Queen Elizabeth II sits at a gala dinner during the CHOGM Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Attard, Malta, Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.
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The Queen talks to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be leading the Malaysian delegation to CHOGM, which is a biennial meeting.
The Queen spoke of her pride of what the Commonwealth has achieved so far with specific mention of Prince Philip who continues to work with “boundless energy and commitment”.
Dr Muscat emerged from a lengthy meeting of leaders late in the afternoon to announce former Blair government attorney general, Patricia Scotland, has been chosen as the Commonwealth’s first female secretary general.
Addressing the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta Friday, President Sirisena said the progress was made in areas such as eradication of poverty, promotion of trade, sustainable development, youth involvement in development activities, growth, equality and dignity of the citizens.
In what sounded like valedictory remarks, the Queen said she has cherished her time as leader of the Commonwealth, a role she has held for more than 60 years.
Heavy security is in place on Malta, with armed soldiers and police on patrol and warships prominently on guard in the harbours.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stated that for sustainable peace, Pakistan is ready for dialogue with India without preconditions.
Climate change is high on the agenda, but the fight against violent extremism is also expected to be a key point of discussion in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
The 89-year-old British monarch has flown to the Mediterranean island of Malta, where she once lived as a young princess, for a summit of the Commonwealth, the post-colonial global alliance she has helped for decades to unite.
Queen Elizabeth has not travelled outside of Europe since 2011, when she and Prince Philip toured Australia before the CHOGM held in Perth.
The Queen, who is accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, will host a reception for new Commonwealth leaders.
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With the COP21 United Nations climate change talks due to begin in Paris on Monday, she identified fighting “the existential threat” of global warming as one of the Commonwealth’s biggest challenges.
