By Paras Ramoutar
Port-of-Spain, Nov 24 (IANS) The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here will “lead the way” for the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen next month, according to Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

CHOGM can overcome the pessimism surrounding the Copenhagen conference, Manning said at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth People’s Forum Sunday evening.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected here with his delegation Thursday.

“Fortuitously our meeting in a few days is the last major gathering of world leaders before the meeting in Copenhagen, about which there is some pessimism regarding any significant result,” he said.

Manning said that six million children die of hunger every year, 17,000 every day and much of this tragedy and trauma is taking place in the Commonwealth, as he called on world governments to grow more food and tackle climate change.

“Therefore, it would be disastrous for everyone if we are not able to advance at Copenhagen in Denmark the process towards a realistic, fair and legally-enforceable agreement for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” he said.

Manning said that the Commonwealth with its diversity is a microcosm of humanity and reflects diverse positions on climate change. “We are therefore in a very good position to lead the way forward on this matter.”

Indian-born Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said that the People’s Forum contains the voice of the people that must be heard. Civil society is just one leg of a three-legged stool comprising society, government and business. “All three need each other,” Sharma said.

He added that the global downturn had hit civil society groups by reducing donations. Civil society, he said, acts both to protest, cajole, criticise and provides accountability, but can also advise, support and partner.

Commonwealth Foundation Chairperson Simone de Comarmond said that with the global financial crisis those people who were vulnerable are now worse hit.

Commonwealth prime ministers, presidents and others will arrive in Trinidad Thursday for the 51-nation CHOGM.