Profiles of Commonwealth Heads of Government

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Port of Spain TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 27-29 November 2009

CHOGM 2009 TRINIDAD & T OBAGO Profiles of Commonwealth Heads of Government CONTENTS

Antigua and Barbuda /The Hon Winston Baldwin Spencer 4 Australia /The Hon Kevin Michael Rudd 5 The Bahamas /The Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Ingraham 6 Bangladesh /The Hon 7 /The Hon David John Howard Thompson 8 /The Hon Dean Barrow 9 Botswana /HE Mr Seretse Khama Ian Khama 10 Brunei Darussalam /HM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah 11 /HE Mr 12 Canada /The Rt Hon Stephen Harper 13 Cyprus /HE Mr Demetris Christofias 14 /The Hon 15 The Gambia /HE Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya A J J Jammeh 16 Ghana /HE Professor John Evans Atta Mills 17 Grenada /The Hon Tillman Thomas 18 Guyana /HE Mr Bharrat Jagdeo 19 India /The Hon Dr Manmohan Singh 20 Jamaica /The Hon Orette Bruce Golding 21 Kenya /HE Mr Mwai Kibaki 22 Kiribati /HE Mr Anote Tong 23 /The Rt Hon Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili 24 Malawi /HE Dr 25 Malaysia /The Hon Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak 26 Maldives /HE Mr Mohamed Nasheed 27 Malta /The Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi 28 Mauritius /The Hon Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam 29 Mozambique /HE Mr Armando Emilio Guebuza 30 Namibia /HE Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba 31 New Zealand /The Hon John Key 32 Nigeria /HE Mr Umaru Musa Yar’Adua 33 Pakistan /The Hon Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani 34 Papua New Guinea /The Rt Hon Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare 35 St Kitts and Nevis /The Hon Dr Denzil Llewellyn Douglas 36 St Lucia /The Hon Stephenson King 37 St Vincent and the Grenadines /The Hon Dr Ralph Everard Gonsalves 38 Samoa /The Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sa’ilele Malielegaoi 39 Seychelles /HE Mr James Alix Michel 40 Sierra Leone /HE Mr Ernest Bai Koroma 41 Singapore /The Hon 42 Solomon Islands /The Hon Dr David Derek Sikua 43 South Africa /HE Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma 44 Sri Lanka /HE Mr 45 Swaziland /The Hon Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini 46 Tonga /The Hon Dr Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele 47 Trinidad and Tobago /The Hon Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning 48 Tuvalu /The Hon Apisai Ielemia 49 Uganda /HE Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 50 United Kingdom /The Rt Hon Gordon Brown 51 United Republic of Tanzania /HE Mr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete 52 Vanuatu /The Hon Edward Nipake Natapei 53 Zambia /HE Mr Rupiah Bwezani banda 54

Note: Fiji Islands was fully suspended from membership of the Commonwealth on 1 September 2009 pending restoration of a democratically elected government. Nauru is a member in arrears and does not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. ANTIGUA and BARBUDA

The Hon Winston Baldwin Spencer PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Winston Baldwin Spencer, Leader of the United Progressive MEMBERSHIP: Party, was re-elected to a second term in office as Prime Minister of 1981 Antigua and Barbuda following victory at the 12 March 2009 general INDEPENDENCE election. Mr Spencer began his first term in office in March 2004. He is DAY: concurrently Minister of Labour. Before becoming prime minister, 1 November 1981 Mr Spencer served in the House of Representatives for more than CAPITAL: 15 years as Leader of the . St John’s Mr Spencer was Chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) LAND AREA: from 2008 to 2009. He has also served as Chair of the Organisation of 440 sq km Eastern Caribbean States and also sat as Co-Chairperson of the Summit POPULATION: Meeting between the European Union, Latin America and the 90,000 Caribbean in Mexico in 2004. He chaired one of four Round Tables of Heads of State and Government at the World Summit 2005, at the GDP GROWTH: 2.5% p.a. United Nations General Assembly. Mr Spencer, Chair of the Group of 77 developing countries at the UN in GNI PER CAPITA: US$13,620 September 2008, was honoured with the 2008 Millennium Development Goals Achievement Award for his commitment and CURRENCY: contributions to promoting and strengthening partnerships between Eastern Caribbean dollar the United Nations and the private sector in achieving global anti- poverty goals. ECONOMY: Manufacturing and Mr Spencer began his political career in 1989 when he was elected to toursim parliament as a United National Democratic Party representative of St John’s Rural West constituency. STATUS: Constitutional Mr Spencer has a diploma in social leadership from the Coady monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II International Institute, Canada; in labour and economic studies from Ruskin College, Oxford University; and in labour and industrial relations from Oslo University, Norway. CHOGM 2009 Mr Spencer was born on 8 October 1948. Trinidad & Tobago 4 Website: www.ab.gov.ag AUSTRALIA

The Hon Kevin Michael Rudd PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Kevin Michael Rudd was sworn into office as Prime Minister of COMMONWEALTH Australia on 3 December 2007 following his victory at the general MEMBERSHIP: 1931 election held on 24 November. NATIONAL DAY: Mr Rudd has been the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since 26 January December 2006. He first joined the ALP at the age of 15 in 1972. Mr Rudd was appointed to Labor’s Shadow Cabinet in 2001 and was CAPITAL: Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs until 2005. Mr Rudd has been a Canberra Member of Parliament representing Griffith since 1998, when he first LAND AREA: served as Chair of the Parliamentary Labor Party’s Committee on 7.7 million sq km National Security and Trade. POPULATION: Before entering politics, Mr Rudd was a consultant with KPMG Australia 22 million from 1996 to 1998. He had previously served as Director-General of the GDP GROWTH: Cabinet Office of the Queensland State Government from 1992 to 1995. 3.7% p.a. Prior to that, Mr Rudd was Chief of Staff in the Office of the Queensland GNI PER CAPITA: Premier Wayne Goss from 1989 to 1992. Earlier on in 1988, Mr Rudd US$40,350 also held the post of Chief of Staff in Mr Goss’s office when he was then the Queensland State Opposition Leader. CURRENCY: Australian dollar Mr Rudd attained the post of Assistant Secretary in the Policy Planning Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 1988 ECONOMY: Agriculture, mining, after rising through the ranks since embarking on a diplomatic career livestock farming and in 1981 where he went on to serve in the Australian Embassies in tourism Stockholm, Sweden, and Beijing, China. STATUS: Mr Rudd has a BA (Hons, 1st class) in Asian Studies from the Australian Constitutional National University, Canberra, majoring in Chinese language and monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II history. He has written extensively on Chinese politics and foreign policy, as well as on Australia-Asia relations and globalisation. He speaks fluent Mandarin. CHOGM Mr Rudd was born on 21 September 1957 in Nambour, Queensland. 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pm.gov.au 5 THE BAHAMAS

The Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Ingraham PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Ingraham was sworn in as the fourth MEMBERSHIP: Prime Minister of The Bahamas on 4 May 2007 following the victory of 1973 the Free National Movement (FNM) Party at the 2 May general election. INDEPENDENCE Mr Ingraham is concurrently the Minister of Finance. DAY: 10 July 1973 He previously served as prime minister from August 1992 to 2002. Mr CAPITAL: Ingraham joined the FNM in 1990 which was then the Opposition Party. Nassau He was elected as party leader in May that year and appointed Leader of the Opposition. LAND AREA: 13,880 sq km In 1987, Mr Ingraham was an independent Member of Parliament. Before that, he was Chairperson of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) POPULATION: 340,000 from 1976 to 1986 after entering politics in 1975 and being elected to the National General Council of the PLP that year. GDP GROWTH: 1% p.a. Mr Ingraham served as Minister for Housing and National Insurance from 1982 to 1984. He was first elected to the House of Assembly in GNI PER CAPITA: US$16,000 1977 under the PLP ticket for his home constituency of Cooper’s Town, North Abaco. CURRENCY: Bahamian dollar Mr Ingraham was called to the Bahamas Bar in December 1972 and became the senior partner in the firm of Christie, Ingraham & Co. ECONOMY: Fisheries, Mr Ingraham was born on 4 August 1947 in Pine Ridge, Grand Bahama. pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum and tourism

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 6 Website: www.bahamas.gov.bs BANGLADESH

The Hon Sheikh Hasina PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Sheikh Hasina was returned to power for a second time as COMMONWEALTH Prime Minister of Bangladesh when her Awami League party which led MEMBERSHIP: 1972 an alliance of political parties won a landslide victory in the Parliamentary Election on 29 December 2008. INDEPENDENCE DAY: She took office on 6 January 2009. Her first term as prime minister was 26 March 1971 from June 1996 to 2001 after the Awami League won the 1996 Parliamentary Election. CAPITAL: Dhaka Sheikh Hasina served as Leader of the Opposition from 1986 to June LAND AREA: 1996, and again in 2001 when her ruling party lost the election. 144,000 sq km Sheikh Hasina has been President of the Awami League since 1981 POPULATION: when she was elected as the party’s leader while living in exile in New 160 million Delhi, India. Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of independent Bangladesh. GDP GROWTH: 6.2% p.a. She has won numerous awards, including UNESCO’s Félix Houphouët- GNI PER CAPITA: Boigny Peace Prize in 1998 for helping to end 25 years of insurgency US$520 and conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Sheikh Hasina also won the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Ceres Medal in 1999 for her CURRENCY: Taka contributions to agricultural development and food security. She also received the Pearl S Buck Award in 2000 awarded by the Randolph ECONOMY: College, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA, in recognition of her achievements in Agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing socio-economic and political affairs.

Sheikh Hasina is a graduate of the University of Dhaka. She is an STATUS: Republic author of several books, including Why Are They Street Children (1997); The Origins of Autocracy (1993); Miles To Go – Elimination of Poverty and Some Thoughts (1993); My Dream, My Struggle (1996); People and Democracy (1997); and Development for the Masses (1999).

