Official Opening of CHOGM in Abuja, Nigeria

December 5, 2003

The Opening Ceremony of CHOGM took place this morning in Abuja, Nigeria, followed by a reception for Heads of Delegation hosted by His Excellency, the Rt. Honourable Donald C. McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General. This will followed by two high level Executive Sessions.

Later this evening there will be a buffet dinner hosted by Her Majesty The Queen, hosed a dinner for Heads of Delegation and spouses. Simultaneously, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs will host a dinner for Ministers, senior officials and accompanying spouses.

The highlight event on Saturday 6^th, will be the tree planting ceremony by Heads of Delegation in Millennium Park, Abuja. Later, Her Majesty, The Queen, will host a reception for Ministers, senior officials and accompanying spouses.There will also be a dinner hosted by H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chief (Mrs) Stella Obasanjo for Heads of Delegation and spouses.

On Sunday 7^th, there will be two sessions of the “Committee of the Whole” (COW), to draft the CHOGM Communique’.

The closing press conference by Chief Obasanjo, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General will take place on Monday 8^th, December, 2003.

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 On Thursday 4th, before CHOGM convened a Working Breakfast was hosted by Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister for the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on the Harare Declaration. The Honourable Fred Mitchell, Bahamian Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented the CARICOM States.