Malaysia has been appointed to host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2020, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The deputy prime minister said the appointment was in recognition of Malaysia’s significant role as a member of the Commonwealth for the past 50 years.

“Malaysia has been appointed to host the CHOGM in 2020, 31 years after hosting the meeting," he told Malaysian reporters in Valetta after attending the closing ceremony of the CHOGM 2015 in Malta today.

Ahmad Zahid, who led the Malaysian delegation for the CHOGM 2015, said the United Kingdom would host the meeting in 2018.

Throughout the meeting in Valetta, Commonwealth leaders addressed global issues such as climate change, building resilience in small states, trade and sustainable development, the empowerment of youth, and fight against corruption and terrorism.

Ahmad Zahid said climate change which has mainly affected 31 Commonwealth member states was among the major focus in the summit.

“Small island Commonwealth states are anticipated to be submerged in the near future due to global warming that had raised the sea level.”

He said a paper had been presented to the cabinet to affirm Malaysia’s commitment towards reducing climate change, which outlined efforts in environmental conservation, minimisation of deforestation, and renewable energy advocacy and other approaches.

“We will play an important role in helping to reduce global climate change,” he said.

At the same press conference, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said Malaysia had also urged developed Commonwealth states to provide financial resources to developing state members.

“Developed nations should also be held responsible for the climate change as they are the one who consumed the natural resources,” he said.

On the Commonwealth Youth Council secretariat’s relocation to Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Zahid said he had discussed the matter with Anifah and would forward it to the cabinet for approval as well as to seek an allocation for it.

He would also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on the issue.

- Bernama