Reuters
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper (left) chats with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (centre) and Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo during a meeting yesterday at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being held in Kampala.

KAMPALA, Uganda (CMC):

Commonwealth leaders on Friday opened their Uganda summit with calls for "urgent" action to combat climate change and to empower the grouping's young people.

Leading the charge for greater action to transform Commonwealth societies - which is reflective of the meeting's theme - was the head of the 53-nation grouping, Queen Elizabeth 11, who urged that governments and individuals be respectful of fundamental human rights and to "treat those around us as we would wish to be treated ourselves".

"That is the case for governments, as for communities, as for all of us individually. Moreover, the importance we all attach to dialogue, to hearing the voices of governments but also many of the other voices in society; to respect the fundamental human rights - these qualities still place the Commonwealth in a strong position to lead," she said in her address to the opening ceremony of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

"I am especially pleased that this year, special attention is being paid to young people," she added.

Concern for youth

Of the two billion Common-wealth citizens, half are young people but the outgoing Secretary General, Don McKinnon, is concerned that they are often "voiceless".

"Without them at the core of our planning, our budgeting and our doing, our Commonwealth really has no future. We do have to do more for young people," he urged the gathering of delegates, including those from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts and Nevis, whose heads of government are attending the Kampala meeting.

Environmental issues

Climate change also represents a major challenge for Common-wealth countries, which account for a third of the world's population.

The outgoing Commonwealth chairman, Malta's Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, said the problem was one that required not only a united front, but an unprecedented level global action.

He warned that the threat of climate change must not be taken lightly and called on the Commonwealth to send a strong message of support to the forthcoming climate change conference in Bali.

"We must now work decisively towards the aim of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. The challenge of climate change not only requires a united front, but unprecedented levels of cooperation and firm action. The Commonwealth family with its diversity can be and should be a model for such a change and cooperation," he said.

Host President Yoweri Museveni also raised environmental concerns.

"You cannot for instance sustainably protect the environment if the majority of people are still in primitive agriculture leading to encroachment of forestry reserves," said the president in his welcoming address, in which he noted that many Ugandans were still using biomass for cooking because they still do not have electricity for cooking.

He also stressed the need for political accountability and peace.

This year's CHOGM is also focused on issues of democracy and good governance.

In a seeming direct reference to Pakistan's suspension from the grouping, the Maltese leader said difficult decisions sometimes had to be taken to preserve the fundamental values of the organisation.

"We all need to continue to work towards good governance in tolerance and respect," he said.

He also raised concerns about the digital divide and rising oil prices, as he called on the Commonwealth to explore ways to convert them into opportunities.

Extending good wishes

All four speakers joined in extending good wishes to the outgoing secretary general with the Queen suggesting that McKinnon was leaving the Commonwealth in a state of good health.

She also praised him for his "energy and passion" and for "outstanding service" to the Commonwealth.

Friday's opening of the CHOGM - which culminates two weeks of activity in Uganda, including a youth forum - featured a major cultural extravaganza showcasing the best of what Uganda has to offer.