Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1999
Encyclopedia
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1999 was the sixteenth Meeting
of the Heads of Government
of the Commonwealth of Nations
. It was held in Durban
, South Africa
, between 12 November and 14 November 1999, and hosted by President
Thabo Mbeki
.
Durban was the largest and best-attended CHOGM ever held. All fifty-two eligible countries sent delegations (Pakistan
, which was suspended, and Tuvalu
, a special member
, were not invited), forty-seven of whom sent their head of state
or head of government
(Malaysia, the Maldives
, New Zealand
, Saint Lucia
, and Sri Lanka
being the ones represented by lesser government ministers). Despite the size of the CHOGM, it was the shortest held, due to the diffusion of powers to other organs that met separately, and had a markedly lower profile than other CHOGMs.
The role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
(CMAG) was questioned, in the light of the previous month's military coup in Pakistan
, which necessitated Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth (hence its non-attendance). However, the competences of CMAG were unchanged by the CHOGM, and its remit was renewed for another two years. Pakistan itself was also not subject to any head of government ministerial action, and decision was postponed until a later date, once the fall-out from the coup could finally be assessed.
was elected to replace the outgoing Chief Emeka Anyaoku
. There were two candidates: Don McKinnon
, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of New Zealand
; and Farooq Sobhan
, Foreign Minister
of Bangladesh
. In line with criticism of the role of CMAG from other parties, Sobhan ran on a platform of reforming the role of CMAG to cover not just democratic infringements, but economic and environmental ones, too. On the first day of the CHOGM, McKinnon was announced as the new Secretary-General-elect. The result of the vote (which remains secret) is reputed to have been thirty six votes for McKinnon to sixteen for Sobhan, but it was declared as 'unanimous' by chair Thabo Mbeki
, in line with the formula established in 1989.
The CHOGM saw the creation of the position of Chairperson-in-Office
, which was intended to give inter-governmental continuity between CHOGMs. Thabo Mbeki became the first Chairperson-in-Office, although he did little in the following two and a half years in the role.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, , is a biennial summit meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state, and is chaired by that nation's respective Prime Minister or President, who becomes the...
of the Heads of Government
Commonwealth Heads of Government
The leaders of the nations with membership in the Commonwealth of Nations are collectively known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government. They are invited to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings every two years, with most countries being represented by either their Head of Government...
of the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. It was held in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, between 12 November and 14 November 1999, and hosted by President
President of South Africa
The President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under South Africa's Constitution. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President....
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
.
Durban was the largest and best-attended CHOGM ever held. All fifty-two eligible countries sent delegations (Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, which was suspended, and Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
, a special member
Special membership of the Commonwealth of Nations
A special member was a member of the Commonwealth of Nations whose participation was limited in certain functions. Originally, it was a status held by a few newly-joined countries, whose involvement was limited by its own limited financial resources...
, were not invited), forty-seven of whom sent their head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
or head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
(Malaysia, the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
, and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
being the ones represented by lesser government ministers). Despite the size of the CHOGM, it was the shortest held, due to the diffusion of powers to other organs that met separately, and had a markedly lower profile than other CHOGMs.
The role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration, abbreviated to CMAG, is a group of representatives of members of the Commonwealth of Nations that is responsible for upholding the Harare Declaration. That Declaration dictates the Commonwealth's fundamental political values, and...
(CMAG) was questioned, in the light of the previous month's military coup in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, which necessitated Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth (hence its non-attendance). However, the competences of CMAG were unchanged by the CHOGM, and its remit was renewed for another two years. Pakistan itself was also not subject to any head of government ministerial action, and decision was postponed until a later date, once the fall-out from the coup could finally be assessed.
Secretary-General
A new Commonwealth Secretary-GeneralCommonwealth Secretary-General
The Commonwealth Secretary-General is the head of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the central body which has served the Commonwealth of Nations since its establishment in 1965, and responsible for representing the Commonwealth publicly...
was elected to replace the outgoing Chief Emeka Anyaoku
Emeka Anyaoku
Emeka Anyaoku, GCVO, CON was the third Commonwealth Secretary-General. He is a Nigerian of Igbo descent.-Education:Born in Obosi, he attended the University College of Ibadan, then a college of the University of London, from which he obtained an honours degree in Classics.-Political career:In...
. There were two candidates: Don McKinnon
Don McKinnon
Sir Donald Charles "Don" McKinnon, ONZ, GCVO is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. He was the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2000 until 2008.-Early life:...
, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a major ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand.The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Murray McCully, who was National Party Spokeperson of Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are also Associate Minister roles...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
; and Farooq Sobhan
Farooq Sobhan
Farooq Sobhan is a former Bangladeshi diplomat and civil society leader. He served in various capacities in the Bangladesh government and foreign service as one of the leading diplomats of the country...
, Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh heads the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The current foreign minister is Dipu Moni, who has served since January 6, 2009.-List of foreign ministers:-See also:* Constitution of Bangladesh...
of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. In line with criticism of the role of CMAG from other parties, Sobhan ran on a platform of reforming the role of CMAG to cover not just democratic infringements, but economic and environmental ones, too. On the first day of the CHOGM, McKinnon was announced as the new Secretary-General-elect. The result of the vote (which remains secret) is reputed to have been thirty six votes for McKinnon to sixteen for Sobhan, but it was declared as 'unanimous' by chair Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
, in line with the formula established in 1989.
The CHOGM saw the creation of the position of Chairperson-in-Office
Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office
The Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office is the Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth of Nations, and is one of the main leadership positions in the Commonwealth...
, which was intended to give inter-governmental continuity between CHOGMs. Thabo Mbeki became the first Chairperson-in-Office, although he did little in the following two and a half years in the role.