While the latest terror attacks in Tunisia, Paris and Kuwait have presented new challenges to the security aspect of CHOGM 2015, which will be held in Malta between 27 and 29 November, the Maltese organisers and the UK government insist the meeting is “in safe hands” and that training and preparations are “on track”.

David Concar, the UK envoy to the Commonwealth on British government policy, told journalists on a visit to London that preparations from the logistical end are on track. Replying to questions by The Malta Independent on Sunday, Mr Concar said the British government was working closely with its Maltese counterpart on the issue of security. “Whenever you have so many Heads of state gathered in the same place a high level of security is needed. Risk assessment exercises have to be carried out and followed through.” Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will be visiting Malta along with several other Prime Ministers and Presidents.

“If we stopped holding these meetings the terrorists would have won. That is why we need to take a robust and professional approach to security.”

Pressed to say if he believes that Malta was capable of providing adequate security for such a high profile event, given the recent events in Tunisia, France and Kuwait, Mr Concar said he believed Malta and the UK were “on the right track”, collectively, to deliver what was required. “I believe the summit to be in safe hands.”

 

SWAT training and defensive driving

The Head of the CHOGM Task Force, Phyllis Muscat, said the sub-committee on security includes the Police Commissioner, the AFM Commander, as well as the CPD, Health Department and the Airport. The police are currently training a specially formed SWAT team for the visit while AFM officers have been given training in defensive driving.

Mrs Muscat confirmed that Malta, as per usual in this kind of event, is receiving help in the security sector from other countries, most notably the UK, but said details could not be given because of the sensitivity of the issue. Replying to questions by this paper, Mrs Muscat said it is obvious that security for this year’s edition is more challenging than 2005, because of the volatile global scenario, but insisted that the Task Force is “geared up and on track”.

A government spokesperson explained that security training is being provided simultaneously for two events; CHOGM, and the EU-Africa Summit, which will also be held in Malta in October. “Since the two meetings are being held close together all the security, logistical and broadcasting preparations are being held simultaneously, saving the government time and money.”

 

Security, climate change to be CHOGM talking points

Mr Concar said security is also expected to be on the CHOGM agenda, including the subject of countering radicalisation and extremism among young people. “We want to equip young people to withstand and to be resilient to radicalisation. The Commonwealth can be an effective tool to do this.” Mr Concar said he would not go into detail about the other possible subjects on the CHOGM agenda but said these included some obvious choices, like climate, irregular migration and small states. “Thirty out of 53 Commonwealth members are small island states so the issue is very likely to be on the agenda.”

Mr Concar also said it would be interesting to see if Malta nominated a candidate for the post of Secretary General, which will soon be up for grabs.

Journalists also met with the outgoing Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, in Marlboro House. Mr Sharma gave a passionate speech about the role and history of the Commonwealth, insisting that it was one of a few international organisations that allowed the leaders of small state to meet those of bigger states and push forward their agenda. He also applauded Malta for offering to host its second CHOGM meeting in the space of a decade. The offers by member states to host the summits and the applications by others to join the club were proof that the Commonwealth is an exceptional organisation, he said.

Asked what kind of legacy he would like to leave behind, Mr Sharma said he hoped people would think he made an honest effort to turn the Commonwealth into a contemporary organisation.

The media delegation was also given a briefing about the different CHOGM arms, including its Youth, Women’s, Civil Society and Business forums.

 

2,000 people to attend business forum

Lord Marland, Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, said many Heads of State and leaders of industry should be attending the business forum, which will focus on the topics of infrastructure, finance and financial services, technology, health and high-value tourism. The meeting, he said, will provide Maltese businesses with invaluable exposure and networking opportunities.

Guests will include the Lord Mayor of London, leading bankers, the head of the UK’s Tech City (who is half Maltese) and the head of the Sandals Resorts chain.

Phyllis Muscat told journalists that more than 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the business forum. Asked what the government was expecting most out of CHOGM, Mrs Muscat replied that it was exposure on an international level.

Norman Hamilton, the Maltese High Commissioner to the UK, said the Maltese embassy in London is facilitating talks between Malta and the UK, handling all the communication and is already receiving numerous visa requests. Mr Hamilton said that apart from the high-level meetings and fora discussions, the Commonwealth Secretariat was also looking at the Malta meeting as an opportunity to rebuild or reinvent the Commonwealth. “The Prime Minister wants Malta’s 2017 EU Presidency to show the validity of the Commonwealth to the EU,” he said.