Sheikh Hasina was born on 28 September 1947 in Tungipara, Gopalganj CHOGM district, Bangladesh. 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pmo.gov.bd 7 BARBADOS

The Hon David John Howard Thompson PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon David John Howard Thompson became the sixth MEMBERSHIP: Prime Minister of Barbados when his Democratic Liberal Party (DLP) 1966 won the January 2008 general election. He concurrently holds the INDEPENDENCE posts of Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Development, DAY: Labour, Civil Service and Energy. 30 November 1966 Mr Thompson was DLP President and Opposition Leader in 2006. From CAPITAL: 2003 to 2006, he resumed his law practice after relinquishing his post Bridgetown as Leader of the DLP and Leader of the Opposition in 2003. Mr LAND AREA: Thompson was appointed Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 2003. 430 sq km He continued to hold the post of General Secretary of the DLP from POPULATION: 1987 to 1994 while serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) and 295,000 Cabinet minister. From 1993 to 1994, Mr Thompson became Finance Minister. He served as Minister of State for Finance from 1992 to 1993. GDP GROWTH: 4.1 % p.a. Mr Thompson was first appointed to the Cabinet in 1991 as Minister of Community Development and Culture. He was involved in the GNI PER CAPITA: US$9,300 establishment of the Barbados Youth Service and the Youth in Business Programme, and in the restructuring of the National Youth Orchestra. CURRENCY: Barbados dollar Mr Thompson became an MP in 1987. Before this, he joined private law firm Trident Chambers in 1986 and was a part-time law tutor at the ECONOMY: Agriculture, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, from 1986 to 1988. manufacturing and His involvement in politics began when he became president of the tourism youth wing of the DLP from 1980 to 1982. STATUS: Constitutional Mr Thompson has a law degree from the University of the West Indies monarchy under HM and a postgraduate certificate in legal education from the same Queen Elizabeth II institution.

He was born in London, UK, on 25 December 1961. CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 8 Website: www.barbados.gov.bb BELIZE

The Hon Dean Barrow PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Dean Barrow was sworn in as Prime Minister of Belize on COMMONWEALTH 8 February 2008 following a landslide victory at the general election on MEMBERSHIP: 1981 7 February. INDEPENDENCE He is concurrently the Minister of Finance. DAY: Mr Barrow, Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), had served as 21 September 1981 Leader of the Opposition from 1998 to February 2008. CAPITAL: Belmopan From 1993 to 1998, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Security, and Attorney-General. LAND AREA: 22,970 sq km Mr Barrow served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Development from 1984 to 1989, after he was elected to the House of POPULATION: Representatives in 1984 as the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate 310,000 for the Queen’s Square electoral division. GDP GROWTH: 3% p.a. Mr Barrow has a Master’s degree in Law and International Relations from the University of Miami, Florida, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law GNI PER CAPITA: from the University of the West Indies, Barbados. US$3,820

Mr Barrow was born in on 2 March 1951. CURRENCY: Belizean dollar

ECONOMY: Agriculture and fisheries

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz 9 BOTSWANA

HE Mr Seretse Khama Ian Khama PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Seretse Khama Ian Khama was sworn in to a second term in MEMBERSHIP: office as President of Botswana on 20 October 2009 following the 1966 victory of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) at the general INDEPENDENCE election on 16 October. DAY: 30 September 1966 Mr Khama was appointed president on 1 April 2008 by his predecessor Mr Festus Mogae. CAPITAL: Gaborone Mr Khama is the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe. He is the son of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana’s independence leader who was the LAND AREA: 582,000 sq km country’s first president from 1966 to 1980. Mr Khama was elected Chairperson of the BDP in July 2003. POPULATION: 1.9 million He was appointed Vice-President in July 1998 after winning a by- GDP GROWTH: election as a candidate of the BDP. Mr Khama, who had held the post -1% p.a. of Lieutenant-General, had earlier stepped down from his post as Commander of the Botswana Defence Force in March 1998 to pursue a GNI PER CAPITA: US$6,470 political career.

CURRENCY: Mr Khama retained the post of Vice-President following the victory of Pula the BDP in the general election of October 1999. He also held the concurrent post of Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public ECONOMY: Administration from October 1999 to January 2000. Diamonds, mining and textiles Mr Khama, who is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, STATUS: UK, is a qualified pilot. Republic with an executive president He was born on 27 February 1953 in Chertsey, Surrey, UK.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 10 Website: www.iankhama.com BRUNEI DARUSSALAM HM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN

HM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin COMMONWEALTH Waddaulah was crowned Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei MEMBERSHIP: 1984 Darussalam on 1 August 1968. He is the 29th Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan in his line, which dates back to the 14th century. INDEPENDENCE DAY: Sultan Haji Hasssanal Bolkiah ascended to the throne on 5 October 1 January 1984 1967 following the voluntary abdication of his father, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien. CAPITAL: Bandar Seri Begawan The Sultan is concurrently Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Finance LAND AREA: Minister and Head of the Religious Council. He set up the Sultan 5,770 sq km Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation in 1992. POPULATION: He was educated in Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, is a graduate of 400,000 the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, UK, and was commissioned as Captain in 1967. GDP GROWTH: 0.6% p.a. He was installed as Crown Prince in 1961 at the age of 15. GNI PER CAPITA: The Sultan was born on 15 July 1946 in Brunei Town, now known as US$32,000 Bandar Seri Begawan. CURRENCY: Brunei dollar

ECONOMY: Agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas

STATUS: National monarchy

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.brunei.gov.bn 11 CAMEROON

HE Mr Paul Biya PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Paul Biya became on 6 November 1982 MEMBERSHIP: following the resignation of his predecessor, Mr . 1995 Mr Biya was returned to office in 1984, 1988, 1992 (by the first pluralist INDEPENDENCE presidential ballot ever held in the country), and in 1997 and 2004 for DAY: 1 January 1960 seven-year terms.

CAPITAL: Mr Biya held the post of Chairperson of the Cameroon People’s Yaoundé Democratic Movement in 1985 following its transformation from the Cameroon National Union Party which he had also chaired since 1983. LAND AREA: 475,400 sq km Mr Biya was appointed Prime Minister in 1975. He had earlier served as Minister of State and Secretary-General in the Office of the President in POPULATION: 18.9 million 1970. From 1968 to 1970, he was Secretary-General and Director of the Civil Cabinet in the Office of the President. Mr Biya served as Director of GDP GROWTH: the Civil Cabinet from 1967 to 1968. Before that, he was Permanent 3.9% p.a. Secretary in the Ministry of National Education in 1965 and served as its GNI PER CAPITA: Director of Cabinet in 1964. Mr Biya was Chargé de Mission of the US$1,150 Presidency of Cameroon in 1962.

CURRENCY: He attended the University of Sorbonne’s Faculty of Law and the CFA Franc Institut des Haute Études d’Outre-Mer. ECONOMY: Mr Biya was born on 13 February 1933 in Mvoméka’a, South Province, Agriculture, mining and crude oil Cameroon.

STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 12 Website: www.prc.cm CANADA

The Rt Hon Stephen Harper PRIME MINISTER

The Rt Hon Stephen Harper was re-elected to a second term in office as COMMONWEALTH Prime Minister of Canada following victory at the 14 October 2008 MEMBERSHIP: 1931 general election. He first took office in February 2006. NATIONAL DAY: Mr Harper is Leader of the Conservative Party which he co-founded in 1 July 2003. Before that, he was Leader of the Opposition in 2002 after winning the leadership of the Canadian Alliance. CAPITAL: Ottawa In 1997 Mr Harper was Vice-President (and later President) of the National Citizens’ Coalition. He was first elected to the House of LAND AREA: 10 million sq km Commons in 1993 as a Reform Party candidate for Calgary West, Alberta. POPULATION: 33.3 million Mr Harper has Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics from the University of Calgary. GDP GROWTH: 0.4% p.a. He was born on 30 April 1959, in Toronto, Ontario. GNI PER CAPITA: US$41,730

CURRENCY: Canadian dollar

ECONOMY: Agriculture, automobiles, forestry, oil and gas

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pm.gc.ca 13 CYPRUS

HE Mr Demetris Christofias PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Demetris Christofias took office as President of Cyprus on MEMBERSHIP: 28 February 2008 following victory at the presidential election on 1961 24 February. INDEPENDENCE Mr Christofias had served as President of the House of Representatives DAY: 16 August 1960 from 2001 to February 2008. He was first elected to the House of Representatives as an AKEL-Left-New Forces Party candidate for the CAPITAL: Kyrenia district in 1991 and was re-elected in 1996, 2001 and 2006. Nicosia AKEL is translated as: The Progressive Party for the Working People. LAND AREA: 9,250 sq km Mr Christofias has been General Secretary of the AKEL Central Committee since April 1988 and was re-elected in 1990, 1995, 2000 and POPULATION: 2005. He had earlier been elected to the Secretariat of the AKEL Central 860,000 Committee in 1987 and was a member of its Political Bureau in 1986. GDP GROWTH: Mr Christofias was a member of the Central Committee from 1982 to 4.4% p.a. 1986. He was an elected member of the Nicosia-Kyrenia District Committee of AKEL in 1976. GNI PER CAPITA: US$22,950 Mr Christofias served as General Secretary of the United Democratic CURRENCY: Youth Organisation from 1977 to 1987. Before that, he held the post of Euro Central Organisational Secretary from 1974 to 1977. Mr Christofias was elected to the Central Council of the United Democratic Youth ECONOMY: Agriculture, Organisation in 1969, which he joined in 1964 while also taking up manufacturing and membership of AKEL and the Pancyprian Federation of Labour. pharmaceuticals Mr Christofias first became active in politics at the age of 14 when he STATUS: joined the Pancyprian United Students Organisation. Republic with an executive president He has a Doctorate in History from the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (now known as the Russian Academy of Sciences) and is fluent in Russian.

