Sri Lanka, Nov 13 – Malaysia sees the relevancy to participate in the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Sri Lanka as it has much to share and learn from the other member countries, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
With membership spanning all the five continents in the world, the Commonwealth was well positioned to play a significant role and contribute towards development and progress in all corners of the world such as promotion of democracy and good governance, the economy, social and cultural issues, he said.
Anifah also said that Malaysia’s participation in this year’s Chogm, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is scheduled to arrive in the Sri Lanka capital on Thursday, was a testament to its commitment to host the biennial summit meeting in 2019.
“That shows our readiness, our willingness (to be the host in 2019),” he told Malaysian media, here Wednesday.
Malaysia has offered to host the 2019 Chogm during the 2011 Chogm in Australia. According to reports, Najib said the year was significant as it would be 30 years since Malaysia first hosted the meeting in 1989.
On calls for Najib not to attend the 2013 Chogm, Anifah said while it took note on the opposition about the participation however skipping the summit did not bring benefits or advantage to the country.
“What is important, we come to assist in making Commonweatlh exercise what is enshrined in the Commonwealth charter.
“We also want to see how the reconciliatory process is going on in Sri Lanka,” he said.
On the decision by some leaders to give a miss at this year’s Chogm, Anifah said he believed that it would not affect the meeting generally as the attending leaders would put forward good discussions and issues.
“Malaysia has many to learn and contribute from this meeting,” he said, adding that Malaysia respected the decision by some leaders to skip this year’s Chogm as their prerogative.
The 2013 Chogm themed “Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development” will be held on Nov 15-17. Najib is slated to attend three executive sessions and three retreat sessions with the other heads of government.
Anifah said heads of government were scheduled to discuss measures to address current and emerging challenges in achieving equitable and inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The leaders would also review global political and economic developments and discuss issues including international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, Post-2015 Development framework, multilateral trade issues and youth affairs, he said.
Anifah also stressed that for Malaysia, the Commonwealth was an association not only of governments by also the peoples.
“Our active participation is aimed at ensuring that the Commonweatlh remains focused on socio-developmental aspects that benefit all its member countries and at the same time upholding the principles of development and democracy in a balanced manner,” he said.
Anifah said Malaysia looked forward to continue working with its Commonweatlh partners to promote moderation as an approach to tackle global challenges and threats to international peace and security.
He said the theme of 2013 Chogm “Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development” was relevant to Malaysia as it strives towards a high-income and advanced nation by 2020 where equitable and inclusive development was at the heart of its own development agenda.
– Bernama
