Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be Held in March 2002

Joint Announcement by the Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard MP and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon

Heads of Government from 52 Commonwealth countries will meet in Queensland, Australia, from 2 -5 March 2002 for their biennial summit, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

CHOGM will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast with ministerial and officials' meetings at the Novotel Twin Waters complex at nearby Mudjimba.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, the host for the meeting, welcomed the move from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast. "It was with great disappointment that my Government had to agree to postpone the Brisbane CHOGM scheduled for the beginning of October," he said. "I am glad that Queensland remains the focus for this international summit. The economic and tourism benefits to Queensland from CHOGM will be substantial".

"I look forward to welcoming Commonwealth leaders to Australia for CHOGM. The Commonwealth comprises almost a third of the world's population and a quarter of its nations. At CHOGM, leaders will address issues such as terrorism, good governance and the needs of small states which are of great importance to their countries and the world."

Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon, said today, "I am delighted that Australia will be hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in March 2002.

"It was unfortunate but necessary that this meeting which was originally scheduled for October 2001 had to be postponed due to the difficult global circumstances prevailing at that time.

"I wish to thank the Australian Government and people for their patience and support, and for making every effort to convene the meeting in conditions that will enable Heads of Government to chart a course for the Commonwealth in the 21st century."

13 November 2001

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