CHOGM Mr Christofias was born on 29 August 1946 in Dhikomo, Kyrenia District, 2009 Trinidad & Tobago in the area of Cyprus under military occupation by Turkey since 1974. 14 Website: www.presidency.gov.cy DOMINICA

The Hon Roosevelt Skerrit PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Roosevelt Skerrit is serving his second term in office as Prime COMMONWEALTH Minister of Dominica following the victory of his MEMBERSHIP: 1978 in the May 2005 general election. He was first sworn into office in January 2004 after the untimely passing of the late Prime Minister, the INDEPENDENCE Hon Pierre Charles. DAY: 3 November 1978 Mr Skerrit is concurrently Minister for Finance, Social Security and National Security. CAPITAL: Roseau He is the youngest Prime Minister to be elected in Dominica. He leads LAND AREA: the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the issue of Free Movement of 750 sq km Labour as part of the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. POPULATION: 73,000 Mr Skerrit was elected to the House of Assembly (Legislature) in 2000 and first served as Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs. He later took GDP GROWTH: 3.4% p.a. on the Education portfolio as well. GNI PER CAPITA: Before entering politics, Mr Skerrit worked as an educationist and US$4,770 lectured at the Dominica State College. CURRENCY: Mr Skerrit has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English from the Eastern Caribbean University of Mississippi, USA. dollar

He was born on 8 June 1972 in Vieille Case, Dominica. ECONOMY: Agriculture and tourism

STATUS: Republic

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.dominica.gov.dm 15 THE GAMBIA HE Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya A J J Jammeh PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya A J J Jammeh is serving his third MEMBERSHIP: term in office as President of the Republic of The Gambia following his 1965 victory at the September 2006 presidential election. Dr Jammeh first INDEPENDENCE took office in October 1996 and won a second term in the October 2001 DAY: presidential election. 18 February 1965 Dr Jammeh served as Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State CAPITAL: and Government of the West African Monetary Zone in 2005. He was Banjul appointed 1st Vice-Chairperson of the Organisation of the Islamic LAND AREA: Conference at its 9th Meeting of Heads of State and Government in 11,300 sq km Doha, Qatar, in 2001.

POPULATION: He also served as Chairperson of the Inter-States Committee for the 1.7 million Control of Drought in the Sahel from 1997 to 2000.

GDP GROWTH: Dr Jammeh served in the Gambia National Army from 1984 to 1991, 5.9% p.a. and the Gambia National Army’s Military Police from 1991 to 1994. He GNI PER CAPITA: is a graduate of the US Military Police Training Center in Port McClellan, US$390 Alabama, USA. In 1994, Dr Jammeh who was then a Lieutenant, was CURRENCY: Chairperson of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council. He Dalasi attained the rank of Colonel in 1996 before retiring from the army.

ECONOMY: Dr Jammeh was educated at The Gambia High School. He was conferred Agriculture and an honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of the Gambia in fisheries 2004.

STATUS: Dr Jammeh was born on 25 May 1965 in Kanilai Village, Foni Kansala Republic with an executive president District, the Gambia.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 16 Website: www.statehouse.gm GHANA

HE Professor John Evans Atta Mills PRESIDENT

HE Professor John Evans Atta Mills was sworn into office as President COMMONWEALTH of Ghana on 7 January 2009 after winning the presidential run-off on MEMBERSHIP: 1957 2 January under the National (NDC) ticket. INDEPENDENCE He was Leader of the Opposition from 2004 to 2008. DAY: In December 2002, Professor Mills was elected Chairperson of the NDC. 6 March 1957

He held the post of Vice-President from 1997 to 2000 under the CAPITAL: Accra presidency of Mr Jerry Rawlings. LAND AREA: Professor Mills served as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service 238,500 sq km from 1988 to 1996. POPULATION: Professor Mills spent more than 25 years lecturing at the University of 23.5 million Ghana’s Faculty of Law. He was also a visiting lecturer at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and Leiden University, The GDP GROWTH: 6.2% p.a. Netherlands. He was a visiting scholar at the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, Canada. GNI PER CAPITA: US$670 Professor Mills has a Doctorate in Law from the University of London, UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Ghana. He CURRENCY: was a Fulbright scholar at Stanford University’s Law School, California, Cedi USA. ECONOMY: Agriculture, mining He has authored several publications including Exemption of Dividends and timber from Income Taxation: A Critical Appraisal and Ghana’s Income Tax Laws and the Investor. STATUS: Republic with an Professor Mills was born on 21 July 1944 in Tarkwa, Ghana. executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.ghana.gov.gh 17 GRENADA

The Hon Tillman Thomas PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Tillman Thomas was sworn into office as Prime Minister of MEMBERSHIP: Grenada on 11 July 2008 after winning the general election on 8 July. 1974 He is concurrently Minister for National Security, Public Administration, INDEPENDENCE Information, and Information Communication Technology and Culture. DAY: 7 February 1974 Mr Thomas is Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He was CAPITAL: previously Leader of the Opposition from 2003 to June 2008. St George’s Mr Thomas co-founded the NDC in 1987 and served as the party’s LAND AREA: Assistant General Secretary until 1990. He was appointed Junior Minister 340 sq km in the Ministry of Labour and was subsequently appointed Minister in the Ministries of Works and Tourism. POPULATION: 100,000 Earlier in his political career, Mr Thomas joined the Grenada Democratic GDP GROWTH: Movement in 1983, which merged with three other parties the following 2.1% p.a. year to form the New National Party (NNP). The NNP won the 1984 general election with Mr Thomas winning the St Patrick East constituency. GNI PER CAPITA: US$5,710 He was appointed Junior Minister in the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

CURRENCY: Mr Thomas has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of the Eastern Caribbean West Indies, Barbados, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from dollar Fordham University, New York, USA.

ECONOMY: He was born on 13 June 1947 in Hermitage, St Patrick, Grenada. Agriculture

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 18 Website: www.gov.gd GUYANA

HE Mr Bharrat Jagdeo PRESIDENT

HE Mr Bharrat Jagdeo was elected to his second term in office as COMMONWEALTH President of Guyana following the victory of the People’s Progressive MEMBERSHIP: 1966 Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the August 2006 general election. He was first elected as president in the March 2001 election. Mr Jagdeo was earlier INDEPENDENCE appointed president in August 1999 following the resignation of Janet DAY: Jagan due to ill health. 26 May 1966

Mr Jagdeo is currently Chairperson of the Caribbean Community. He CAPITAL: Georgetown served as Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2005 to 2006. Earlier, he held the post of LAND AREA: Guyana’s Governor to the International Monetary Fund, , 215,000 sq km and Caribbean Development Bank, and was Chairperson of the POPULATION: Caribbean Group of Governors to the Inter-American Development 760,000 Bank. GDP GROWTH: In 1995, Mr Jagdeo was made Senior Minister of Finance and also 3% p.a. served as Director of the National Bank of Industry and Commerce. He GNI PER CAPITA: was Junior Minister of Finance from 1993 to 1995, and served as a US$1,420 Member of the PPP Central and Executive Committees. Before that, he was Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance in 1992. CURRENCY: Guyana dollar In 1990, Mr Jagdeo worked as an economist at the State Planning ECONOMY: Secretariat. He became a member of the PPP in 1980 and served in Agriculture, mining leadership positions on district and regional committees. Mr Jagdeo’s and timber entry into politics began at age 13 when he joined the youth arm of STATUS: the PPP in 1977. Republic with an Mr Jagdeo has a Master’s degree in Economics from the People’s executive president Friendship University in Moscow, Russia.

He was born on 23 January 1964 in Unity, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.opnew.op.gov.gy 19 INDIA

The Hon Dr Manmohan Singh PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Dr Manmohan Singh began a second term in office as Prime MEMBERSHIP: Minister of India on 22 May 2009 following victory of his ruling 1947 Congress-led coalition at the May general election. He first became INDEPENDENCE prime minister in May 2004. DAY: 15 August 1947 Dr Singh has been a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) since 1991, serving as Leader of the Opposition from 1998 CAPITAL: to 2004. He was Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996. Dr Singh served as New Delhi Secretary-General of the South Commission in , , LAND AREA: from 1987 to 1990. 3.3 million sq km Dr Singh joined the civil service as an Economic Adviser in the Ministry POPULATION: of Commerce in 1971. The following year, he was appointed Chief 1.14 billion Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Finance. Dr Singh went on to hold GDP GROWTH: many senior positions including Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, 7.1% p.a. Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Adviser of the Prime Minister and Chairperson of GNI PER CAPITA: US$1,070 the University Grants Commission.

CURRENCY: Before that, Dr Singh was Professor of Economics at Panjab University, Rupee Chandigarh, and Professor of International Trade at Delhi University’s School of Economics. He also had a brief stint at the United Nations ECONOMY: Engineering goods, Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretariat in Geneva. textiles and tourism Dr Singh obtained his Doctorate in Economics from the University of STATUS: Oxford, UK. He has a Bachelor’s degree (Hons, 1st class) in Economics Republic from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a Master’s degree in Economics from Panjab University.

He is the author of India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth (1964).

