CHOGM London 2018: Summit comes amid global instability

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s attendance at the CHOGM summit in London comes against a backdrop of global instability and uncertainty.

• CHOGM not earning its place

MALCOLM Turnbull left Australia last night to hold pressing talks with Commonwealth world leaders left reeling by chemical strikes in Syria, unstable political demigods and trade wars.

The 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, which runs until April 20, is the first CHOGM since Brexit and comes as member states are expected to discuss who should replace the Queen as the head of the Commonwealth.

As questions continue to be asked about the relevance of CHOGM, the timing of the meeting is crucial, especially given regional instability and trade concerns sparked by Brexit and US President Donald Trump.

With 53 member countries and about 2.4 billion people, outcomes of CHOGM have the potential to leave a significant footprint across the world.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May will host CHOGM, and it comes as she faces an extensive backlash from MPs for failing to secure the approval of her parliament before joining the US and France in airstrikes in Syria.

Mr Turnbull told The Courier-Mail before he left that there were lots of things to discuss at the biennial event.

“This trip comes at a crucial time. Chemical weapons attacks in Syria and on the streets of England have sparked a strong and united response from Australia and our allies,’’ Mr Turnbull said.

“Alongside Prime Minister Theresa May, I will explore ways to further strengthen our co-operation on intelligence and security.

“We will discuss ongoing threats from terrorism, foreign interference and malicious cyber actors, as well as uncertainty in the Korean Peninsula.

“We will reinforce the global rules-based order and strengthen the resilience of our near neighbours in the Pacific.”

Undoubtedly North Korea will also be discussed, and concerns about China’s growing interest in the region.

The theme of this year’s summit is “Towards a Common Future”.

Pedestrians walk underneath flags of Commonwealth countries flying from flagpoles along the Mall leading to Buckingham Palace ahead of the opening of the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

It will also discuss:

■ Prosperity: boosting intra-Commonwealth trade and investment;

■ Security: increasing co-operation across security challenges including global terrorism, organised crime and cyber attacks;

■ Fairness: promoting democracy, fundamental freedoms and good governance across the Commonwealth, and,

■ Sustainability: building the resilience of small and vulnerable states to deal with the effects of climate change and other global crises.

A Commonwealth Blue Charter on ocean governance will also be considered, as well as revised Commonwealth guidelines on election observation in member countries.

Parallel Commonwealth Summit Forums will also be held, drawing in about 5000 people from government, business and youth sectors.

Prince Harry opened the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge – and impending father-to-be – attended a joint session of youth and business forums.

Today, bride-to-be Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will attend a reception for youth forum delegates.

On Thursday, the Queen, who
will celebrate her 92nd birthday on April 21, will host a dinner for leaders
and their spouses at Buckingham Palace.

The UK Foreign Secretary will also host a dinner for his counterparts. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will attend the event. Asked if her partner David Panton would be going, a spokeswoman said that if he did, it would be at his own expense.

The Queen will officially open CHOGM on Thursday in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

Leaders will be welcomed by a guard of honour, a regimental band, a corps of drums and Commonwealth flag bearers.

A 53-gun salute will be fired by the King’s Troop in Green Park to ceremonially mark the opening of CHOGM.

It is tradition for a royal family photograph to be taken at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The Queen will officially open CHOGM in line with tradition.

A leaders’ retreat will be held at Windsor Castle on Friday. It is there where leaders are usually more frank and open.

Since March, Commonwealth Big Lunches have been shared across the network. It encourages those across the vast Commonwealth to share experiences, food and culture.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “CHOGM promises to deliver transformational change for the people of the Commonwealth.

“The presidents and prime ministers and other high-level government representatives from one-quarter of the world are assembling.

“Through consensus, they will reach agreement on collective action, with the impact of their decisions likely to extend far beyond the boundaries of the Commonwealth.”

Mr Turnbull will then travel to Berlin to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and key members of the German business community.

“(This is) where I will advocate the strategic and economic benefits of an Australia-EU free trade agreement,’’ Mr Turnbull said.

“I believe in free trade because free trade creates jobs.

“That is the message I will be taking to Europe, as we fight for more opportunities for Australian exporters.

“The economic and security relationship between Germany and Australia is strong – particularly in our defence industries.

“In Brussels, I look forward to meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker
to discuss our security and trade relationships, including the Australia-EU free trade
agreement, and Australia’s contribution to NATO operations in Afghanistan.

“My visit will conclude in Villers-Bretonneux, where French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and I will officially open the Sir John Monash Centre, a new museum honouring those Australians who served on the Western Front during the First World War.

“While in Villers-Bretonneux, I will also attend the Anzac Day dawn service commemorating 100 years since Australian units bravely led a counter attack to successfully defend the village.”