UK to host Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting -2018 from April 16

LONDON, Apr 10 (APP):The United Kingdom (UK) will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018, commencing from April 16, in London and Windsor UK.
The Commonwealth leaders will attend working sessions to discuss shared global challenges, and gather at Windsor Castle for the Leaders’Retreat – a day when leaders engage in frank dialogue and set the course for future Commonwealth co-operation.
Pakistan will participate in the meeting as a founding member of the Commonwealth, sources said.
According to the Commonwealth sources, the Leaders’ discussions would be enriched by a variety of events, centered on four forums taking place in London between April 16 to18 included People’s Forum, Business Forum, Youth Forum and Women’s Forum.
The theme of the meeting is-“Towards a Common Future”.
The Commonwealth is a diverse community of fifty-two (52) nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace.
The summit would focused on building on the strengths of the Commonwealth to ensure this unique organization is responsive to global challenges and delivers a more prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair future for all its citizens, particularly its young people, the sources added.
The four themes of the summit are:A more sustainable future, a fairer future,a more secure future and a more prosperous future of the members countries.The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 52 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) when leaders from all the member countries are expected to gather in London and Windsor (UK).
“They will come together to reaffirm our common values, address the shared global challenges we face and agree how to work to create a better future for all our citizens, particularly young people”, the sources said.
The Commonwealth is a unique membership of 52 nations spanning every continent, with
a combined population of around 2.4 billion people – over 60% of its people are under 30.
The Commonwealth is incredibly diverse, ranging from G7/G20 economies.
Unlike other international organizations, every member state has an equal voice in the
Commonwealth, meaning the interests of its 30 small states are addressed. Trade
between Commonwealth countries is projected to hit $1 trillion by 2020, supported by a
common language and legal systems.
Its members are united in their commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law
and the promotion of peace and prosperity – core values which underpin ‘The
Commonwealth Charter’. Its main purpose is to enable dialogue between its members on
issues of mutual concern, and at the bi-annual meeting of its heads of government
(‘CHOGM’), provides a mechanism for governments to solve problems together.
The Commonwealth Summit in April 2018 the UK will host the Commonwealth Summit to set out a shared future for a vibrant and diverse Commonwealth, with leaders from more than 52 countries expected to
attend. The Summit – one of the biggest national events since the Olympic Games – will
take place over seven days across London and Windsor with associated events and
festivals across the UK.
For the first time, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle will be among the summit
venues. During the Summit week, leaders from over 52 countries will gather for the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (‘CHOGM’).
The Summit will also see the UK take over as ‘Chair-in-Office’ of the Commonwealth until 2020.
The Commonwealth Summit Unit In January the Cabinet agreed to establish a new unit in the Cabinet Office – led by Tim Hitchens as CEO – to advise the Prime Minister on the delivery of the Summit, and to
oversee and coordinate its preparation.
The Unit will also support a new Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to provide ministerial oversight of Whitehall’s preparations.
The unit will expand to around 80 people in the coming months, comprised mainly of two
Directorates for policy and operations, led by Harriet Mathews and Sarah Bartholomew
respectively.