1 Aug 2008

Commonwealth chief to make Asia-Pacific tour

6:07 pm on 1 August 2008

The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, will make his first official tour of the Asia-Pacific region next month.

Mr Sharma took office as head of the 53-nation Commonwealth on 1 April. He will visit New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Mr Sharma will also go to Niue to attend the 39th Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit.

He will also attend the fourth meeting of Commonwealth sports ministers in Beijing.