23 November 2007
Kampala — SIXTEEN Presidents and 20 Prime Ministers are attending CHOGM 2007. In addition, there are 20 delegated representatives. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame was invited as a special guest of President Yoweri Museveni.
The countries not attending include Maldives, St Lucia and the Solomon Islands. Pakistan is also not represented.
The opening ceremony at Serena International Conference Centre was coloured by a cast of 65 artists who took the delegates through more than 40 years of Uganda's history in a 28-minute music, dance and light show called "Journey to Self Realisation".
Fifty tons of equipment for lighting, sound and other effects had been used for the splendid performance, produced by Ugandan playwright Alex Mukulu, Ugandan promoter, Events Warehouse and the South Africa group Gearhouse.
"I am delighted to be joining you here in Kampala and to see for myself a Commonwealth in such good health," the Queen said in her opening speech.
She praised the leadership of Don McKinnon as Commonwealth Secretary-General. "He has brought energy and passion to the stewardship of the Commonwealth through the first years of a new century," she said to an applause.
When she first addressed a meeting of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth thirty years ago, Papua New Guinea and the Seychelles were welcomed as its 32nd and 33rd members, she noted. "Since then, our association has continued to attract new members while addressing the great preoccupations and concerns of our times."
She remarked that the theme chosen for the Kampala CHOGM, Transforming Societies, conveyed a clear commitment to change for the better.
"No single society has achieved perfection, and there is no single recipe for success. No-one could expect that. But we do know that giving people the greatest possible voice in the way they are governed, and the greatest possible access to education, are two of the most important ingredients."
The Queen called for open and tolerant communities in the Commonwealth. "I hope that, in your discussion about transforming societies, you will consider this abiding principle: that we should treat those around us as we would wish to be treated ourselves," she said.
She said she was pleased that this year, fresh attention was being given to young people, who make up nearly half of the Commonwealth's population.
"The conclusions drawn from the Youth Forum earlier this week show an almost limitless optimism and enthusiasm. This is an energy that should be tapped more fully. Young people can and should play a part in the many global challenges that cannot be resolved by older generations alone."
Referring to the Ugandan proverb, 'Those who walk together warn each other' she said the Commonwealth tradition was one of strength in diversity, as well as strength in unity.
The Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon, who relinquishes his position on Sunday, outlined some of the achievements of the Commonwealth since the last CHOGM.
"Since we last met in Malta two years ago, a great deal has been done, including entrenching democracy and promoting development at the level of governments and citizens.
He urged the leaders to help find solutions to climate change and the needs of the millions of young people.
"The issue of young people is very serious. Without them at the core of our planning, our budgeting and our doing, our Commonwealth has no future," he added.
The outgoing chairman, Malta Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, said Commonwealth countries were faced with new challenges, such as climate change, globalisation, the digital divide, the price of oil and the rising price of cereals.
On climate change, he said the Commonwealth nations should send a strong message of support to the forthcoming UN conference on climate change in Bali.
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