The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is six months away, but the organisation machine is already in full swing.

It is a great opportunity for Malta.

The event might not be as politically important as the summit held between then United States President George Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev on a cold and rainy December weekend in 1989, when a definite blow was given to the Cold War and a fresh chapter in world politics started.

It might not raise emotions skyhigh such as when Pope John Paul II visited Malta six months after that summit, the first time that the head of the Roman Catholic Church came over to our country.

The late Pontiff was again in Malta in 2001.

But the CHOGM will bring with it a bigger headache for the authorities in terms of organisation. This is because 53 heads of government will be coming over for the event to be staged between 25 and 27 November. Some of them will be arriving in Malta a few days before the meeting itself.

In all, an estimated 3,000 people, 800 of whom are journalists, will be coming to Malta for the event, which has as its main theme Networking the Commonwealth for Development.

In terms of numbers – including the number of heads of government who will be in Malta at the same time – this will be the biggest event ever to be organised in Malta.

The head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will also be in Malta for the event.

To organise the event, the government last year set up a task force, chaired by Ambassador Salv Stellini. Over the past days, the task force held informal meetings with journalists to provide information on the event and keep the public adjourned with the preparation. We are expecting further meetings, probably on a more regular basis, as the event approaches.

Mr Stellini emphasised two main issues related with the event – the CHOGM must be successful from the organisation and logistical point of view, and secondly that it will serve as a springboard for Malta in terms of business and tourism potential.

Of course, the main concern is the security issue.

The fact that there will be so many heads of government concentrated on our small island is a big problem, and no stone should be left unturned to make sure that everything goes well.

The security measures are being coordinated with the police force, the Armed Forces of Malta and the Maltese security services.

They have a tough job on their hands and their resources will be stretched to the limits, but we are confident that they can carry out their enormous task well.

The second issue goes beyond the week during which the CHOGM will be held.

This is because the event will serve to promote Malta, and whether such an event is successful will be seen in the years to come.

During that week, Malta will have the opportunity to show what it can offer to the world and consequently, we must all be on our best behaviour in those days.

It is a chance for the world – not only the 53 members of the Commonwealth – to see the many treasures Malta possesses and what tiny Malta can organise.

This could be beneficial both with regard to tourists who might see Malta as an ideal destination for their holiday, and also with regard to business. Given the current economic situation, such a meeting could provide the country with a big boost that helps it lift itself up.

We must take this chance and we must take it well. This is a one-time opportunity – at least in our lifetime – and it cannot be missed.