Commonwealth leaders on climate change that would act as a precursor to the United Nations summit on climate change in Copenhagen this month.
Conclave of leaders: Najib walking with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (right) after the latter had officially closed the 20th CHOGM meeting on Sunday. — Bernama “CHOGM has answered critics who raised the issue of its relevance. The Commonwealth’s stance represents all global communities,” Najib told the Malaysian media on Sunday before departing for home.
He said CHOGM 2009 had convened a special session on climate change and made a joint declaration for the world to act.
It also pressed for a legally-binding treaty on industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emission, proposed a quick start-up fund to help poor countries hit by natural disasters and recognised the vulnerability of small island nations.
Najib noted that the grouping was unique due to its diversity as it represented both the developed world and developing countries, including small island nations that were most vulnerable to environment threats resulting from global warming.
Najib also said that the Commonwealth, as an institution, could help in the rehabilitation of a country, as in the case of its latest member, Rwanda, which was almost devastated by the 1994 tribal conflict that led to genocide.
The call for a 2011 summit to discuss non-communicable diseases, he observed, was very meaningful as many Malaysians and other global communities were suffering from illnesses like diabetes, heart problems and cancer.
The Commonwealth secretariat’s move to set up a portal to reach out to the young generation also showed its relevance, he added.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), comprising nine foreign ministers, has agreed to be more responsive towards urgent situations affecting member countries.
Anifah, who chaired the 32nd CMAG meeting here, said the group concurred on the need to play a more active role in dealing with serious violations of the Harare Princi- ples instead of confining to situations involving the unconstitutional overthrow of elected governments.
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