"Both government and business are reassessing and redefining their approach to sustainable development," Dr Kaul states. "This conference, which is outcomes-driven, will build on the Johannesburg Summit. The practical proposals that come out of the Forum will help provide the policy framework for making globalisation work - for all the world's peoples."

Over 700 people are arriving today for the Forum. Among the delegates will be eight Heads of Government, Ministers from throughout the Commonwealth, senior members of multilateral organisations and business leaders from throughout the world.

The theme for the Forum is 'Achieving Sustainable Development - Challenges for Business and Governments'. The Forum will address all aspects of sustainable development as they relate to specific business sectors and economies. Its conclusions will form the basis of a framework for corporate citizenship, which will be presented for endorsement at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting commencing in Abuja on 5th December.
President Olusegun Obasanjo will address the opening session of the Business Forum on Tuesday 2 December. He will also take the opportunity to launch the Sustainable Showcase, a live media platform at the heart of the Forum that will profile what business is doing in support of sustainable development throughout the world: www.sustainableshowcase.net

The Forum has been organised by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bringing together business and government leaders from around the world to discuss practical ways to enhance trade and investment in the world's second largest trading bloc, the Commonwealth Business Forum is an unparalleled major international business event. This year's Forum will build on successful dialogues held at previous events, and break new ground by articulating private sector views on how to make globalisation work in a way that balances economic advance with social accountability.

Nine major private sector companies are joining the Commonwealth Business Forum as corporate partners. The sponsors include Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, Econet Wireless, MTN, First Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Diamondbank, Guinness and Coscharis Group Ltd.

For further information or media accreditation, contact:

In Nigeria:
Dayo Idowu
cmc@alpha.linkserve.com
0803 473 6932

Toby Orr
tobyorr@hotmail.com
0803 506 2403

Internationally:
Robert Watkinson
rwatkinson@africapractice.com
Direct Line: +44 (0)20 7024 8271
Mobile: +44 (0)7984 433486

Note to Editors

1) Confirmed heads of government at the Commonwealth Business Forum include: HE Mr Festus G Mogae, President of Botswana; The Rt Hon Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada; HE Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique; HE Sam Nujoma, President of Namibia; HE Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria; HE Tejan Kabbah, President of Sierra Leone; HE Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and HE Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, President of Zambia.

2) Confirmed private sector speakers at the Commonwealth Business Forum include: The Rt Hon The Earl Cairns, Chairman, CDC Capital Partners UK; Baroness Lynda Chalker, Advisory Director, Unilver plc; Mr Bjorn Stigson, CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development; Mr Pascal Dozie, Chairman, Diamondbank Nigeria; Mr Hugh Morgan, CEO First Charmock Australia; Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairman, Millennium Consolidated Investments South Africa; Mr André Parker, Managing Director SAB Miller Africa and Asia; Mr Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Econet Wireless Nigeria; Mr Peter Sullivan, CEO Africa, Standard Chartered Bank; Mr Stuart Brocklehurst, Senior President, Visa International; Ms Georgina Evans, Vice-President GlaxoSmithKline PLC, UK; Mr Chris Finlayson, Chief Executive Officer, Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, Nigeria; Mr Keith Richards, Managing Director, Guinness, Nigeria; Mr Godwin Oboh, Managing Director, Union Bank, Nigeria; Mr Jim Ovia, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Zenith Bank ltd, Nigeria; Mr Nick Hales, Managing Director, British American Tobacco, Nigeria; Mr Jacobs Ajekigbe, Managing Director, First Bank, Nigeria; Mr Adrian Wood, Chief Executive MTN, Nigeria and Mr Khaya Ngqula, President/CEO, IDC, South Africa.

3) Full programme details

4) The event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Ladi Kwali Way, Maitama, PMB 143

Monday 1 December 2.00pm - 7.00pm: Registration
Tuesday 2 December 9.00am - Programme begins