CHOGM kicks off in Perth

CHOGM kicks off in Perth

Perth in Western Australia has been locked down tight as Queen Elizabeth II and the leaders of some 54 nations convene for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) the largest ever gathering of world leaders in Australia.

The center of the city is a designated security zone and police have warned protestors, ranging from Tamil supporters demanding UN action against the Sri Lankan government to gay and lesbian activists seeking equal rights, not to breach agreed security protocols.

Inside the CHOGM venue at the Perth Convention Centre, host Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd are welcoming the Queen, and almost all the heads of government of the 54 state Commonwealth with the notable exception of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

An estimated media contingent of thousands will be walked through a series of media conferences and sideline commentaries as CHOGM lives up to its reputation as a rolling photo opportunity.

The commonwealth has been criticized for lacking relevance in an increasingly globalized world, while its consensus format has meant that marginalized voices from smaller developing nations are often not heard.

Supporters, such as the event's chair, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, insist that the commonwealth can generate positive global change as a union of nations sharing a common set of values -- what she described in her opening address as a " Commonwealth of values".

"Shared values of peace, democracy, racial equality, the rule of law and a commitment to social and economic progress. Shared values freely embraced and consensually expressed. Values we can put to work in addressing some of the most pressing concerns that face our world like climate change, financial stability and food security," She told members.

The Commonwealth is home to over 2 billion people of various faiths and ethnicities with member countries spanning six continents and oceans with the most recent member, Rwanda joining in 2009.

Editor: An

English.news.cn 2011-10-28 12:13:48 FeedbackPrintRSS

PERTH, Australia, Oct. 28 (Xinhua)