Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) November 15- 17, 2013 in Colombo, Sri Lanka |23 November 2013

Highlights of Seychelles’ involvement

The Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka ended with a show of unity after the summit was overshadowed by a row over alleged human rights abuse by the Sri Lankan government.

Following the three-day (November 15-17, 2013) meeting in Colombo, Sri Lankan CHOGM leaders issued a communiqué agreeing to cooperate on a number of issues, including poverty reduction, trade and youth affairs.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced that the communiqué had been agreed by the Commonwealth's 53-member nations after the summit which he said had been characterised by "fruitful discussions".

A series of pre-CHOGM forums addressing a wide range of issues took place during the days leading up to the leaders’ meetings.
President James Michel took part in the summit where he availed of the opportunity to push forward sustainable development issues in line with small island states (Sids) specificities.
He met and held bilateral discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Excellency Prince Charles who was representing his mother the Queen at the CHOGM.

At the end of the second day of the heads of government meeting President Michel had the chance to express his views on the summit to Shehan Baranage from the Sri Lankan Private National Television –Derana TV.

“It has been a well-organised CHOGM and we really felt the Sri Lankan government’s and people’s hospitality. The opening ceremony was done in great splendor and it was very well organised,” said President Michel.

He said the meetings were well planned and the issues discussed relevant not only to the Commonwealth but the world at large and it was an opportunity for all leaders to look at these issues, give their views so the Commonwealth as the body representing all our countries can take them to international bodies like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The President noted that in its final communiqué, the Commonwealth leaders stressed on the need to modernise international institutions so that they better reflect the needs of all nations in a fairer way.
“Most of these institutions’ structures are based on post second world war frameworks but the world has changed,” he pointed out.

With regards to the issue of boycotting Sri Lanka on human rights abuse allegations, President Michel said ‘’each nation is sovereign and has a right to an opinion. There was a war in Sri Lanka and it was a terrible war with a lot of bitterness and probably atrocities on both sides. But now the war is over and it is a time to heal, to work and rehabilitate the devastated parts of the country.”

“We will achieve nothing by boycotting, by criticising Sri Lanka. What we have to do is work with Sri Lanka and move forward. Let the healing process that the Sri Lankan government has started continue. We need to encourage and support Sri Lanka and give it the resources to continue with its development and integration. I think the Commonwealth should be behind Sri Lanka to ensure it becomes a country where everybody can take part in its social, political development,” added President Michel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam also took part in the foreign ministers meetings where the concerns of Sids were also discussed.

Seychellois delegates from private businesses as well as the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) took part in a business forum where the SIB presented investment opportunities available in Seychelles while Minister Adam was part of a panel and presented Seychelles’ tourism perspective to a wide audience.

Two young Seychellois – Beryl Payet, a member of the youth council, and Ziggy Adam the current speaker of the Youth Assembly – represented Seychelles at the Commonwealth youth forum (CYF) which was held over four days in the Sri Lankan southern port city of Hambantota.

The opening ceremony was a vibrant display of colours, music and songs. Youth delegates from around the Commonwealth’s 53-member countries gave a standing ovation to young dancers and persons with disabilities who performed dances and songs at the Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall.

The forum held under the theme ‘Inclusive Development: Stronger Together!’ saw the youth present examine and discuss their roles in formulating the next round of global development goals post-2015, and policies aimed at professionalising youth work, gender equality, quality youth employment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and quality education.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Payet said apart from the various discussions the forum also elected its first committee and adopted its constitution.
“Recommendations of the forum will be forwarded to each country to be taken up with youth council and ministry for action,” Beryl said.

Both Beryl and Ziggy have expressed their amazement at the scope of such a forum and the large number of youths who took part.

“I was really impressed by the youths’ intellectual abilities, devotion and passion for what they are doing. Youths from other parts of the world are really striving to push for youth development,’’ said Ziggy.

The accompanying photographs taken by our photographer Patrick Joubert as well as others from other sources highlight some key moments of the CHOGM 2013.

M-A. L.