Next CHOGM to discuss progress on digital divide

The next Commonwealth summit scheduled to be held in Uganda in November will discuss the tangible results achieved by the Commonwealth Connects Programme agreed to in Malta last year, which aims to bridge the digital divide across the Commonwealth.

The programme is being piloted by Foreign Minister Michael Frendo who was appointed by Commonwealth secretary general Don McKinnon to chair the steering committee of the Commonwealth Action Programme On The Digital Divide.

Malta is currently chair-in-office of the Commonwealth and Dr Frendo yesterday held talks with Mr McKinnon at the Foreign Ministry in Valletta.

Mr McKinnon, after spending a few days on holiday in Malta, yesterday also met Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Alfred Sant, Leader of the Opposition. Dr Frendo updated the secretary general on the work being done in preparation for the Commonwealth Connects Steering Committee and Point of Contact meeting to be held in Malta on January 16 and 17. The meeting will be the first step in a process of engaging the Points of Contact in Commonwealth countries to act as focal points for the agreed programme.

The Commonwealth Connects Programme is result oriented and by the next Commonwealth meeting Malta will be able to report to the Heads of State that through this programme the Commonwealth has managed to reach a defined number of people in a practical way.

Dr Frendo and Mr McKinnon also discussed current developments in Fiji, which on December 8 was suspended from participation in the Councils of the Commonwealth following a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration, held in London.