PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated that, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next month, in Trinidad and Tobago, he will be looking to mainly secure support for climate change and a new model of development for small middle income countries.

He spoke about it Monday at a press conference in the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, about the Guyana perspective and as Chairman of CARICOM.

President Jagdeo, noting that the CHOGM will take place just before the Copenhagen meeting, said: “I think it is a CARICOM position largely. We are going to try to secure some support for climate change.

“Secondly, try to secure a new model of development for small middle income countries,” the Head of State said, including special developmental features and differential treatment in trade, as well as the debt relief for middle income countries without creating a moral hazard.

“I think those are the two main things that we will look at as a region,” he told reporters.

Alluding to Guyana’s case, President Jagdeo said: “We know the Venezuela issue always gets reflected in the communiqué and the solidarity of the Commonwealth is very important in that regard.”

The CHOGM, the supreme body of the grouping, is held every two years and gathers Commonwealth leaders to discuss theirs and other issues and agree on collective policies and initiatives.

This year, it will be hosted in Port of Spain from November 27 to 29, under the theme ‘Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future’.

According to the CHOGM official website, all nations, regardless of size, have an equal say at the forum and all decisions and initiatives are agreed only by consensus.