No Clear Direction on Restructuring of International Financial Institutions at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding, has expressed disappointment that there seems to be no clear direction on the restructuring of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
Further, he is concerned that once the economic crisis recedes, the interests of middle income developing countries, like Jamaica, might be forgotten.
Mr. Golding, who is in Trinidad participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), made the observation during a session this afternoon (Nov 28) with Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the UK’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
Mr. Golding emphasized the importance of appropriate representation for middle income, developing countries in the Group of 20 (G 20) to ensure that their interests are effectively addressed. He said developing countries should be given the opportunity to present their own case to G 20 leaders.
UK’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown welcomed the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual concern with the CARICOM Heads and pledged his government’s support for the region. Prime Minister Brown was supported at the meeting by his Foreign Minister, David Miliband and the Minister of State, Baroness Glenys Kinnock, who has responsibility for Africa and the Caribbean.
Earlier today, Mr Golding participated in a meeting of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) with the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon; Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd; and the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Rasmussen, who is host of the Copenhagen meeting on ‘Climate Change’ in December.
Mr. Golding also held bilateral meetings today with the UN Secretary General and the UK Prime Minister.
At today’s working session of CHOGM, the heads adopted a statement on Climate Change, calling for the strongest possible outcome in Copenhagen and for a dedicated stream of funding for small island states. They also interacted with a representative group of youth leaders during a Youth Dialogue session.
To close today’s CHOGM activities, the Commonwealth Heads and their spouses are being hosted to dinner and a cultural programme by Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Patrick Manning.
