Amissah-Arthur to attend meetings in Sri Lanka and Kuwait

Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur will today, November 12, 2013 lead a high powered government delegation to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

From the CHOGM meeting, he will travel to Kuwait to also participate in the 3rd Afro-Arab summit.

The CHOGM meeting will be held from November 15 to 17, 2013 with “Growth with Equity-Inclusive Development" as its theme.

These were contained in a release signed by Mr Kweku Tsen, Presidential Staffer, Communications, Office of the Vice-President, on Monday.

It said the official opening ceremony for the CHOGM meeting would be held on Friday, November 15, 2013 at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo.

Other major highlights of the meeting, which involves nations colonized by Britain, included two executive sessions among the various Heads of Government.

The release said the Heads of State will also participate in a youth forum during which they would have the opportunity to interact with a group of youth leaders across the Commonwealth.

They would also be briefed on the outcome of the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

According to the release, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will present a report detailing the various activities of the body between 2011 and 2013 and outline the challenges which threaten its well being and development.

The release said the meeting will also examine global developments including the thorny issue of Debts sustainability, International Trade, the Environment and Civil Conflicts in member countries.

The Afro-Arab Summit in Kuwait would be held on November 18, 2013. It would provide opportunity for Member States to engage in dialogue-strengthened mutual co-operation between the two regions in the areas of trade and investment.

“It would also concentrate on action-oriented programmes in areas of security, health, education, and the environment against the background of Africa witnessing the fastest economic growth in the world,” the statement added.

The Vice President is expected back in Accra on November 22, 2013.