PM Lee to attend CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago
By Hoe Yeen Nie/Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 November 2009 0614 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will attend the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago from Friday.

The biennial meeting takes place in the city of Port of Spain from November 27 to 29.

Mr Lee will have bilateral meetings with other Commonwealth leaders on the sidelines of the event.

He will also make an official visit to Cuba from November 29 to December 1, his first to the country.

Mr Lee is expected to meet senior Cuban leaders and will visit several scientific and medical institutes.

These include the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, and the Latin American School of Medicine.

Mr Lee will be accompanied by Mrs Lee, Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo and officials from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, and the Environment and Water Resources ministries, and A*STAR.

The CHOGM is expected to focus on trade and climate change.

Mr Lee joins other leaders at the Caribbean island to discuss the issue of sustainable growth as economies prepare for a post-crisis landscape.

Just about two weeks after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Singapore, world leaders are gathering to discuss issues of international concern.

Like APEC, the CHOGM is convening at a time when the world is dealing with the ripple effects of the unprecedented global financial crisis.

The theme for the meeting is 'Partnering For A More Equitable and Sustainable Future' and leaders are expected to continue with their talks on new and sustainable growth strategies.

Observers say there is more urgency at this meeting given that Commonwealth members include some of the world's poorest countries which are bearing the brunt of the financial crisis.

Dr Tan Khee Giap, Chairperson of Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, said: "For many members of the Commonwealth grouping especially the African countries, the issue really is how to have the correct growth model, how to ensure competitiveness. Never mind about opening up the market, I think they got to get the basics right."

That means looking at how they can transform their economy instead of simply relying on aid.

Dr Tan added: "They should look towards how they can be more competitive, how they can export, how they can upgrade their agriculture sector at least to have self sufficiency in terms of food, water."

Analysts also point to the importance of keeping markets open to less developed economies to mitigate poverty.

Associate Professor Alan Chong, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said: "Bigger economic powers need to commit to WTO rules despite domestic pump priming measures. Newly emerging economic centres ought to be responsible in keeping markets open to the less developed. In these ways, poverty can still be mitigated despite the recession."

The gathering of CHOGM leaders is the last international meeting to take place before the UN Meeting on Climate Change in Copenhagen. And leaders are expected to issue a strong statement on commitments to cut carbon emissions.

Dr Tan, however, is sceptical about how much that collective message will translate to a binding process at Copenhagen.

"For many of the members under the Commonwealth group, they may not have the funds, they may not have the technology. It's one thing to have a strong message, to support and to recognise the problem but it's another thing to see whether there are enough follow-up actions.

"Even if you look at the recent APEC statements and the commitment to overcome this climate warming, it was simply a very general commitment without specifics on keeping to international standards. Some of the economies even within the APEC membership are not ready," he said.

The reality is that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which account for more than half of the Commonwealth family, are the most vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels.

Associate Professor Chong said SIDS "will likely constitute a united lobby for attention to environmental issues within the Commonwealth".

Because of the diversity within the Commonwealth, observers say it also presents an excellent opportunity for networking and cutting bilateral deals.

Dr Yeo Lay Hwee, Director at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs' EU Centre, said: "CHOGM's diverse membership that spans Asian, African, Carribean and Pacific nations can provide a good platform for sharing of experiences. African countries could look at the growth experiences and strategies of many of the Asia-Pacific countries and draw some lessons."

Commonwealth members comprise 53 countries spanning five continents across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Together they make up 30 percent of the world's population. - CNA/de