Gilani represents Pakistan at Commonwealth moot
By Shafek E Koreshe
PERTH, (Australia) Oct 28 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday joined almost 50 other heads of governments and their representatives as they met here to discuss international peace and security, good governance and debt management. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre amidst tight security for consultations on major global issues at the highest level of the government. The leaders after the formal opening and an Executive session will meet privately informally at a Retreat setting for frank exchange of views.Prime Minister Gilani will have an opportunity to meet heads of the government and further Pakistan’s interests. He will also apprise the world leaders about the sacrifices the country has rendered to make the world a peaceful place and the enormous challenges it faced. At the opening of the meeting leaders of over 50 Commonwealth nations were introduced in turn, with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Queen at the end.
The event began with Australia’s national anthem “Advance Australia Fair” and was followed by a traditional Aboriginal welcome. The Commonwealth - a coalition of 54 independent countries is committed to promoting democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and equality, the rule of law and sustainable economic and social development.
Pakistan had an uneasy relationship with the Commonwealth in the past. It withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1972 over impending recognition of Bangladesh and rejoined the grouping in 1989, after an absence of 17 years.
 Pakistan’s membership was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth after the unconstitutional overthrow of the democratically elected government in 1999. Its suspension from Commonwealth councils was lifted in 2004, but again suspended from the councils in 2007. The suspension was finally lifted in 2008 after the new coalition government took over.
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar handed over the role of Chairwoman of the Commonwealth to Ms Gillard in the presence of the Queen.
The London-based organization represents about two billion people on six continents. Ms Persad-Bissessar said it was fitting that the theme of CHOGM 2011 was women as agents of change.
 Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard extended a “warm welcome” to the leaders and delegates and said it was a “time for renewal”.
“We are a Commonwealth of values, shared values of peace, democracy, racial equality, the rule of law and a commitment to social and economic progress,”  she said. Ms. Gillard called to make CHOGM 2011 memorable by giving the Commonwealth the direction it needed at a time of global uncertainty and risk.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said Perth was the third Australian city to host CHOGM and called for focussing on renewal and reform to make sure Commonwealth resilient and relevant for the future.
Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the meeting and hoped it would inject new vibrancy into the Commonwealth.
Attired in a powder blue silk jacquard dress and a sapphire brooch which previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the Queen said CHOGM was an opportunity for global action on global challenges.
She urged the leaders not to forget that the Commonwealth was a body not just of governments but of people. She mentioned the summit theme of women as agents of change and said “we must continue to strive in our own countries and across the Commonwealth together to promote that theme in a lasting way beyond this year.”
The event was attended by 21 Prime Ministers, 15 Presidents, 5 Vice Presidents, while the remaining countries were represented by 7 Foreign Ministers and other officials.