Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting opens in Perth, Australia 

Queen Elizabeth II

Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting opens in Perth, Australia 
Uche Aneke, Australia

The British Monarch and Head of Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, has challenged leaders of member nations to rise up to the fresh treat of insecurity, terrorist activities and violence engulfing the world.

At a ceremony on Friday, to mark the opening of the 21st meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Perth, Australia, the Queen also decried the level of uncertainty in global finance.

She urged leaders of member nations to give the highest budgetary priority to issues of food supply, climate change and trade and development.

Queen Elizabeth II thanked the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group for their work, which recommended a number of reforms to the Commonwealth.

The Queen said she looked forward to receiving the outcome of discussions and recommendations from the Commonwealth Heads of Government.

The meeting is being attended by Nigeria ’s President, Good luck Jonathan and nineteen other African heads of government, among the fifty-four member nations of the Commonwealth.

Changes to UK royal succession

Meanwhile, Commonwealth leaders have agreed to change the United Kingdom 's succession laws, to give a first-born daughter equal right to the royal throne.

Leaders of 16 Commonwealth countries unanimously approved the change, in addition to the right of British monarchs to marry Roman-Catholics.

Over the next three days, the Heads of Government will be discussing the future of the multi-facetted Commonwealth of nations.

Uche Iheanacho additional Editing: Hajia Sani