London: Pushing forward their plank for reforms in international institutions, 12 Commonwealth heads of governments would meet in June to lobby for realignment of institutions, including the United Nations and the World Bank, to reflect the interests of developing countries.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma has convened from June 9 a two-day meeting of the 12 heads of governments drawn from all five continents where the Commonwealth is present. "This is a rare and hugely significant gathering of Commonwealth leaders. Some of today s key international institutions, established more than half a century ago, are not aligned to the way the world has changed," Sharma said today.

The meeting will focus on practical steps which Commonwealth member states can take to achieve the reform and coherence of global institutions. Its three-party focus will be on the international financial institutions, global environmental governance, and the UN system.

The meeting is the first step in implementing the decision of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at which leaders decided to establish a small representative group from their 54-member association, to undertake advocacy for the reform of institutions.

"These bodies need to reflect the interests of the whole membership, especially those small developing states, as championed by the Commonwealth, whose voice is often not heard in international councils," Sharma said.

Source : PTI