Commonwealth Summit Begins In Perth

Perth, Oct 28: The 21st Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was declared open today by Queen Elizabeth II here amid demands to take a tough stand against violation of human rights.

Vice President Hamid Ansari is representing India at the summit, which is also debating on tackling tough challenges posed by the global financial crisis, food security, climate change and trade.

It was an all-woman affair at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre when outgoing CHOGM chair and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar handed over charge to incoming chair, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.

Bissessar highlighted the all-women character of the change at the top in her address to the biennial summit of the 54-nation grouping.

From: http://ping.fm/Dtro9