CHOGM Dr Singh was born on 26 September 1932 in Punjab, India. 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 20 Website: www.pmindia.nic.in JAMAICA

The Hon Orette Bruce Golding PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Orette Bruce Golding was sworn in as the eighth Prime COMMONWEALTH Minister of Jamaica on 11 September 2007 after leading the Jamaica MEMBERSHIP: 1962 Labour Party (JLP) to victory in the 3 September general election. INDEPENDENCE Mr Golding was formerly Leader of the Opposition from April 2005 to DAY: September 2007. He became head of the JLP in February 2005. 6 August 1962

Mr Golding was Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade CAPITAL: from 2002 to 2005. He was elected Chairperson of the JLP in November Kingston 2003 after rejoining in 2002. LAND AREA: From 1995 to 2001, Mr Golding served as President of the National 11,000 sq km Democratic Movement. Between 1984 and 1995, he was Chairperson of POPULATION: the JLP. Prior to that, he served as General Secretary of the JLP from 2.7 million 1974 to 1984. GDP GROWTH: Mr Golding was appointed Minister of Construction in 1980, serving in -1.3% p.a. that position until 1989. He was elected Chairperson of the UN GNI PER CAPITA: Commission on Human Settlements from 1984 to 1985. He was the US$4,870 Opposition Spokesperson on Finance and Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee from 1989 to 1995. CURRENCY: Jamaican dollar Mr Golding became a Member of Parliament in 1972. He was a ECONOMY: member of the Central Executive Committee of the JLP in 1969. Agriculture, mining Mr Golding has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of and tourism the West Indies. STATUS: Constitutional He was born on 5 December 1947. monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.jis.gov.jm 21 KENYA

HE Mr Mwai Kibaki PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Mwai Kibaki won a second term in office as President of Kenya MEMBERSHIP: after the victory of the Party of National Unity coalition in the December 1963 2007 election. He served his first term in office in December 2002 INDEPENDENCE following the election victory of the National Rainbow Coalition Party. DAY: 12 December 1963 Before this, Mr Kibaki was Leader of the Opposition from 1998 to 2002 and also served as a Member of the House Business Committee CAPITAL: during this period. In 1998, he headed the Democratic Party which he Nairobi co-founded in 1991. Mr Kibaki was a Member and Chairperson of the LAND AREA: Public Accounts Committee from 1997 to 2002. He became Minister of 580,400 sq km Health in 1988. Prior to this, Mr Kibaki was Minister of Home Affairs and POPULATION: National Heritage from 1983 to 1988. 38.5 million While serving as Vice-President in 1978, Mr Kibaki was concurrently GDP GROWTH: Minister of Finance and Economic Planning until 1983. He was first 3.6% p.a. appointed to the portfolio in 1970. Mr Kibaki was Leader of Government Business and Chairperson of the Sessional Committee from 1978 to 1988. GNI PER CAPITA: US$770 During this period, he also served as Vice-President of the Kenya African National Union (KANU). CURRENCY: Kenyan shilling Mr Kibaki took on the post of Minister of Commerce and Industry from 1965 to 1969. From 1963 to 1965 he served as Parliamentary Secretary in ECONOMY: Agriculture, fisheries the Ministry of Finance. Mr Kibaki was elected to Parliament in 1963 on and tourism the KANU ticket after embarking on a political career in 1960 as the Executive Officer of KANU. STATUS: Republic with an Before entering politics, he was an Assistant Lecturer at Makerere executive president University, Uganda, from 1958 to 1960.

Mr Kibaki has a Bachelor’s degree (Hons, 1st class) in Public Finance from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s degree (Hons, 1st class) in Economics from Makerere University, Uganda. CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Mr Kibaki was born on 15 November 1931 in Othaya, Nyeri, Kenya. 22 Website: www.statehousekenya.go.ke KIRIBATI

HE Mr Anote Tong PRESIDENT

HE Mr Anote Tong is serving his second term in office as President of COMMONWEALTH Kiribati following his victory in the October 2007 presidential election. MEMBERSHIP: 1979 He first took office in July 2003 as the country’s fourth President. Mr Tong is concurrently Minister of External Affairs and Immigration. INDEPENDENCE DAY: He was a Member of Parliament and a senior member of the 12 July 1979 Boutokaan Te Koaua Party from 1996 to 2003, and was re-elected in CAPITAL: the August 2007 parliamentary election. Tarawa

LAND AREA: Mr Tong previously served as Minister for Natural Resources 810 sq km Development from 1994 to 1996. He was appointed Secretary for the Ministry of Communication and Works from 1980 to 1982, and Senior POPULATION: Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education from 1976 to 1977. 101,000 GDP GROWTH: Mr Tong has been Chairperson of the National Fishing Company, 3.4% p.a. the Development Bank of Kiribati, Otintai Hotel and Air Tungaru GNI PER CAPITA: Co-operative. US$2,000

He has a Master’s degree in Economics from the London School of CURRENCY: Economics, UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Science from the University Australian dollar of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. ECONOMY: Agriculture and Mr Tong was born in 1952. fisheries STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 23 LESOTHO

The Rt Hon Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Rt Hon Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili was re-elected to a third term as MEMBERSHIP: Prime Minister of Lesotho following the 17 February 2007 general 1966 election. He is concurrently Minister of Defence and National Security. INDEPENDENCE Mr Mosisili served as Chairperson of the Southern African Development DAY: 4 October 1966 Community from August 2006 to August 2007.

CAPITAL: He has been leading the Lesotho Congress for Democracy party since Maseru February 1998. Mr Mosisili was Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Home Affairs and Local Government from 1995 to 1998. Before this he LAND AREA: 30,350 sq km held the post of Minister for Education and Manpower Development from 1993 to 1995 after being elected to Parliament. POPULATION: 2 million Mr Mosisili was formerly a member of the Congress Party in 1967. GDP GROWTH: 3.9% p.a. He has a Master’s degree in Education from the Simon Fraser University, Canada, and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of GNI PER CAPITA: US$1,080 Wisconsin, USA. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sesotho from the University of South Africa, and from the University of Botswana, CURRENCY: Lesotho and Swaziland. Loti Mr Mosisili started his career as a high school teacher and a lecturer in ECONOMY: African languages at various universities in Southern Africa. Agriculture, manufacturing He was born on 14 March 1945 in Qacha’s Nek, Lesotho. and tourism

STATUS: National monarchy

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 24 Website: www.lesotho.gov.ls MALAWI

HE Dr Bingu wa Mutharika PRESIDENT

HE Dr Bingu wa Mutharika won a second term in office as President of COMMONWEALTH Malawi following a decisive victory of the ruling Democratic Progressive MEMBERSHIP: 1964 Party in the general election on 18 May 2009. He first took office in May 2004. INDEPENDENCE DAY: Dr Mutharika was Senior Minister of Economic Planning and 6 July 1964 Development from 2003 to 2004. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi from 2001 to 2003. He also CAPITAL: Lilongwe served as Secretary-General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa from 1991 to 1997. Dr Mutharika was formerly Director LAND AREA: of the Trade and Finance Division of the United Nations Economic 118,500 sq km Commission for Africa. He also worked at the World Bank. POPULATION: 14.2 million Dr Mutharika spearheaded the establishment of several regional economic organisations such as the Association of African Central GDP GROWTH: Banks, Conference of African Ministers of Finance, African Federation of 9.7% p.a. Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Eastern and Southern Africa GNI PER CAPITA: Business Organisation. US$290

He has authored several books, including One Africa, One Destiny: CURRENCY: Africa’s Response to Globalisation (2007); Mabizinesi Aphindu: Malawi kwacha Mayendetsedwe Abwino Amakono (Modern Methods of Running ECONOMY: Profitable Businesses ) (2004); One Africa, One Destiny: Towards Agriculture Democracy, Good Governance and Development (1995); and Towards Multinational Economic Co-operation in Africa (1972). STATUS: Republic with an Dr Mutharika holds a Doctorate in Development Economics from the executive president Pacific Western University, Los Angeles, USA, as well as a Master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Delhi, India.

He was born on 24 February 1934 in Kamoto Village, Thyolo, Malawi. CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.malawi.gov.mw 25 MALAYSIA The Hon Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak took office as MEMBERSHIP: the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia on 3 April 2009. He succeeded 1957 the Hon Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi who stepped down after INDEPENDENCE five-and-a-half years at the helm. DAY: 31 August 1957 Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib is also the President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which is the dominant political party in Malaysia. CAPITAL: UMNO leads the ruling (National Front) coalition, Kuala Lumpur which has ruled the South-East Asian country since independence in LAND AREA: 1957. He is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Pekan, Pahang. 330,000 sq km Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib has been active in Malaysian politics for more POPULATION: than 30 years. He was elected as Malaysia’s youngest MP at the age of 27 million 23 in 1976 for the Pekan parliamentary seat that had been vacated by GDP GROWTH: the sudden demise of his father, the late Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin 4.6% p.a. Hussein, Malaysia’s second prime minister.

GNI PER CAPITA: In 1978, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib was made Deputy Minister of Energy, US$6,970 Telecommunications and Post – the youngest person to hold the CURRENCY: portfolio. In 1980, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Education, and Ringgit a year later, Deputy Minister of Finance.

ECONOMY: In 1986, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib was made Minister of Culture, Youth and Agriculture, Sports at the age of 32, again, the youngest cabinet member at the manufacturing, time. He held the post of Minister of Youth and Sports from 1987 to oil and gas, and tourism 1990. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib went on to hold many ministerial portfolios – Defence Minister (1990-1995 and 1998-2008), Finance Minister STATUS: (September 2008-present) and Education Minister (1995-1999). In 2004, National monarchy he was made Deputy Prime Minister.

Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib attended the University of Nottingham, UK, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Economics in 1974. CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago He was born on 23 July 1953 in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia. 26 Website: www.pmo.gov.my MALDIVES

HE Mr Mohamed Nasheed PRESIDENT

HE Mr Mohamed Nasheed was sworn into office on 11 November 2008, COMMONWEALTH after winning the run-off of the first multiparty presidential election in MEMBERSHIP: 1982 Maldives on 28 October. He succeeded Mr Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who had ruled the Indian Ocean archipelago for 30 years from 1978 to INDEPENDENCE 2008. DAY: 26 July 1965 Mr Nasheed was the leader and founding member of the country’s first opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He served in CAPITAL: Malé the party’s General Council since the MDP’s establishment in 2004 and was elected as the Chairperson of the MDP in December 2005. LAND AREA: 300 sq km Prior to the launch of the MDP, Mr Nasheed was a member of the People’s Majlis (Parliament) for a brief period in 1999 before losing his POPULATION: 337,000 seat when he was jailed as a political prisoner.

