26 July 2000
Commonwealth Senior Officials from 10 countries, who are members of the High Level Review Group, met in Pretoria under the chairmanship of Mr Sipho Pityana, Director General of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs, at the Diplomatic Guest House at Waterkloof Ridge from 25 - 26 July 2000. The meeting was inaugurated by H.E. President Thabo Mbeki.
The Comonwealth High Level Review Group was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government at Durban in November 1999, in order to review the role of the Commonwealth and advise on how best it could respond to the challenges of the new century. It is chaired by H.E. President Thabo Mbeki, and comprises the Heads of Government of Australia, India, Malta, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.
The Senior Officials welcomed the contribution of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Don McKinnon to their discussions.
They discussed the terms of reference for the Review and arrangements for the first meeting of the Heads of Government of the Review Group, scheduled to be held in September in the wings of the UN Millenium Summit.
They exchanged views on the current global context and the challenges facing the Commonwealth. They had fruitful discussions on the political and developmental roles of the Commonwealth, and on links with the private sector and civil society.
The future role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which was established to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Harare Commonwealth political values, was discussed by the Senior Officials. They also discussed how best the Commonwealth might accelerate the economic and social development of its member countries through practical programmes of cooperation, and advocacy of Commonwealth interests. The Senior Officials' discussions pave the way for the Heads of Government meeting in September, to whom they will submit a report.
The Review Group will submit its report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Brisbane in October 2001. It is expected that the Review will result in a reinvigorated Commonwealth that can better respond to the challenges of the new century and meet the needs of its peoples.
For further information, please contact Daniel Ngwepe
Cell no: 082 858 0295
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
PRIVATE BAG X152
Pretoria
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