PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare left yesterday afternoon for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
Sir Michael said in a statement that the theme of this year’s meeting would be ‘Transforming societies to achieve political, economic and human development’.
Sir Michael said PNG had benefited from its close association with the Commonwealth, especially under the Commonwealth Fund for technical cooperation.
“Most recent practical assistance have been in areas like capacity-building through education and health training, the five-year Commonwealth Pacific Governance programme, human rights promotion and protection, post-conflict stabilisation in Bougainville, and the 2007 general election,” Sir Michael said.
He said some of the topical issues that would arise during the meeting would include climate change and the situation in Pakistan and Fiji as members of the Commonwealth.
Sir Michael was scheduled to return in time for Parliament that was expected to continue in the last week of this month.
Senior cabinet Ministers were all present at the Jackson International airport to send Sir Michael included Deputy Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu, Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye, Inter-Government Relations Minister Job Pomat, Treasury and Finance Minister Patrick Pruaitch, National Planning and Rural Development Minister Paul Tiensten, Public Service Minister Peter O’Neill, Commerce and Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris and State Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare.