Malta to host first women's forum during Commonwealth meeting

Malts is set to host the first women's forum ever held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). CHOGM will be held next year in Malta.

According to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, next year's CHOGM will serve as a platform for women's organisations from various countries to place their concerns and observations high on the summit's agenda,

"Countries are so diverse that you can't put them in one box. There are a number of countries with best practices that need to be shared with others. Within such a huge organisation, there are countries where women's issues and rights are in a poor situation. We are not trying to preach to these countries but we are giving women's organisations an occasion to voice their concerns and hopes," Muscat said.

The heads of state and government are also expected to discuss blue growth, trade, finance, youths and environment.

Addressing the official launch of CHOGM 2015, alongside Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, Muscat said it was time for the Commonwealth to start pushing reforms.

"Any organisation as big as this runs the risk of becoming irrelevant to its citizens. We are pushing reforms to make the Commonwealth more about the future, to discus financial opportunities that lie ahead and the relevance of small states," he said.

'The Commonwealth - Adding Global Value' has been chosen as next year's theme. 

The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states, home to 2.2 billion citizens. CHOGM convenes every two years and aims to bring leaders of member countries together to discuss common themes and initiatives.

During last year's CHOGM in Sri Lanka, it was unanimously decided that Malta would host the 2015 summit.

Muscat said preparations for the CHOGM was being put together by "an energetic team of women" as he highlighted Malta's decision to push women high on the agenda. He added that the discussions set to take place should pave the way for a common approach by the Commonwealth nations.

An added value to the CHOGM will be the Paris summit on climate change, being held just a few weeks after Malta's meeting.

Commonwealth's Secretary General Sharma praised Malta for being "well ahead" of the preparations.

"I can say with confidence that Malta right now is ahead of the curve for what the preparatory requirements should be at this point in time. There is no doubt that CHOGM will standout as a global conference. It will set out our course for the coming two years under Malta's leadership and we look forward to work closely with Malta. The CHOGM leaders are looking for a greater global impact in what we do," he said.

Sharma added that "Malta's beauty and rich history" will be showcased during the CHOGM.

Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella encouraged Commonwealth members to embrace the CHOGM's global aspect and work towards an enhanced association.

"We need a renewed drive based on an intelligent reform so the CHOGM remains of value and is effective for citizens," the minister said, adding that one of its greatest strengths was to speak with one voice without losing its diversity. 

"An enhanced Commonwealth would speak with greater unity on international and global affairs. Consensus may not always be possible but we can collectively strive for better economic stability."

A series of parallel events will be held in the week leading up to the CHOGM. Head of task force Phyllis Muscat said there will be four fora to give a voice to all citizens across the Commonwealth countries.

For the first time, a women's forum will be launched. The largest forum is expected to be the Business Forum, for which over 1,000 delegates will come together to discuss investment and trade opportunities. Two other fora will focus on youth and people.

"The Women's Forum will be launched for the first time in Malta and will be a celebration of women's achievements with topics such as entrepreneurship, education and leadership featuring high on the agenda," Phyllis  Muscat said.