Tackling climate change expected to top CHOGM summit agenda

Queen Elizabeth in her role as the Head of State of the United Kingdom, opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Trinidad and Tobago. Tackling climate change is expected to top the agenda.

Trinidad & Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (L) and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II pose during the family picture after the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Leaders of the Commonwealth's two billion people and the UN chief joined Friday to push for a deal at upcoming climate talks to save the planet from catastrophic global warming.(AFP/Luis Acosta)

Leaders of the 53-nation group say they will not negotiate the details of a climate treaty, but will try to work out a statement that reflects a large segment of world opinion. The Commonwealth is regarded as a unique forum for establishing consensus on issues, due to its make up of developed industrial states like Britain, Canada and Australia and emerging economic giants like India. The Commonwealth, established in 1949, is made up almost entirely of former British colonies. The group seeks to promote good government and education.