This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on the 2009 CHOGM. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Commonwealth Crossroads

An academic analysis of the pivotal 21st CHOGM, where climate change, human rights, and the Commonwealth's future took center stage.

Analyze the Summit ๐Ÿ‘‡ Explore Climate Policy ๐ŸŒ

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
๐ŸŽฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ŸŽฎ

The 2009 Summit Overview

Host and Venue

The 21st Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was convened in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from November 27 to 29, 2009. The summit was chaired by the host nation's Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, at the Hyatt Regency and Conference Centre.[1]

Participants and Attendance

The meeting gathered leaders from across the Commonwealth of Nations. Of the 52 member states at the time, 49 were in attendance, with 34 nations represented by their respective Heads of State or Government. This high level of participation underscored the significance of the agenda items being discussed.

Core Agenda Items

The summit's agenda was dominated by several critical global and institutional issues. Key points of deliberation included:

  • Global Warming: A central theme, addressed with urgency ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
  • Membership Criteria: The controversial application of Rwanda to join the Commonwealth was a major topic.
  • Institutional Governance: Discussions on future CHOGM locations and the strengthening of the Commonwealth's internal oversight mechanisms.

Climate Change at the Forefront

Pre-Copenhagen Urgency

The 2009 CHOGM was strategically positioned just weeks before the highly anticipated United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. This timing elevated global warming to the summit's most dominant issue, as Commonwealth nations sought to formulate a cohesive position and build momentum for a global climate accord.[5]

A New Climate Change Fund

A significant outcome of the climate discussions was the agreement to establish a ยฃ6 billion-per-year climate change fund. This initiative, financed by developed Commonwealth members and France, was designed to support developing countries in promoting low-carbon emission development and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

High-Profile International Guests

Underscoring the meeting's global importance, several non-Commonwealth leaders attended. The presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lรธkke Rasmussen highlighted the international effort to rally support for a successful outcome at the Copenhagen summit and signaled a broader diplomatic engagement with the Commonwealth.

Membership and Controversy: The Case of Rwanda

Rwanda's Admission

The 2009 CHOGM was the first to consider a new member under the criteria established in 2007. After a formal assessment, the Heads of Government agreed to admit Rwanda into the Commonwealth. This decision made Rwanda the 54th member and only the second (after Mozambique) to join without a direct constitutional or historical link to an existing member state.

Human Rights Concerns

Rwanda's admission was highly controversial. The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) had previously issued a report concluding that "the state of governance and human rights in Rwanda does not satisfy Commonwealth standards."[6] The CHRI warned that admitting a non-compliant state would tarnish the Commonwealth's reputation and undermine its stated commitment to democracy and human rights.[6]

Post-Accession Assessments

Following Rwanda's accession, prominent international organizations continued to voice concerns. Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, and the CHRI itself later reported that the protection of democracy and human rights in Rwanda had declined since the country joined the Commonwealth, raising further questions about the diligence and impact of the admission process.[8][9][10]

Institutional Agenda and Future Direction

Debates on Future Summits

The selection of future CHOGM hosts became a point of contention. Sri Lanka was initially slated to host the 2011 meeting, but renewed civil conflict and allegations of human rights abuses led nations like the UK and Canada to call for a reassessment.[2][3] Consequently, the 2011 CHOGM was awarded to Perth, Australia. Sri Lanka was rescheduled to host in 2013, with Mauritius penciled in for 2015.[4]

Strengthening Governance Mechanisms

A key institutional development was the decision to reconstitute and strengthen the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). The Heads of Government agreed to expand CMAG's mandate, empowering it to investigate not just the overthrow of democratic governments, but all breaches of the Harare Declaration. This represented a significant step towards reinforcing the Commonwealth's core political values.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "2009 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about 2009_commonwealth_heads_of_government_meeting while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not political or legal advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional analysis from political scientists, historians, or legal experts. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific research or policy needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.