Officials Begin Pre-CHOGM Meetings

Preliminary meetings of senior government officials on the CHOGM 2002 agenda and future Commonwealth activities began in London on 15 February 2002. Senior officials from Commonwealth member countries met in Marlborough House, Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, to consider what is known as functional co-operation on a number of issues. Issues discussed included debt, combating corruption and money laundering, multilateral trade issues, gender, education and health. Officials also reviewed the arrangements for CHOGM.

Their report will be submitted to Commonwealth Heads of Government who meet in Coolum, Queensland, Australia from 2-5 March 2002, and will form part of the final communiqué from the leaders.