The 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018 kicked off in London on Thursday (Apr 19) with the theme “Towards a Common Future’’. Queen Elizabeth formally inaugurated the two-day summit at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, media reports said.
British Prime Minister Teresa May and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland and Prime Minister of Malta and outgoing chair Joseph Muscat also spoke at the inaugural session.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, British Prime Minister Teresa May along with the heads of government of 51 other countries attended the inaugural function of the CHOGM 2018.
Leaders and high-level government representatives from the member states are expected to discuss collaboration on global and Commonwealth priorities.
The participants will also share experiences and thoughts for building understanding and cooperation towards realising global goals for social and political progress, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable development.
Sheikh Hasina will also attend an official reception to be hosted in honour of heads of governments by British PM and Commonwealth Secretary General Patrica Scotland QC at the Lancaster House. They will join another reception of the Commonwealth Secretary General at St James Palace in the afternoon. On the opening day, the Bangladesh PM will participate in the three executive sessions at Lancaster House.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the CHOGM, PM Hasina will also hold bilateral meeting with her Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday afternoon.
