British Queen kicks off CHOGM today
November 27, 2009 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
PORT OF SPAIN: As the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) officially opens today the global community will be looking on as State heads discuss major issues, chief among them climate change.
The meeting is expected to be a precursor to the United Nations’ annual climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, from December 7-18. At that meeting nation leaders will try to agree on a pact to reduce emissions when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning, chairman of this year’s CHOGM in Port of Spain, told the audience at the Commonwealth People’s Forum earlier this week that CHOGM will be the last opportunity for some of the world’s biggest players to thrash it out over the climate change issue before the Copenhagen conference.
CHOGM kicks off with the Opening Ceremony and Cultural Programme at 9.50 a.m. today at the theatre stage of the newly opened National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain. The CHOGM events will remain there for the morning period.
At 11.20 a.m. the Official Photograph will be taken of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, who arrived yesterday, and Heads of Government, who have been arriving throughout the week. Over in Tobago at 11.30 a.m. His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh, will be arriving at Shaw Park.
Back in Trinidad at 11.45 a.m. there will be a joint reception for Heads of Government and invited guests hosted by Manning and Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma to be held at the National Academy.
At 2.30 p.m. events shift to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain with the Youth Dialogue with Heads of Government. The Hotel will also host the Executive Session I and Retreat Session I at 3.15 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively.
At 6.30 p.m. Manning and Sharma are scheduled to hold a press briefing at the International Financial Centre building and the day closes with the Queen hosting a dinner for Heads of Government and spouses at the Hyatt Hotel at 10 p.m.
British Queen kicks off CHOGM today was first posted on November 27, 2009 at 12:15 pm.
