Dear Reader,

As the CHOGM juggernaut rolls slowly into view and all the various activities come into play, I thought it appropriate if I were to address the main messaging that has influenced the educational initiative to youth and the general public with regard to CHOGM.

As spokesperson at the National secretariat I am fully aware that communication is the heart and soul of management at absolutely every level. Without communication skills you cannot hope to express your thoughts, convince others, or negotiate. With good communication skills, you can expect to win arguments, make sales, mediate, educate, inform and even inspire. This is what I have attempted to accomplish over the last few months, helping to organize CHOGM.

Trinidad and Tobago, the host country of this 21st meeting of Commonwealth heads, is mobilizing a network of regional and international security resources to ensure the highest quality summit security while simultaneously bolstering public security requirements in keeping with the government’s accelerated programme in this area.

Trinidad and Tobago is therefore receiving assistance from several countries within the Caricom system to supplement the stock of domestic resources in time for CHOGM. A security committee comprising all relevant national agencies have been meeting regularly. Its work has been coordinated by the national secretariat.

It must be stated that the mandate is that public security will in no way be compromised by CHOGM security.

The CHOGM must be seen as a Caribbean event hosted by Trinidad and Tobago as Caricom integration is a requisite of regional involvement in wider hemispheric integration. The government of Trinidad Tobago believes that this is an ooportunity for the Caribbean community to display a high level of cohesion on issues of immediate and urgent concern to all member states. This, particularly with regard to the pressing issue of climate change and the world economy.

The Honourable Prime minister, Patrick Manning, has stated that he is very interested in building a stronger Caricom by accelerating the pace if integration and regional cooperation. His initiative will bring to the Commonwealth table, a stronger, more untied Caricom region.

The interest of the people of T and T are paramount and the national planning process gives these interests priority. It has been agreed that there be no compromise of this.

Summit preparations have, in some instances, served to accelerate the achievement of national development goals. For example, the Ministry of public administration is targeting the CHOGM for implementation of its fast forward programme for expanding access to the internet by all citizens.

The beautification of the capital city and environs will also benefit from CHOGM preparation as will the acquisition of national security assets to be deployed.

The head of inter-ministerial committee, Senator Mariano Browne has confirmed that the budget cost for the CHOGM is about two hundred and thirty five million dollars. It should be noted however, that the CHOGM is financed by a multiplicity of agencies and institutions , in addition to the host country. Trinidad and Tobago, accommodates national leaders but it does not finance the cost of all foreign participants. There will be 51 heads of government present and several other specially invited guests, inlduing the French president, the prime minister of Denmark and the secretary general of the United Nations. Though the CHOGM is being hosted by this country, the event belongs to the Commonwealth of nations. This involves the work of 53 member countries and international and hemispheric institutions engaged ina awide range of developmental activities. Leaders apart, member countries finance their own involvement in the CHOGM. Additionally, international institutions and visiting media stand the cost of their presence in the host country. This event, therefore, will generate a great deal of interest in the tourism product and stand Trinidand Tobago in good stead as an international venue for conferences.

Host countries for events such as these usually report significant direct earnings through visitor expenditure and subsequent investment and business connections facilitated by an accompanying private sector forum. In addition to the considerable international exposure received by host countries during these events, there are benefits to be derived from person to person contacts made on the margins of the meeting. The positive financial impact of close to five thousand visitors to our shores, with ensuing demand for accommodation, meals, and entertainment, exceeds even the expections of our annual carnival celebrations.

Since there is an insufficient number of hotel rooms to accommodate our CHOGM GUESTS, Two cruise ships will be present on the port, leased for the period to accommodate delegates and guests. The ships will also host the youth forum and the private sector meeting. The leasing of the vessels will not only fill the gaps in available accommodation but offers the opportunity of offsetting some of the costs. There are huge elements of cost recovery including room rentals by delegates and media. There is also a plan to host paid cruises as the vessels return to port.

Downtown Port of Spain, has already been converted in CHOGM city. Public and private sector agencies and enterprises have been brought into the picture to ensure that our capital is something of which all citizens can be proud by the time our guests arrive. It is my hope that this will inspire citizens to ensure sustainability and cleanliness. It is hoped that the measures being put in place to clean-up the city and environs remain as an enduring legacy of the CHOGM.

Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership role in the CHOGM process will significantly advance its programme for positioning the country as an International Financial centre. This has an important role to play in broadening the country’s economic base. It is strongly believed that Trinidad and Tobago will also establish itself as a hemispheric leader by setting the development agenda as host. This country’s leadership role in developing the agenda and framing the issues for the CHOGM is an unprecedented opportunity. The work clearly establishes this country as a leader capable of setting the Commonwealth developmental goals. It is believed then, that the potential economic, social and geo-political value of the meeting exceeds the projected cost of hosting the CHOGM.

Moreover, the fact that just communicating the facts surrounding the organization of this international event has informed and educated our public is reason to celebrate the opportunity we have established to facilitate the heads who hopefully, will arrive at consensus on challenging issues affecting Commonwealth member states and ensure the future will be marked by holistic living and proper management of the world’s resources.

This is a priceless opportunity for all to use this window of opportunity to save our planet and make the world a better place to live and work.

Regards

Dennis Mc Comie