Prime Minister Douglas and Commonwealth Secretary General talk in London

Basseterre, St. Kitts (CUOPM) — St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who was in London last week, held talks with Commonwealth Secretary General, His Excellency Mr. Kamalesh Sharma.

Both discussed progress on the meeting held with the international financial institutions of the IMF and World Bank in October.

Prime Minister Douglas led the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Taskforce to the meeting with the IMF and World Bank.

The aim was to draw attention to the vulnerability of small states, their high-indebtedness, open markets and the impact of exogenous shocks and the need to develop special mechanisms to support the survival of small states.

The Report will be presented at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference by Presidents and Prime Ministers of the 54-member nations.

The Commonwealth leaders meet every two years to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives. CHOGMs are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Issues discussed include international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, law, multilateral trade issues, small states and youth affairs.