The Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the 53-member organisation does not interfere in the bilateral relations between the two states and expect all the member countries to sort out their mutual issues among themselves without third party mediation.
He was responding to question whether the Commonwealth could play any role in helping to resume the stalled dialogue process between Pakistan and India, the two key members of the organisation. Sharma pointed that Commonwealth did once played a role of a mediator in Africa during the process of de-colonisation but its emphasis was now in ensuring rule of law, good governance and the promotion of democracy and constitutionalism.
At the briefing, he explained the agenda and key issues that will be addressed by heads of government when they meet in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 27 to 29 November 2009. The theme of the biennial summit is Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is the supreme body of the Commonwealth. The summit, which is convened every two years, brings Commonwealth leaders together to review global, political and economic developments and to discuss the Commonwealth's work in supporting the interests of its member countries, and to confirm existing or new priorities and initiatives.
Responding to a question, he said the CHOGM will also decide on the membership application submitted by Rwanda while those Arab states wishing to be given an observer status within the Commonwealth, will need to fulfil criteria laid down by the Secretariat for such a position.
According to Sharma, the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting will discuss economic development including international trade, debt management, climate changes, youth empowerment and ways and means of helping vulnerable and poor states in overcoming the financial crisis brought about by the global recession.
He said since 60 years of its founding, the organisation has grown from eight founding members to 53 presently, representing a population of two billion and accounting for around a fifth of the worlds trade, a quarter of its countries and a third of its population and given its size it faces diverse issues and problems.