PM attends CHOGM’s retreat sessions on violent extremism, SDGs

BIRGU, Malta, Nov 28 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday along with other world leaders attended two retreat sessions on the second day of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that focused on violent extremism, Sustainable Development Goals and migration.
The sessions held at the 14th century old Saint Angelo Fort situated in Malta’s historic city of Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, gathered the world leaders to delve upon finding working solutions to the issues that were impacting the Commonwealth countries.
The sessions were joined by heads of government including Malta’s
Joseph Muscat, Britain’s David Cameron, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, Australia’s Malcolm Turnbull, French President Francois Hollande, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and other representatives from 53 member states.
The retreat sessions provided the CHOGM leaders an opportunity to mingle
with each other, and have their say in bilateral exchanges away from the public platform.
Besides exchange of pleasantries, the heads of government did not miss
the opportunity to share with each other their opinions on current global security challenges and the suite of domestic, regional and international policy responses required to counter extremism.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an informal interaction with other heads
of government conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorist activities whether committed by individuals, groups or states resulting in violence or threat of violence.
He apprised other leaders that Pakistan was also cooperating with
international community to deal with militancy and fully implemented
the UN Security Council Sanction regimes against terrorism.
He also expressed support for international efforts to counter the
threats posed by ISIL and to deal with the phenomenon of foreign
terrorists.
The CHOGM leaders shared views on promoting global partnerships
between the Commonwealth and other like-minded organizations
pursuing similar agendas and stressed upon the states to invest in
preventive measures to protect their citizens from threat of
violence extremism.
During the second retreat session held with the agenda of
implementation of SDGs and migration, the Prime Minister informed
other leaders that Pakistan was facing the issue of migrants and
refugees from over 35 years.
He stressed that Commonwealth must advocate long term view of
migration with more opportunities for regular and legal migration.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also exchanged views on the adoption of the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with particular attention to
the steps that might be taken by the Commonwealth governments to
accelerate implementation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also had a tete-a-tete with British Prime
Minister David Cameron and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull at the retreat sessions.