Queen Elizabeth II to open Commonwealth meeting on Malta; climate change

Britain will host the next Commonwealth summit, in 2018, Downing Street announced today, meaning the current gathering in Malta may not be the last attended in person by Queen Elizabeth II.

She lived in Malta between 1949 and 1951 as a newlywed princess, as Prince Philip was stationed on the island as a British naval officer.

Queen Elizabeth II declared opened the 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta on Friday alongside a colorful ceremony attended by world leaders, gathered for pressing talks on number topics. In addition, a new Secretary-General of the Organization was expected to elect.

The queen paid tribute to Philip, praising his "boundless energy and commitment" to the Commonwealth, and to Prince Charles and his wife Camilla who also came to the conference.

She said that after more than 60 years as head of the Commonwealth "I feel enormously proud of what the Commonwealth has achieved". She said Commonwealth nations would continue to be called on to demonstrate leadership in global issues. The President pointed out the issues such as sustainability development greatly emphasized during the CHOGM in Colombo in 2013, have been raised subsequently in the United Nations, thus combining the commonwealth endeavor in this regard.

However, her speech at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Friday was interpreted in the British media as an endorsement of her son to succeed her as Commonwealth chief too.

Baroness Scotland, who was nominated by her birth-country Dominica, edged out career diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders, who was proposed by Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Botswana's Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, the deputy secretary general of the commonwealth secretariat.

The first dance performance was by young people in animal costumes, with Australia represented by a kangaroo.

The Queen and the Duke will be greeted by Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at the airport and will then receive a ceremonial welcome, attended by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Heavy security is in place on Malta, with armed soldiers and police on patrol and warships prominently on guard in the harbors.

Addressing Commonwealth summit on Climate Change in Valletta Prime Minister said climate change poses a serious threat to human life in the world.