Before his entry into politics, Mr Nasheed served as Director of the GDP GROWTH: 5.8% p.a. Oriental Academic Centre, a research institution for history and literature, in Malé in 2001. He was a director of a local tourism GNI PER CAPITA: company in Malé from 1994 to 1998. US$3,630

Mr Nasheed was educated at the Majeediyya School in Malé before CURRENCY: Maldivian rufiyaa attending the Overseas School of Colombo in Sri Lanka. He completed his ‘A’ levels at the Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire, UK, and later graduated ECONOMY: from the Liverpool John Moores University, UK, in 1989 with a BSc in Fisheries and tourism Maritime Studies. STATUS: Mr Nasheed is the author of a collection of books and novels in Dhivehi Republic with an executive president and English.

Mr Nasheed was born on 17 May 1967 in Malé.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv 27 MALTA

The Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi is serving a second term as Prime Minister of MEMBERSHIP: Malta following the victory of his Nationalist Party (NP) at the 8 March 1964 2008 general election. He first took office in March 2004 soon after being INDEPENDENCE elected Leader of the NP. DAY: 21 September 1964 Prior to this, Dr Gonzi was Deputy Prime Minister from May 1999 to March 2004, while holding the post of Deputy Leader of the NP. He was CAPITAL: appointed Leader of the House of Representatives from September 1998 Valletta to March 2004. LAND AREA: 320 sq km Dr Gonzi served as Minister for Social Policy from 1998 to 1999. From 1997 to 1999, he served as Secretary-General of the NP. POPULATION: 410,000 Dr Gonzi was elected to parliament in 1996 and served as Opposition GDP GROWTH: Party , Secretary to the Parliamentary Group and Shadow Minister 3.8% p.a. for Social Policy from 1996 to 1998.

GNI PER CAPITA: He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1988 to 1996. US$17,000 From 1989 to 1997, Dr Gonzi was Chairperson of a leading company in CURRENCY: the private sector. Euro Prior to his entry into politics, he practised law from 1975 to 1988. ECONOMY: Manufacturing, Dr Gonzi obtained his Doctorate in Law from the University of Malta. services and tourism He was born on 1 July 1953 in Valletta. STATUS: Republic

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 28 Website: www.gov.mt MAURITIUS

The Hon Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam became Prime Minister of COMMONWEALTH Mauritius on 5 July 2005. He is concurrently Minister of Defence and MEMBERSHIP: 1968 Home Affairs. INDEPENDENCE Dr Ramgoolam of the Mauritius Labour Party (MLP), was Leader of the DAY: Opposition from October 2000 to July 2005. 12 March 1968

He had earlier served as prime minister from December 1995 to CAPITAL: September 2000. From 1991 to 1995, he was Leader of the Opposition. Port Louis

Dr Ramgoolam has headed the MLP since 1991 and served as its LAND AREA: President from June 1991 to July 1992. 2,040 sq km

Before entering politics, Dr Ramgoolam worked as a medical doctor in POPULATION: Mauritius from 1985 to 1987. He earlier served as a medical doctor at 1.3 million The Yorkshire Clinic in West Yorkshire, UK, from 1982 to 1985. GDP GROWTH: 5.3% p.a. Dr Ramgoolam was a senior medical doctor at the Amersham General Hospital, Buckinghamshire, UK, from 1981 to 1982; and a clinical GNI PER CAPITA: assistant in cardiology at the University College Hospital in London from US$6,400 1977 to 1981. CURRENCY: From 1976 to 1977, Dr Ramgoolam worked as a resident medical doctor Mauritian rupee at the Dr A G Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis, Mauritius. Prior to this, he ECONOMY: was an intern at St Laurence’s Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. Agriculture, manufacturing and Dr Ramgoolam has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of tourism London, UK. He later completed a vocation course at the Inns of Court STATUS: School of Law in 1993 and was called to the Bar at Inner Temple, UK, Republic that year.

He holds a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of England, and a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. CHOGM Dr Ramgoolam was born on 14 July 1947. 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.primeminister.gov.mu 29 MOZAMBIQUE

HE Mr Armando Emilio Guebuza PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Armando Emilio Guebuza was re-elected to a second term MEMBERSHIP: in office as President of Mozambique following a decisive victory at 1995 the presidential election on 28 October 2009. He first took office in INDEPENDENCE February 2005. DAY: 25 June 1975 Mr Guebuza was the Secretary-General of Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) in 2002 and its Chief Whip in the first CAPITAL: multiparty parliament that emerged after the 1994 general election. Maputo He headed the government delegation to the Rome talks with the LAND AREA: Mozambican National Resistance, RENAMO, which culminated in the 801,600 sq km Rome Peace Agreement of 2 October 1992.

POPULATION: Mr Guebuza was also involved in the Burundi Peace Process, and in 22 million 1997 he was in charge of the Commission on the Nature of the Burundi GDP GROWTH: Conflict, and Problems of Genocide and Exclusion and its Solution. 6.5% p.a. He chaired the Commission for Guarantees for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement in 2000. GNI PER CAPITA: US$370 Mr Guebuza was appointed Minister of Transport and Communications CURRENCY: in 1986 and Minister in the President’s Office with responsibility for Mozambique metical Agriculture, Trade, Light Industry and Tourism from 1984 to 1986. He was Minister of the Interior from 1983 to 1985, and from 1975 to 1977. ECONOMY: Agriculture, fisheries, From 1966 to 1978, Mr Guebuza held various posts in FRELIMO, and mining including Minister of Home Affairs in the Transition Government formed after the Lusaka Agreement of 1974. He joined FRELIMO in 1963 STATUS: and has been a FRELIMO Central Committee member since 1965. Republic with an executive president Mr Guebuza was born on 20 January 1943 in Murrupula, Nampula Province, Mozambique.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 30 Website: www.govnet.gov.mz NAMIBIA

HE Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba PRESIDENT

HE Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba was sworn in as the second President of COMMONWEALTH Namibia on 21 March 2005. MEMBERSHIP: 1990 Between 1996 and 2005, he served as Minister of Fisheries and Marine INDEPENDENCE Resources; Minister without Portfolio; and Minister of Lands, DAY: Resettlement and Rehabilitation. 21 March 1990

In 2002, Mr Pohamba was Vice-President of the South West African CAPITAL: People’s Organisation (SWAPO) after serving as its Secretary-General Windhoek since 1997. LAND AREA: Following Independence in March 1990, he served as Minister of 824,300 sq km Home Affairs. POPULATION: In 1989 Mr Pohamba was Head of Administration in the SWAPO 2.1 million Directorate of Elections in Windhoek, and became a member of the GDP GROWTH: Constituent Assembly in November that year where he participated in 2.7% p.a. the drafting of the Namibia Constitution. GNI PER CAPITA: In 1978 Mr Pohamba was made Secretary of Finance after becoming US$4,200 a member of the SWAPO’s Political Bureau. He was SWAPO’s Chief CURRENCY: Representative in East Africa from 1973 to 1977, based in Dar es Namibia dollar Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania. He held the post of Deputy ECONOMY: Administrative Secretary in 1970. From 1964 to 1969, Mr Pohamba was Diamonds, fisheries, SWAPO’s Deputy Chief Representative for Central and North Africa, livestock farming and based in Algiers, Algeria. He co-founded SWAPO in 1960. mining

Mr Pohamba has a Diploma from the International School of Political STATUS: Science in Moscow, Russia. Republic with an executive president He was born on 18 August 1935 in Okanghudhi-Pohamba Village, Ondobe Constituency, Namibia.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.grnnet.gov.na 31 NEW ZEALAND

The Hon John Key PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon John Key took office on 19 November 2008 after his National MEMBERSHIP: Party (NP) won the 8 November general election. 1931

NATIONAL DAY: He is concurrently Tourism Minister. 6 February Mr Key was elected as NP leader in November 2006 after becoming its CAPITAL: Wellington Spokesperson on Finance in 2004. He won a parliamentary seat in 2002 as an NP representative for Helensville. LAND AREA: 270,500 sq km Before his entry into politics, Mr Key was a member of the Foreign POPULATION: Exchange Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from 4.2 million 1999 to 2001. He had earlier worked for Merrill Lynch in Singapore, London and Sydney. Mr Key started his career in investment banking in GDP GROWTH: -1.6% p.a. the mid-1980s.

GNI PER CAPITA: He has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of US$27,950 Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. CURRENCY: New Zealand dollar Mr Key was born on 9 August 1961 in Auckland.

ECONOMY: Agriculture, livestock farming and tourism

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 32 Website: www.johnkey.co.nz NIGERIA

HE Mr Umaru Musa Yar’Adua PRESIDENT

HE Mr Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was sworn in as President of Nigeria on COMMONWEALTH 29 May 2007 following his victory in the April presidential election. MEMBERSHIP: 1960 Mr Yar’Adua of the People’s Democratic Party was formerly the INDEPENDENCE Governor of Katsina State from 1999 to 2007. He was a member of the DAY: 1989 Constitution Drafting Committee, which prepared the groundwork 1 October 1960 for the return to civil democratic governance. In 1990, Mr Yar’Adua took on the role of Secretary of both the now defunct People’s Front and the CAPITAL: Abuja Social Democratic Party in Katsina State. LAND AREA: Before his entry into politics, Mr Yar’Adua was a businessman as well as 924,000 sq km a lecturer at the Katsina Polytechnic. POPULATION: Mr Yar’Adua has a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the Ahmadu Bello 151 million University in Zaria and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the same institution. GDP GROWTH: 5.3% p.a. Mr Yar’Adua was born on 16 August 1951 in Katsina, Nigeria. GNI PER CAPITA: US$1,160

CURRENCY: Naira

ECONOMY: Oil and gas

STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.nigeriafirst.org 33 PAKISTAN

The Hon Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani took office as Prime Minister of MEMBERSHIP: Pakistan on 25 March 2008. 1947 From 1993 to 1997, he was Speaker of the National Assembly. Prior to INDEPENDENCE that Mr Gilani held the post of Minister for Local Government and Rural DAY: 14 August 1947 Development in 1993 during the interim government.

CAPITAL: In 1988, Mr Gilani joined the Pakistan People’s Party and served as Islamabad Federal Minister for Tourism, Housing and Works until 1990.

