PORT OF SPAIN, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) - The 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will hold from Nov.27-29 in Port of Spain, the capital of Caribbean island nation Trinidad and Tobago. The following are the basic facts about CHOGM.

    The CHOGM is every two years held in a different member state in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, and is chaired by that nation's prime minister or president.

    The 2009 meeting features an appearance by Queen Elizabeth II, who is the Head of the Commonwealth. The last meeting saw Elizabeth's son, Prince Charles, representing her.

    From 1944 until 1971, the meetings were known as Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conferences and were generally held in London, although the Commonwealth leaders met in Lagos in 1966.

    The first CHOGM was held in January 1971 in Singapore, where the Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed on a set of ideals which are embraced by all members and provide a basis for peace, understanding and goodwill among all nations and people. Since then, CHOGMs have taken place on a biennial basis.

    CHOGMs have attempted to orchestrate common policies on contentious issues and current events, with a special focus on issues affecting member nations.

    Meetings of associated committees usually take place in the weeks preceding the CHOGM. These include the Committee of the Whole, which consists of senior officials. The Commonwealth Ministers' Action Group on the Harare Declaration and the Ministerial Group on Small States may also meet. Their recommendations are considered at CHOGM.

    Parallel special events involving non-government organizations, business and youth now coincide with each CHOGM. Action plans are developed at these events to complement official Commonwealth statements.

    The last CHOGM took place in 2007 in Kampala, the capital of east African nation Uganda.