KEY POINTS:
Pressuring Pakistan to lift emergency rule and the issue of climate change are likely to dominate discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Uganda tomorrow, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
Miss Clark today flew out of Singapore, where she has been attending the East Asia Summit, for Chogm.
She said Pakistan, which had seen mass arrests since President Pervez Musharraf placed the country under emergency rule on November 3, would be a hot topic.
A set of five key demands were laid down by a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group at a meeting in London earlier this month, along with a threat to suspend Pakistan if it failed to comply.
President Musharraf this week ordered the release of 3400 political prisoners and announced a January date for elections - two steps the group had called for.
But Miss Clark said it was likely leaders at Chogm would push for more action to ensure the upcoming elections were free and fair.
"There are still some issues ... Senior judges have been sacked. There are a lot of restrictions on liberty in Pakistan, so my feeling is the Commonwealth summit is likely to say ... what about all these other issues that stand in the way of Pakistani democracy being able to develop?"
A statement on Fiji and the need to return to democracy was also likely.
Climate change is also on the agenda with delegates expected to discuss setting targets aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions - possibly leading to a declaration on the topic.
Miss Clark said that would be an important step to build momentum towards the United Nations summit on climate change in Bali next month.
That momentum was given a boost by East Asia Summit leaders - including India and China - who yesterday signed an aspirational agreement committing them to work towards long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in forest cover.
Thousands of delegates, officials and journalists will attend the Commonwealth summit, which has cost Uganda more than $130 million to organise.
This year's meeting also marks the first time the Queen has visited Uganda since 1953. Queen Elizabeth received a rapturous welcome when she touched down in the African state today.
Her son, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, will also be in Uganda for the summit.
- NZPA
