PM Said Musa attending CHOGM in Uganda

While in Uganda, Prime Minister Musa joined other Caribbean leaders in a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his Foreign Secretary David Milliband and the Secretary of State for Trade Douglas Alexander. The main agenda item was the ongoing negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) and the European Union.

Reform Of International Institutions

Commonwealth Leaders expressed concern that the current architecture of international institutions, which was largely designed in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, does not reflect the challenges in the world of the 21st. century. They called for wide-ranging reforms that would take particular cognizance of the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small states.

The Conference also adopted a Climate Change Action Plan, discussed the Report of The Commission on Respect and Understanding chaired by Professor Amartya Sen, as well as a Paper  on Transforming Societies to Achieve Political, Economic and Human Development prepared by the Host government of President Museveni of Uganda. Tribute was paid to outgoing SG Don Mckinnon whose 8year term was concluding. Heads unanimously selected Mr. Kamalesh Sharma of India as the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

The next Summit of the Commonwealth in 2009 will take place in Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Musa was accompanied at the meeting in Uganda by the Foreign Minister Lisa Shoman and the Minister of Tourism Godfrey Smith.