Commonwealth officials have agreed a draft plan to accelerate investment and reform global finance systems, with Barbados pushing for formal recognition of the Bridgetown Initiative before heads of government meet later this year in Antigua.

High Commissioner to London Edmund Hinkson and the mission’s Minister-Counsellor, Dr Ricardo Kellman, were among representatives from the 56-member grouping of mostly former British colonies who met at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London to prepare the document ahead of the Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM) slated for November 1-4.

The draft will now be considered and decided on by Commonwealth foreign ministers when they meet at the start of the conference.