Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will attend a dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth II when he is in London next month for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, the Fijian embassy in London has confirmed.

The Commonwealth  meeting is scheduled for April 16 – 20 in the British capital.

British High Commissioner to Fiji Melanie Hopkins, at a press conference at her residence in Suva yesterday, said Mr Bainimarama would also be attending a number of high level bilateral programmes in London.

“This is the second largest gathering of leaders in 2018,’’ Ms Hopkins said.

“So in that sense this is a golden opportunity for Fiji to take forward the key aspects of Fiji’s COP23 presidency and look into some progress on key areas such as dialogue.”

She said other events included Fiji’s Green Bonds which would be listed on London’s Stock Exchange during the Prime Minister’s presence in London.

“This would be an exciting time,’’ Ms Hopkins said.

The meeting is expected to see the 53 member states leaders of the Commonwealth governments converge in London.

She also highlighted the Blue Charter, driven by the Commonwealth Secretariat and supported by the United Kingdom. It is an initiative which provides a political platform for Pacific Island leaders.

Ms Hopkins said given the emphasis on working together for a common future, the British High Commission in Suva had been trying to promote initiatives where everyone felt they could get involved.

She said a particular initiative was the Commonwealth Big Lunch, an opportunity for everyone to get involved and celebrate their links with the Commonwealth.

The theme of the event would be ‘Towards a Common Future’ meaning to reform and revitalise the Commonwealth, establishing it as a modern organisation … that it is responsive to global challenges faced today and in the future.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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