LAND AREA: Between 1985 and 1986, he served as Federal Minister for Housing and 796,100 sq km Works, and later took on the Railways portfolio.

POPULATION: Mr Gilani began his political career in 1978 as a member of the Central 166 million Working Committee of the Pakistan Muslim League.

GDP GROWTH: He has a Master’s degree in Journalism from Punjab University. 6.0% p.a. Mr Gilani was born on 9 June 1952 in Karachi. GNI PER CAPITA: US$980

CURRENCY: Pakistan rupee

ECONOMY: Agriculture and manufacturing

STATUS: Republic

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 34 Website: www.www.infopak.gov.pk PAPUA NEW GUINEA The Rt Hon Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare PRIME MINISTER

The Rt Hon Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is serving his fourth term in COMMONWEALTH office as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea following his victory in MEMBERSHIP: 1975 the July 2007 general election as Leader of the National Alliance Party. He took office earlier in 2002. INDEPENDENCE DAY: Sir Michael was the first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea following 16 September 1975 Independence, serving from 1975 to 1981, and again from 1982 to 1985. His first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Pati. CAPITAL: Port Moresby In between Sir Michael’s premiership, he was Leader of the Opposition LAND AREA: from 1981 to 1982, 1985 to 1987, and from 2001 to 2002. 463,000 sq km From 1999 to 2001, Sir Michael was Minister for Mining and POPULATION: Bougainville Affairs. He formed the National Alliance Party in 1996. 6.5 million

Sir Michael was elected to the House of Assembly in 1968 as a member GDP GROWTH: of the Pangu Pati which he had founded in 1967. He became the first 5.8% p.a. official Opposition Party Leader. Prior to entering politics, Sir Michael GNI PER CAPITA: was a broadcast officer and teacher. US$1,010

He was born on 9 April 1936 in Rabaul, East New Britain Province, CURRENCY: Papua New Guinea. Kina

ECONOMY: Agriculture, timber, mining (gold, copper, silver) and natural gas

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pm.gov.pg 35 ST KITTS AND NEVIS

The Hon Dr Denzil Llewellyn Douglas PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Dr Denzil Llewellyn Douglas is serving his third term in office MEMBERSHIP: as Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis following his success at the 1983 general election in October 2004. He was sworn in as the country’s INDEPENDENCE second Prime Minister in July 1995, and was re-elected in March 2000. DAY: 19 September 1983 Dr Douglas is also concurrently Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Sustainable Development, Information and Technology, Tourism, CAPITAL: Basseterre Culture and Sports. He is currently Chairperson of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean LAND AREA: 262 sq km States, and had earlier served as Chairperson of the Small States Forum of the World Bank in 2004. POPULATION: 50,000 Dr Douglas became Leader of the Labour Party in 1989 and Leader of the Opposition in the St Kitts and Nevis National Assembly. Dr Douglas GDP GROWTH: 9.7% p.a. was Deputy Chairperson of the Labour Party from 1987 to 1989.

GNI PER CAPITA: Before entering politics, Dr Douglas was in private medical practice and US$10,960 served as President of the St Kitts-Nevis Medical Association in the late 1980s. CURRENCY: Eastern Caribbean He has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, with qualifications in Medicine dollar and Surgery from the University of the West Indies.

ECONOMY: Dr Douglas was born on 14 January 1953 in St Paul’s, St Kitts. Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 36 Website: www.gov.kn ST LUCIA

The Hon Stephenson King PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Stephenson King was sworn in as Prime Minister of St Lucia on COMMONWEALTH 9 September 2007, succeeding the late Sir John Compton. Mr King had MEMBERSHIP: 1979 been Acting Prime Minister since May 2007 following Sir John’s illness. In a cabinet reshuffle in June 2007, he also took on the post of Minister INDEPENDENCE of Finance, External Affairs, Home Affairs, National Security, Labour, DAY: Information and Broadcasting. 22 February 1979

The Prime Minister is concurrently Minister for Finance, Economic CAPITAL: Castries Affairs and National Development. Before taking on the country’s leadership, Mr King served as Minister of Health and Labour Relations. LAND AREA: 620 sq km From 1997 to 2006, when the United Workers Party (UWP) was in Opposition, Mr King served in various capacities, including General POPULATION: 170,000 Secretary and Chairperson of the UWP.

From 1992 to 1997, he served in various portfolios, including Minister GDP GROWTH: 2.3% p.a. for Health, Local Government, Information and Broadcasting. GNI PER CAPITA: Mr King was first elected to Parliament in 1987 under the UWP ticket US$5,530 and was appointed Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs, Youth and Sport. CURRENCY: Eastern Caribbean He was a founding member and Chairperson of the Regional Political dollar Youth Organisation and the Caribbean Youth Conference from 1984 to ECONOMY: 1995. Agriculture and tourism Mr King was born on 13 November 1958 in Castries. STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pm.gov.lc 37 ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

The Hon Dr Ralph Everard Gonsalves PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Dr Ralph Everard Gonsalves is serving his second term as MEMBERSHIP: Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines after his Unity Labour 1979 Party (ULP) won re-election in the December 2005 polls. INDEPENDENCE Dr Gonsalves first took office in March 2001. He is concurrently Minister DAY: 27 October 1979 of Finance, Economic Planning, National Security, Legal Affairs, Grenadines Affairs and Energy. CAPITAL: Kingstown Dr Gonsalves was Leader of the Opposition from October 1999 until his election in March 2001. He has been Leader of the ULP since 1998 after LAND AREA: 390 sq km holding the post of Deputy Leader from 1994 to 1998. Between 1979 and 1994, he held leadership positions in the United People’s POPULATION: Movement and the Movement for National Unity. 120,000 Dr Gonsalves had practised law before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme GDP GROWTH: Court. He was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn, UK. He has a Doctorate in 1% p.a. Government from the University of Manchester, UK, as well as a GNI PER CAPITA: Master’s degree in Government from the University of the West Indies in US$5,140 Jamaica, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the same CURRENCY: university. Eastern Caribbean dollar Dr Gonsalves is the author of several books, including The Politics of Our Caribbean Civilisation: Essays and Speeches (2001), and History and ECONOMY: the Future: A Caribbean Perspective (1994). Agriculture and tourism Dr Gonsalves was born on 8 August 1946 in Colonarie, St Vincent.

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 38 Website: www.gov.vc SAMOA The Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sa’ilele Malielegaoi PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sa’ilele Malielegaoi is serving his third COMMONWEALTH term in office as Prime Minister of Samoa after his victory in the March MEMBERSHIP: 1970 2006 general election. He was earlier elected into office in the March 2001 general election. Mr Malielegaoi first became Prime Minister from INDEPENDENCE November 1998 to March 2001 when his predecessor, Tofilau Eti DAY: Alesana, stepped down. 1 January 1962

Mr Malielegaoi is concurrently holding the ministerial portfolios for CAPITAL: Apia Foreign Affairs, Police and Telecommunications. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1988 to 1998, and also held the concurrent LAND AREA: ministerial portfolios of Finance, Tourism, as well as Trade, Commerce 2,840 sq km and Industry. POPULATION: 186,000 Mr Malielegaoi has held other key appointments, including Chairperson of the Pacific Branch of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group GDP GROWTH: of States from 1988 to 2000, and Co-President of the ACP-European -3.4% p.a. Union Council of Ministers in 1990 and 1992. GNI PER CAPITA: Mr Malielegaoi held ministerial portfolios in Finance, Economic Affairs, US$2,780 Transport and Civil Aviation from 1982 to 1985. He became a Member CURRENCY: of Parliament in May 1981. Tala or Samoan dollar Before embarking on a political career, Mr Malielegaoi was Deputy Financial Secretary in the Treasury from 1973 to 1981. During this ECONOMY: Agriculture and period, he served in the ACP Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, as an fisheries expert on intra-ACP trade, transport and communications, from 1978 to 1980. Before joining the civil service, Mr Malielegaoi was a partner in STATUS: an accounting firm in Samoa. Republic

He has Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Commerce from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is also a certified public accountant. CHOGM 2009 Mr Malielegaoi was born on 14 April 1945 in Lepa, Samoa. Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.govt.ws 39 SEYCHELLES

HE Mr James Alix Michel PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr James Alix Michel is serving a second term in office as President MEMBERSHIP: of Seychelles after winning the July 2006 presidential election. He first 1976 took office in April 2004 following the retirement of his predecessor, INDEPENDENCE Mr Albert René. DAY: 29 June 1976 Mr Michel is concurrently Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Police, Legal Affairs and Information. He is also President of his ruling Parti CAPITAL: Lepep (People’s Party), which was renamed in June 2009 from what was Victoria known as the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF). LAND AREA: 460 sq km Mr Michel previously served as Vice-President of Seychelles from 1996 to April 2004, and also held ministerial portfolios for Defence, POPULATION: Education, Finance, Economic Planning, and Information Technology 90,000 and Communications. From 1993 to 1996, he was First Designated GDP GROWTH: Minister to discharge the Office of the President in the absence of the 2.8% p.a. Head of State.

