CHOGM: the stage is set for Malta to shine

Our diplomats in London, together with Office of the President, the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have been working flat out over recent months to ensure not only that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this week runs smoothly but also so that all the rewards that the time, energy and funds invested into this unique event for Malta are reaped, Malta's High Commissioner in London Michael Refalo told The Sunday Times last week.

After CHOGM, Malta assumes leadership of the Commonwealth and Foreign Minister Michael Frendo has already forecast an active presidency to implement decisions taken at the Malta meeting, according to Dr Refalo, so Malta's profile within the Commonwealth and other fora will continue to be heightened.

"Since the 2003 Abuja CHOGM in Nigeria, when Malta was chosen to host this year's meeting, the High Commission has been the eyes and ears channel of communications and the out-stretched arm of Government, playing a pivotal role," Dr Refalo explained.

"The London High Commission is strategically placed and, particularly during these last months, everyone has put in a lot of effort, worked in close contact with other Commonwealth missions, maintained a continuous flow of information, engaged in formal and informal meetings with other London-based Commonwealth missions and kept in daily contact with the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House. The vast majority of Commonwealth states are accredited to the Court of St James's, a few are located in Brussels, Paris or via their UN Mission.

"It is only when one looks back that one realises the mammoth task a small country must shoulder to achieve and organise a successful CHOGM. It is not a simple exercise of hosting a two-day meeting for 50-odd delegations, most of whom led by their head of government, with all the safety, protocol, logistic, transport and organisational issues and complications involved, but a greater effort and expense in terms of the mental and physical energy to service the demands and requirements of delegations and representatives from so man diverse cultures and creeds."

That besides the hard work to prepare and organise Queen Elizabeth II's state visit, other events within CHOGM over ten days and hosting and handling between 3,000 to 4,000 first-time visitors to the islands. In fact, the only meeting the High Commission was not directly involved in is the Foreign Ministers' meeting.

"One wonders how, with limited resources, and very few hiccups, Malta has already succeeded to achieve so much with so little", Dr Refalo pointed out.

The High Commissioner, who arrived in London last March, is in his element: as a former - long-standing - Tourism Minister, he has a wealth of experience where Malta's hosting of foreign visitors is concerned, and knows that things must be just right.

"As things fall into place and come together, from our London vantage point and despite last-minute fire-fighting, we witness the daily application of 'where there is a will there is a way' principle. The country and administration are totally harnessed and geared towards a successful CHOGM week.

"The High Commission is a cog, and a vital one at that, in this vast human and administrative machine, built during the last two years and which must keep moving smoothly throughout Malta's two-year presidency of the Commonwealth," Dr Refalo observes.

Dr Refalo says his High Commission's relationship with the Commonwealth Secretariat in London is "excellent". Relations were further strengthened by frequent visits to London by Foreign Minister Frendo, Permanent Secretary Cecilia Attard-Pirotta, and ministry officials to chair or attend CHOGM-related meetings. He had words of praise for First Secretary Vanessa Frazier, who, he says, "has spent the last couple of years breathing, eating and sleeping CHOGM".

The drive to make CHOGM a success has seen the High Commission build a close working rapport with New Zealander Don McKinnon, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and his team, to the extent that everybody is on first-name terms and diplomats have become firm friends.

On his arrival in London, Dr Refalo says he found much groundwork ready. So he embarked on string of meetings with members of Mr McKinnon's team and directors of Commonwealth organisations, attended every meeting of every Commonwealth body and introduced himself to other High Commissions

"Once I had settled in," he says, "I was asked to convey Prime Minister Gonzi's invitation to CHOGM to heads of government, and selected participants at other fora through their High Commissions. It was an ideal opportunity to refer back their concerns, aspirations, requests and other issues to the ministry and CHOGM Task Force.

"For a fortnight I travelled the length and breadth of London through heavy traffic, arrived at High Commissions more or less on time, rode lifts and climbed countless flights of steps, drank innumerable cups of coffee and tea, discussed CHOGM organisation and logistics, and, in the meantime, forged friendships and a good working relationship with my counterparts.

"One morning, on our way to the Caribbean High Commission, traffic appeared to be less intense and we arrived much earlier than planned. No wonder. It was July 7, the morning terrorists attacked the London Underground and blew up a London bus. The subsequent communication blackout forced our return to Malta House where Deputy High Commissioner Olaf Terribile had already set up an information hotline for Maltese visitors to London and the Maltese community in the UK. But that is another story..."

Dr Refalo also addressed various audiences about CHOGM topics at a Commonwealth Foundation seminar, the Royal Over-Seas League, the House of Commons, the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit, among other venues, and giving Malta, local culture, and our conference facilities a plug in the meantime.

Dr Refalo says he was "ably supported" by the High Commission's diplomats and staff. The Foreign Ministry sent Dr Corinne Casha on a short posting to the UK to help with visa processing. Every day she spends long hours at her desk, sometimes up to midnight, chasing High Commissions and NGOs to submit applications and issue visas on time. Thousands have been issued and the High Commission expects additional and late applications; but things are expected to calm down now.

The High Commission's contacts with Buckingham Palace were mainly focused on the Queen's state visit. Dr Refalo says the meetings were "all about dotting the i's and crossing the t's to see to the smooth running of Her Majesty's public programme. The bulk was done in Malta by the Office of the President, OPM as well as visiting Buckingham Palace officials."

The High Commission also enjoys a good working relationship with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which represents the UK on Commonwealth affairs and attends all Secretariat meetings. Dr Refalo says British High Commissioner Vincent Fean and the British High Commission in Malta have been especially supportive.

Now that CHOGM has finally arrived, it is time for Malta to shine and to take every opportunity the event offers by the scruff of the neck.

"CHOGM will showcase Malta and the Maltese people, not least our investment potential, tourism attractions and facilities, our millennial culture and traditional Maltese hospitality," Dr Refalo points out.

"Direct and deferred TV transmission of CHOGM events give us every opportunity to show off our organisational skills and ability to host and handle large conferences and meetings. In parallel with CHOGM, Commonwealth Foreign Ministers will be meeting for the first time; the Commonwealth Business Forum with the participation of some of the world's most renowned businesses and personalities is another excellent opportunity to promote Malta's commercial and investment potential.

Malta has invested much human and financial capital and must therefore look to reap rewards. Not necessarily immediate, but careful and well-planned husbandry can, in the short to medium term, deliver results."

So what will be the lasting legacy of the entire event after this week?

"Small countries are too often unfairly penalised because of their smallness and inability to fund massive marketing and promotional campaigns. CHOGM and its related meetings provide us with thousands new tourists that, given the success of their visit, can become excellent goodwill ambassadors for Malta. The best form of advertising is positive word of mouth and it is up to us all to see that our visitors enjoy and have a pleasant and fruitful stay," Dr Refalo said.

A successful CHOGM, he said, will make life a little easier for the Malta High Commission and Malta's other embassies.

"Conversely, modern-day media sensationalism, and the negative ripple effect of just one silly or unfortunate incident can cause considerable damage to our reputation," he warned.