BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 17TH 2013 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L, Douglas has described the just concluded 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka as “an important step in advancing the work Commonwealth family of nations.
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader was invited to participate in the closing press conference Sunday with Sri Lankan President His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksha; President of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma; President of Guyana, His Excellency Ramotar, Malaysia’s Prime Minister the Hon. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Commonwealth Secretary General, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma.
Prime Minister Douglas also held separate bilateral meetings with the Sri Lankan president and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Hon. John Key.
Since arriving in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Douglas has repeatedly stressed the importance for the Commonwealth to support smaller member states in advocating among the G7 and G20, the need to consider vulnerability as a critical indicator in considering small states request for development support.
He congratulated the Sri Lankan president for choosing the current theme of “Growth with equity and inclusive development.”
“This theme is significant because it captures the essence of what needs to be done to facilitate equitable growth,” Dr. Douglas told over 200 journalists at the press conference.
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader also thanked Commonwealth heads for endorsing the recommendations of the task force he led to the Washington-based international financial institutions.
“The decision of CHOGM heads to endorse the establishment of a task force is a critical first step forward in exploring ways that the IFIs can help small states better tackle the issue of high indebtedness and building national economic resilience.
Other members of the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation were Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett and High Commissioner in London, His Excellency Dr. Kevin Isaac.