GNI PER CAPITA: Mr Michel became Vice-Chairperson of the Seychelles International US$10,290 Business Authority in 1995 and has been Vice-Chairperson of the CURRENCY: Economic and Finance Inter-Ministerial Committee since 1993. Seychelles rupee He became a member of the National Economic Council in 1991. Mr Michel served as Secretary-General of the SPPF from 1994 to June ECONOMY: Fisheries and 2009. Prior to that, he held the post of Deputy Secretary-General from tourism 1984 to 1994. In 1978 he became a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the SPPF which replaced the Seychelles People’s STATUS: United Party where he was also a CEC member from 1974 to 1977. Republic with an executive president Mr Michel served in the Seychelles Defence Forces from 1977 to 1993, becoming Chief of Staff in 1979 before retiring as a Colonel. He joined the private sector after a brief period as a teacher. Mr Michel was educated in Seychelles and attended the Teacher Training College. CHOGM 2009 He was born on 16 August 1944 in Mahé, Seychelles. Trinidad & Tobago 40 Website: www.statehouse.gov.sc SIERRA LEONE

HE Mr Ernest Bai Koroma PRESIDENT

HE Mr Ernest Bai Koroma became President of Sierra Leone in COMMONWEALTH September 2007. He is the leader of the All People’s Congress party, MEMBERSHIP: which had previously ruled Sierra Leone from 1967 to 1992. Before 1961 becoming president, Mr Koroma was the minority leader in Parliament INDEPENDENCE from 2005 to August 2007. DAY: 27 April 1961 Before his entry into politics, Mr Koroma was an insurance executive, holding the post of managing director of the Reliance Insurance Trust CAPITAL: Freetown Corporation. Prior to this, he had worked for the National Insurance Company. Mr Koroma started his working career as a teacher at the St LAND AREA: Francis Secondary School in Makeni. 72,000 sq km

He is a graduate of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. POPULATION: 5.9 million Mr Koroma was born on 2 October 1953 in Makeni, Bombali district, Sierra Leone. GDP GROWTH: 5.1% p.a.

GNI PER CAPITA: US$320

CURRENCY: Leone

ECONOMY: Mining, agriculture and fisheries

STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.statehouse.gov.sl 41 SINGAPORE

The Hon Lee Hsien Loong PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Lee Hsien Loong is serving his second term in office as Prime MEMBERSHIP: Minister of Singapore following victory at the May 2006 general election. 1965 He first became Prime Minister in August 2004, while concurrently INDEPENDENCE serving as Minister for Finance, a post he was appointed to in 2001. DAY: He relinquished the Finance portfolio in 2007. 9 August 1965 From 1990 to 2004, Mr Lee was Deputy Prime Minister with CAPITAL: responsibilities for economic and civil service matters. In 1998 he was Singapore appointed Chairperson of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and he LAND AREA: served in the post until 2004. Mr Lee was Minister for Trade and Industry 699 sq km from 1987 to 1992. From 1987 to 1990, he held the concurrent post of POPULATION: Second Minister for Defence. Mr Lee had risen through the ranks from 4.8 million his first appointment as Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Defence from 1984 to 1987. GDP GROWTH: 1.1% p.a. Mr Lee became the Secretary-General of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in December 2004 after holding the post of First Assistant GNI PER CAPITA: US$34,760 Secretary-General since 1992. He was Second Assistant Secretary-General from 1989 to 1992. Mr Lee was elected to the PAP’s Central Executive CURRENCY: Committee in 1986 after becoming a Member of Parliament in 1984. Singapore dollar Before his entry into politics, Mr Lee was a Brigadier-General in the ECONOMY: Financial services, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). He joined the SAF in 1971 and held manufacturing, various staff and command posts. Mr Lee attended the US Army bio-technology and Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA, tourism in 1978. He was the first Director of the Joint Operations and Plans STATUS: Directorate, and Chief of Staff of the General Staff. Republic Mr Lee has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree (Hons, 1st class) in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge, UK. CHOGM 2009 Mr Lee was born on 10 February 1952. Trinidad & Tobago 42 Website: www.cabinet.gov.sg SOLOMON ISLANDS

The Hon Dr David Derek Sikua PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Dr David Derek Sikua took office as Prime Minister of COMMONWEALTH Solomon Islands on 20 December 2007. MEMBERSHIP: 1978 He became a member of the Opposition Liberal Party in INDEPENDENCE November 2007. DAY: Dr Sikua had previously served as Minister of Education and Human 7 July 1978 Resources Development in the cabinet of his predecessor Mr Manasseh CAPITAL: Sogavare from May 2006 to 10 November 2007. Honiara

Dr Sikua was elected to the National Parliament in April 2006. From LAND AREA: 2003 to 2005, he was Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education 28,900 sq km and Human Resources Development. He had earlier held the post of POPULATION: Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forests, Environment and 510,000 Conservation from 1997 to 1998. GDP GROWTH: Dr Sikua was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and 7.4% p.a. Human Resources Development from 1994 to 1997, after serving as GNI PER CAPITA: Under-Secretary from 1993. Prior to this he was a senior official in the US$1,180 Ministry after having worked for a brief period as a teacher. CURRENCY: Dr Sikua has a Doctorate in Education from the University of Waikato, Solomon Islands Hamilton, New Zealand, and a Master’s degree in Education from dollar Monash University, Victoria, Australia. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree ECONOMY: in Education from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, Agriculture, fisheries and a Diploma in Education from the University of the South Pacific in and forestry Suva, Fiji Islands. STATUS: Dr Sikua was born on 10 September 1959 in Ngalitavethi Village, Constitutional monarchy under HM Guadacanal Province. Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pmc.gov.sb 43 SOUTH AFRICA

HE Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma took office as President of MEMBERSHIP: South Africa on 9 May 2009. 1931 He is also President of the African National Congress (ANC) since taking NATIONAL DAY: over its leadership in December 2007. Mr Zuma had earlier served as 27 April Deputy President of South Africa from 1999 to 2005. He was Deputy CAPITAL: President of the ANC in 1997 after serving as both Chairperson of the Tshwane ANC, as well as Chairperson of its KwaZulu-Natal branch in 1994. LAND AREA: During the period from 1994 to 1997, Mr Zuma also served in the 1.2 million sq km Executive Committee of Economic Affairs and Tourism for the provincial government. In 1991, he was elected ANC Deputy Secretary-General. POPULATION: 48.7 million Mr Zuma was one of the first ANC leaders to return to South Africa in GDP GROWTH: 1990 following the removal of the ban on the ANC, to begin the process 3.1% p.a. of negotiation with the ruling F W de Klerk government. In the same year, Mr Zuma was elected Chairperson of the ANC’s Southern Natal GNI PER CAPITA: branch and he led the party towards a number of peace accords with US$5,820 the rival Inkatha Freedom Party. CURRENCY: Rand From 1975 to 1987, Mr Zuma was actively involved in working for the ANC branches in Swaziland and Mozambique. He became a member of ECONOMY: the National Executive Committee in 1977, and served as Deputy Chief Agriculture, mining and tourism Representative and later Chief Representative of the ANC in Mozambique until 1984. Mr Zuma also served on the ANC’s Military and STATUS: Political Committees, and was Chief of Intelligence at the ANC head Republic with an office in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1987. executive president Between 1974 and 1975, he helped to re-establish ANC underground structures in the then Natal province. Mr Zuma first joined the ANC in 1958 and became a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the military wing of the ANC, in 1962. CHOGM 2009 Mr Zuma was born on 12 April 1942 in Inkandla, KwaZulu-Natal. Trinidad & Tobago 44 Website: www.thepresidency.gov.za SRI LANKA

HE Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa PRESIDENT

HE Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn into office as the fifth President COMMONWEALTH of Sri Lanka on 19 November 2005. MEMBERSHIP: 1948 Mr Rajapaksa is Chair of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance INDEPENDENCE led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). DAY: He had previously served as Prime Minister from April 2004 to 4 February 1948 November 2005 in the government of President Chandrika CAPITAL: Kumaratunga. At the time, Mr Rajapaksa held the concurrent post of Colombo Minister of Highways. LAND AREA: Mr Rajapaksa was Leader of the Opposition from March 2002 to 2004. 65,610 sq km From 1994 to 2001, Mr Rajapaksa served as Minister of Labour and POPULATION: Vocational Training; Fisheries; and Ports and Shipping. 20.1 million

Along with his political career, Mr Rajapaksa had practised law in the GDP GROWTH: southern town of Tangalle from 1977 to 1994 until his ministerial 6.0% p.a. appointment in 1994. GNI PER CAPITA: Mr Rajapaksa entered politics in 1970 as a Member of Parliament of US$1,780 the SLFP. He lost his Parliamentary seat in 1977 during the landslide CURRENCY: victory of the United National Party, but was re-elected in the general Sri Lanka rupee election in 1989. Mr Rajapaksa held this position until his appointment ECONOMY: as Sri Lanka’s President in 2005. He was elected SLFP President in June Agriculture, jewellery 2006. and textiles

Mr Rajapaksa qualified as Attorney-at-Law in 1977 after graduating STATUS: from the Colombo Law College. Republic with an executive president Mr Rajapaksa was born on 18 November 1945 in Weeraketiya, Sri Lanka.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.president.gov.lk 45 SWAZILAND

The Hon Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini was reappointed Prime Minister MEMBERSHIP: of Swaziland by HM King Mswati III in October 2008. 1968 Dr Dlamini had previously served in the post from 1996 to 2003, before INDEPENDENCE becoming a member of the King’s advisory council from 2003. DAY: 6 September 1968 He had earlier served as Minister of Finance from 1984 to 1993.

CAPITAL: Dr Dlamini was born on 15 May 1942. Mbabane

LAND AREA: 17,360 sq km

POPULATION: 1.1 million

GDP GROWTH: 2.5% p.a.

