CHOGM 20l5: the invisible summit holds out promise for rejuvenation

• Published in: New Zealand international review Vol. 41; no. 2; p. 10
• Main Author: McIntyre, W David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wellington New Zealand Institute of International Affairs 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Citizens; Commonwealth; Heads of government; Mass media; Migration; News; Rites & ceremonies; Summit conferences; Terrorism; Values; Youth; United Kingdom > UK; Africa; Scotland; Edinburgh Scotland; Malta
• ISSN: 0110-0262

The Commonwealth summit in Malta in November 2015 went unnoticed by the media. Paris dominated the news after the terrorist outrages of 13 November and in the light of the world climate conference that started on 20 November. In the same month the Valletta EU-Africa Migration Summit, 11-12 November, and the Antalya G20 meetings, 15-16 November, attracted more column inches than the Commonwealth. At Edinburgh that year they inaugurated the Tri-sector Commonwealth. They held the first Youth Forum, Business Forum, and People's Forum ahead of the heads of government meetings. Because of the growing frequency of international summitry, Commonwealth heads of government meetings have been pared down to two-and-a-half days -- virtually an opening ceremony, short executive sessions and the leaders' Retreat. Heads of government in their communique recognised the contribution of 'Commonwealth organisations and individual citizens' in the pursuit of the association's `values, principles, goals and priorities'.