| 2nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting | |
|---|---|
| Host country |  Canada |
| Dates | 2–10 August 1973 |
| Cities | Ottawa |
| Venues | Mont-Tremblant |
| Participants | 33 (of 33 members) |
| Heads of State or Government | 24 |
| Chair | Pierre Trudeau (Prime Minister) |
| Follows | 1971 |
| Precedes | 1975 |
| Key points | |
Commonwealth Youth Programme Nuclear weapons testing Rhodesia International trade European Economic Community relations with the developing world | |
The1973 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, officially known as theII Commonwealth Heads Meeting, and commonly known asOttawa 1973, was the secondMeeting of theHeads of Government of theCommonwealth of Nations. It was held from 2 to 10 August 1973 inOttawa, hosted byPrime MinisterPierre Trudeau. It was the first CHOGM to be attended by theHead of the Commonwealth,Elizabeth II.
The summit issued a Statement on Nuclear Weapon Tests that affirmed "the unfailing support of Commonwealth governments for the international Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water. It appeals, furthermore, to the international community for a total ban on nuclear weapon tests in any environment."[1] Also discussed were changing relationships amongUnited States, theSoviet Union and thePeople's Republic of China, regional security, disarmament, the situation in theMiddle East andSouth East Asia (i.e., theVietnam War), the proposed creation of a peace zone in theIndian Ocean and the situation in Southern Africa and in particularRhodesia'swhite minority rule government. Also discussed was the desirability of a worldwide expansion of trade through theGeneral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and negotiations between theEuropean Economic Community and developing countries.[2]
Besides the policy topics discussed, the CHOGM saw a number of incidental, but lasting, innovations that helped define the work of the Commonwealth. The leaders held a private session inMont-Tremblant, beginning the tradition of the 'retreat', whereby, in addition to the executive sessions, the heads of government leave the host city, taking only their spouses and one advisor each, to be isolated from outside influences and to discuss on less formal terms.[3]
TheCommonwealth flag emerged frompennants that were designed to be displayed on the leaders' cars in Ottawa. Designed by Trudeau andCommonwealth Secretary-GeneralArnold Smith (a fellow Canadian), the flag was officially adopted three years later, on 26 March 1976.[4] Although theRoyal Commonwealth Society petitioned the CHOGM to discuss creating a uniformly-observedCommonwealth Day, this would eventually be discussed, at the proposal of the Canadian delegation, at the1975 Meeting, and the Canadian proposals adopted.[5]
Queen Elizabeth did not attend the first CHOGM conference in 1971, and wasadvised against attending the 1973 conference by British prime ministerEdward Heath.[6] Elizabeth II did attend the 1973 conference on the advice of Prime Minister Trudeau. She would attend all subsequent CHOGMs until absenting herself in 2013 when she began to refrain from long distance travel.
This was the first meeting in whichThe Bahamas andBangladesh Participated.
The following nations were represented:[7]
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