GNI PER CAPITA: US$2,520

CURRENCY: Lilangeni

ECONOMY: Agriculture and manufacturing

STATUS: National monarchy

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 46 Website: www.gov.sz TONGA

The Hon Dr Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Dr Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele was appointed as the 14th Prime COMMONWEALTH Minister of Tonga on 30 March 2006 by the late HM King Taufa’ahau MEMBERSHIP: 1970 Tupou IV, becoming the first commoner to assume the post. INDEPENDENCE Dr Sevele had earlier been appointed Acting Prime Minister on DAY: 11 February 2006 following the resignation of HRH Prince ’Ulukalala 4 June 1970 Lavaka Ata. CAPITAL: Dr Sevele held the post of Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries Nuku’alofa before taking office as prime minister. He was elected as a People’s LAND AREA: Representative to the Parliament of Tonga in 1999, and re-elected in 750 sq km 2002 and 2005. POPULATION: He was also director of Tonga Oil Mill, director of Tonga Pacific 102,000 Navigation Company and a member of the Tongan National Scholarship Committee. Dr Sevele had also served as Secretary-General GDP GROWTH: 1.2% p.a. of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association and the National Olympic Committee. Prior to that, he was chairperson of the Tongan Amateur GNI PER CAPITA: Sports Association and the Tonga Rugby Union. US$2,560

Dr Sevele was formerly an Asian Development Bank consultant to the CURRENCY: Pa’anga or Central Planning Department, Government of Tonga; a resident Tongan dollar consultant and adviser to the ANZ Bank; chief economist for the South Pacific Commission; chief executive and director of the Commodities ECONOMY: Agriculture, fisheries Board of Tonga; and a member of the Council of the University of the and tourism South Pacific. STATUS: Dr Sevele obtained his Doctorate in Development Economics from the National University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, under a monarchy Commonwealth scholarship. Dr Sevele also has a Master’s degree, and Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Economic Geography from the same university. CHOGM 2009 Dr Sevele was born on 7 July 1944 in Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa. Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.pmo.gov.to 47 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The Hon Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning PRIME MINISTER

COMMONWEALTH The Hon Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning was re-elected Prime MEMBERSHIP: Minister of Trinidad and Tobago in the November 2007 general 1962 election. He had earlier served a five-year term as Prime Minister from INDEPENDENCE October 2002. Mr Manning first took office from 1991 to 1995 and from DAY: 2001 to 2002. 31 August 1962 Mr Manning was Leader of the Opposition from 1995 to 2001, and from CAPITAL: 1986 to 1990. He was elected Leader of the People’s National Port of Spain Movement (PNM) in 1986. LAND AREA: 5,130 sq km From 1981 to 1985, Mr Manning was Minister of Industry and Commerce, Information, Energy and Natural Resources. From 1978 to POPULATION: 1981, he was Minister in the Ministry of Finance. 1.3 million Mr Manning became a Member of Parliament in 1971 under the PNM GDP GROWTH: ticket and became Parliamentary Secretary in various ministries, 3.4% p.a. including Petroleum and Mines (1971 to 1973), Planning and GNI PER CAPITA: Development (1973 to 1974), Industry and Commerce (1974 to 1976) US$16,540 and Works, Transport and Communications (1976 to 1978).

CURRENCY: Mr Manning has a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Trinidad and Tobago dollar the West Indies, Jamaica. He was born on 17 August 1946 in San Fernando, Trinidad. ECONOMY: Agriculture, oil and gas, and tourism

STATUS: Republic

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 48 Website: www.opm.gov.tt TUVALU

The Hon Apisai Ielemia PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Apisai Ielemia was sworn in as Prime Minister of Tuvalu COMMONWEALTH on 14 August 2006 following his victory in the general election on MEMBERSHIP: 1978 3 August. INDEPENDENCE He is concurrently Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour. DAY: 1 October 1978

CAPITAL: Funafuti

LAND AREA: 26 sq km

POPULATION: 11,000

GDP GROWTH: 2% p.a.

GNI PER CAPITA: US$1,400

CURRENCY: Australian dollar

ECONOMY: Agriculture and fisheries

STATUS: Constitutional monarchy under HM Queen Elizabeth II

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.tuvaluislands.com 49 UGANDA

HE Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was re-elected as President of Uganda MEMBERSHIP: in February 2006. He first became President in January 1986 and was 1962 the first directly elected President of Uganda in the 1996 election. INDEPENDENCE He was re-elected in 2001. DAY: 9 October 1962 He is Chair of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which he co-founded in 1981. CAPITAL: Kampala Mr Museveni had served briefly as Minister of Defence, Minister of Regional Co-operation and Vice-Chair of the Military Commission in LAND AREA: 241,000 sq km previous administrations. He and several others formed the NRM and the National Resistance POPULATION: 31.6 million Army (NRA) in the early 1980s. The NRA has evolved into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces today. Mr Museveni was also instrumental in GDP GROWTH: forming the Front for National Salvation, one of the core Ugandan 6.6% p.a. guerrilla groups involved in a liberation struggle in the 1970s. GNI PER CAPITA: US$420 Mr Museveni has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania. CURRENCY: Uganda shilling He was born in 1944 in Ntungamo, Uganda.

ECONOMY: Agriculture and mining

STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 50 Website: www.statehouse.go.ug UNITED KINGDOM

The Rt Hon Gordon Brown PRIME MINISTER

The Rt Hon Gordon Brown became Prime Minister on 27 June 2007 CAPITAL: after becoming leader of the Labour Party. London

Mr Brown was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1997 to June 2007. He LAND AREA: was Shadow Chancellor from 1992 to 1997; Shadow Trade and Industry 243,600 sq km spokesperson from 1989 to 1992; Shadow Chief Secretary to the POPULATION: Treasury from 1987 to 1989; and Opposition Spokesperson for Trade 61.4 million and Industry from 1985 to 1987. GDP GROWTH: Mr Brown became a Member of Parliament in 1983 and Chair of the 0.7% p.a. Labour Party’s Scottish Council. GNI PER CAPITA: US$45,390 He worked as a journalist for Scottish TV from 1980 to 1983. Before that, from 1976 to 1980, Mr Brown lectured at the University of CURRENCY: Edinburgh and Caledonian University. He served as Rector of the Pound sterling University of Edinburgh from 1972 to 1975. ECONOMY: Mr Brown has a Doctorate in History from the University of Edinburgh, Financial services, manufacturing and Scotland, United Kingdom. tourism

He has authored several books, including a biography of the STATUS: Independent Labour Party politician, James Maxton, titled Maxton: A Constitutional Biography (1986); Values, Visions and Voices: An Anthology of Socialism monarchy under HM (1995); and Scotland: The Real Divide (1987), which was co-written with Queen Elizabeth II the late Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. More recently, a collection of Mr Brown’s speeches has been published as Moving Britain Forward ; as well as Courage – Eight Portraits (2007), which looks at eight of his heroes and the influence they have had.

Mr Brown was born on 20 February 1951 in Glasgow, Scotland.

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.number10.gov.uk 51 UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

HE Mr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was sworn in as the fourth President of MEMBERSHIP: the United Republic of Tanzania on 21 December 2005 following victory 1961 in the presidential and parliamentary elections held on 14 December. INDEPENDENCE On 26 June 2006, he was elected Chairperson of the ruling Chama Cha DAY: 9 December 1961 Mapinduzi (Party of the Revolution).

CAPITAL: Before becoming president, Mr Kikwete served as Minister of Foreign Dar es Salaam Affairs and International Co-operation from 1995 to 2005. He was Minister of Finance from 1994 to 1995; and Minister of Water, LAND AREA: 945,000 sq km Energy and Minerals from 1990 to 1994. Mr Kikwete was nominated as a Member of Parliament in 1988 and POPULATION: 42.4 million held the post of Deputy Minister of Energy from 1988 to 1990.

GDP GROWTH: He attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1991 after serving in the 7.5% p.a. military in 1972 as a Lieutenant. During this period, Mr Kikwete received training at the Monduli Military Officers’ College in 1983 and GNI PER CAPITA: US$440 was promoted to Major and Chief Political Instructor of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force in 1984. CURRENCY: Tanzanian shilling Mr Kikwete has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam. ECONOMY: Agriculture and He was born on 7 October 1950 in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, United mining Republic of Tanzania. STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 52 Website: www.tanzania.go.tz VANUATU

The Hon Edward Nipake Natapei PRIME MINISTER

The Hon Edward Nipake Natapei took office as Prime Minister of COMMONWEALTH Vanuatu in September 2008 following the victory of the Vanua’aku Pati MEMBERSHIP: 1980 at the 2 September general election. He previously served as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2004. INDEPENDENCE DAY: Mr Natapei is concurrently Minister of Public Service. 30 July 1980

He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Utilities CAPITAL: from 2007 to August 2008 during the Ham Lini administration. From Port Vila 2005 to 2007 Mr Natapei was Minister for Infrastructure and Public LAND AREA: Utilities. 12,200 sq km He was Leader of the Opposition in 2000 after being elected Leader of POPULATION: Vanua’aku Pati in 1999. Mr Natapei was Acting President for a brief 230,000 period from 2 to 24 March 1999. He was Speaker of Parliament from 1996 to 1999, and was briefly Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1991. GDP GROWTH: 5.5% p.a. Mr Natapei was first elected to Parliament in 1983. Prior to that, he was GNI PER CAPITA: First Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Commerce, Industry and Tourism in US$2,330 1982. CURRENCY: Mr Natapei is a graduate of the Fiji Institute of Technology, Suva, Vatu Fiji Islands. ECONOMY: He was born on 17 July 1954. Agriculture and livestock farming

STATUS: Republic

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago Website: www.vanuatugovernment.gov.vu 53 ZAMBIA

HE Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda PRESIDENT

COMMONWEALTH HE Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda was voted into office in the October 2008 MEMBERSHIP: presidential by-election on the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy 1964 ticket. INDEPENDENCE He was appointed Vice-President in 2006 in the DAY: 24 October 1964 administration and took on the latter’s duties when President Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in June 2008. Mr Mwanawasa died in CAPITAL: August 2008. Lusaka Mr Banda was elected to Parliament in 1978 as a United National LAND AREA: 752,600 sq km Independence Party (UNIP) representative, and was re-elected in 1983. He was previously Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1975 to 1976, and POPULATION: 12.6 million also served as Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Ambassador to the USA and Egypt. GDP GROWTH: 6% p.a. Before taking on a diplomatic career, Mr Banda was Chief Executive of the National Agriculture Marketing Board and the Rural Development GNI PER CAPITA: US$950 Corporation.

CURRENCY: He joined the UNIP in 1963. Kwacha Mr Banda has a Bachelor’s degree in Economic History from Lund ECONOMY: University, Sweden. Agriculture and mining He was born on 19 February 1937.

STATUS: Republic with an executive president

CHOGM 2009 Trinidad & Tobago 54 Website: www.statehouse.gov.zm CHOGM 2009 TRINIDAD & T OBAGO COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT

Communications and Public Affairs Division Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/86 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081 Email: [email protected] Web: www.thecommonwealth.org

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