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Commonwealth talks target climate Commonwealth talks target climate
(19 minutes later)
Commonwealth leaders have begun meeting in Trinidad with climate change high on the agenda in the last major summit before the Copenhagen climate talks.Commonwealth leaders have begun meeting in Trinidad with climate change high on the agenda in the last major summit before the Copenhagen climate talks.
For the first time, a number of other world leaders have been invited to take part in the biennial meeting.For the first time, a number of other world leaders have been invited to take part in the biennial meeting.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Danish PM Lars Rasmussen are attending to give weight to any statement on climate change.UN chief Ban Ki-moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Danish PM Lars Rasmussen are attending to give weight to any statement on climate change.
Another key issue will be Rwanda's bid to join the Commonwealth.Another key issue will be Rwanda's bid to join the Commonwealth.
The 60th anniversary Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Port of Spain will also discuss the issue of the venue for the 2011 Commonwealth summit - with the UK vowing to block Sri Lanka's bid.The 60th anniversary Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Port of Spain will also discuss the issue of the venue for the 2011 Commonwealth summit - with the UK vowing to block Sri Lanka's bid.
Rising sea levelsRising sea levels
The global summit on climate change is due to start in Copenhagen on 7 December, and the topic is the only issue on Commonwealth summit's agenda for the first day.The global summit on climate change is due to start in Copenhagen on 7 December, and the topic is the only issue on Commonwealth summit's agenda for the first day.
About half of members, like the Maldives, are island statesAbout half of members, like the Maldives, are island states
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the meeting as "an important springboard towards Copenhagen".UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the meeting as "an important springboard towards Copenhagen".
Opening the Commonwealth meeting, Queen Elizabeth II noted that while climate change was not a new concern it would affect the world for years to come.
The Commonwealth must be dedicated to "building resilience among its smaller members", she added.
About half of the Commonwealth's members are island states, many of them threatened by rising sea levels.About half of the Commonwealth's members are island states, many of them threatened by rising sea levels.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who is hosting the three-day meeting, said he hoped the summit could boost momentum for an agreement on carbon emissions at Copenhagen, amid "concerns about the way the negotiations were going".Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who is hosting the three-day meeting, said he hoped the summit could boost momentum for an agreement on carbon emissions at Copenhagen, amid "concerns about the way the negotiations were going".
"We hope to arrive at a political statement that can add value to the process that will culminate in Copenhagen next month... what we can do is raise our voices politically," he said."We hope to arrive at a political statement that can add value to the process that will culminate in Copenhagen next month... what we can do is raise our voices politically," he said.
The Commonwealth's 53 nations comprise about two billion people, a third of the planet's population.The Commonwealth's 53 nations comprise about two billion people, a third of the planet's population.
The leaders are meeting days after pledges by the US and China to limit their greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns that the Copenhagen meeting could fail to agree substantial cuts.The leaders are meeting days after pledges by the US and China to limit their greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns that the Copenhagen meeting could fail to agree substantial cuts.
Conservationist Dennis Sammy shows James Robbins the effects of climate change on Trinidad & TobagoConservationist Dennis Sammy shows James Robbins the effects of climate change on Trinidad & Tobago
India has admitted that China's decision to unveil emissions targets two weeks before the Copenhagen summit has put it under pressure.India has admitted that China's decision to unveil emissions targets two weeks before the Copenhagen summit has put it under pressure.
Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said China's decision was a "wake-up call to India".Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said China's decision was a "wake-up call to India".
But in another Commonwealth country, Australia, the government's plans to enact a law for an emissions trading scheme have been thrown into chaos by a revolt within the opposition Liberal Party, whose support is required to pass the bill.But in another Commonwealth country, Australia, the government's plans to enact a law for an emissions trading scheme have been thrown into chaos by a revolt within the opposition Liberal Party, whose support is required to pass the bill.
Rwanda membershipRwanda membership
The summit will also discuss Rwanda's entry into the English-speaking club.The summit will also discuss Rwanda's entry into the English-speaking club.
THE COMMONWEALTH Made up of former British colonies, dependencies and other territories, plus MozambiqueFounded in 1931Currently 53 members, with combined population of 1.8 millionHeaded by British monarch, but no allegiance to Crown since 1947Heads of government meet every two years Profile: The Commonwealth What would the Commonwealth do for Rwanda? What's your Copenhagen solution?THE COMMONWEALTH Made up of former British colonies, dependencies and other territories, plus MozambiqueFounded in 1931Currently 53 members, with combined population of 1.8 millionHeaded by British monarch, but no allegiance to Crown since 1947Heads of government meet every two years Profile: The Commonwealth What would the Commonwealth do for Rwanda? What's your Copenhagen solution?
The Francophone nation has been seeking membership following disagreements with France over events leading up to the 1994 genocide.The Francophone nation has been seeking membership following disagreements with France over events leading up to the 1994 genocide.
The issue is likely to be controversial. The nation's entry bid has received strong backing from some member states.The issue is likely to be controversial. The nation's entry bid has received strong backing from some member states.
However, some rights activists are angry that entry would reward a nation they say is guilty of abuses dating back to the 1994 genocide.However, some rights activists are angry that entry would reward a nation they say is guilty of abuses dating back to the 1994 genocide.
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins, in Trinidad, says the leaders are expected to admit Rwanda.BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins, in Trinidad, says the leaders are expected to admit Rwanda.
He says most of the leaders apparently believe that if Rwanda is admitted, then they will be able to apply peer pressure to improve the lives of its people.He says most of the leaders apparently believe that if Rwanda is admitted, then they will be able to apply peer pressure to improve the lives of its people.
Zimbabwe's possible re-entry could also be brought up at the meeting.Zimbabwe's possible re-entry could also be brought up at the meeting.
Sri Lanka controversySri Lanka controversy
The UK has indicated it will try to block Sri Lanka's bid to host the next Commonwealth summit over its handling of the recent war.The UK has indicated it will try to block Sri Lanka's bid to host the next Commonwealth summit over its handling of the recent war.
Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans are still displacedTens of thousands of Sri Lankans are still displaced
A UK government source said Mr Brown had "real concerns about Sri Lanka's bid".A UK government source said Mr Brown had "real concerns about Sri Lanka's bid".
The source said: "We simply cannot be in a position where Sri Lanka - whose actions earlier this year had a huge impact on civilians, leading to thousands of displaced people without proper humanitarian access - is seen to be rewarded for its actions."The source said: "We simply cannot be in a position where Sri Lanka - whose actions earlier this year had a huge impact on civilians, leading to thousands of displaced people without proper humanitarian access - is seen to be rewarded for its actions."
The UN estimates the conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels left at least 7,000 civilians dead with 150,000 people still displaced and living in camps.The UN estimates the conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels left at least 7,000 civilians dead with 150,000 people still displaced and living in camps.
At a state dinner ahead of the summit, the Queen acknowledged her hosts by wearing a gown featuring two of the Caribbean nation's national birds and its national flower.At a state dinner ahead of the summit, the Queen acknowledged her hosts by wearing a gown featuring two of the Caribbean nation's national birds and its national flower.
At the banquet in the grounds of President George Maxwell Richards' official home in Port of Spain, she paid tribute to Trinidad's efforts to combat drug trafficking.At the banquet in the grounds of President George Maxwell Richards' official home in Port of Spain, she paid tribute to Trinidad's efforts to combat drug trafficking.