The UK is holding diplomatic discussions ahead of key Commonwealth events the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Summit, also known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The UK is holding diplomatic discussions ahead of key Commonwealth events the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Summit, also known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
On February 5, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May spoke with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to discuss the country’s upcoming hosting of the Games and participation in the Commonwealth Summit in April.
May set out the UK’s plans for an ambitious CHOGM which aims to reinvigorate the impact and relevance of the organisation, and discussed policy priorities such as environmental issues and intra-national trade.
Turnbull offered his support towards achieving environmental objectives and recognised the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries both before and after the UK’s exit from the European Union.
May’s recent trip to China and the importance of the Asian country’s support of the rules based international system was also discussed, as well as the UK and Australia’s shared interest in the region’s stability, including recent developments on the Korean Peninsula.
The call ended with Prime Minister May welcoming Australia’s decision to legalise same sex marriage and she wished the country luck in hosting the Commonwealth Games.
More recently, on February 13, 2018 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, visited Cardiff in Wales to meet young people from the charity Children in Wales who will be representing the country at the Commonwealth Summit, alongside residents from Commonwealth Diaspora groups.
Lord Ahmad also visited Team Wales athletes training for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April.
Director of Elite Performance at Sport Wales, Brian Davies OBE, took the Minister on a tour of the National Sports Centre in Sophia Gardens and introduced him to athletes, sports science and medical staff who will be attending the Commonwealth event.
Lord Ahmad then met with the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport Dafydd Elis-Thomas to discuss the Welsh government’s key role in the upcoming Summit in London.
The UK Minister said: “The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April will focus on young people as we strive to meet the aspirations of the one billion people in Commonwealth countries under the age of 25.
“From Cardiff to Canberra, from Bangor to Bangalore, if the future relevance of the Commonwealth is to be assured, it is vital that young people are involved in shaping decisions that affect their future, and that includes the young people of Wales.
“I am incredibly hopeful for the future of our Commonwealth and the role Wales has to play in it.”
