What is the EPG?

The Eminent Persons Group was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their summit in November 2009.

In the 'Affirmation of Commonwealth Principles' agreed at their 2009 meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Commonwealth leaders called for the “creation of an Eminent Persons Group to undertake an examination of options for reform in order to bring the Commonwealth’s many institutions into a stronger and more effective framework of co-operation and partnership.”

The Group is also tasked with looking at the format, frequency, and content of Commonwealth ministerial meetings.

The Group met at Marlborough House, London, from 19 to 20 July 2010 and from 24th to 26th October 2010. It is scheduled to meet again in January 2010 and March 2011 before reporting to leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to take place in Perth in October 2011.

The Group’s goals are to sharpen the impact, strengthen the networks, and raise the profile of the Commonwealth.