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Queen Elizabeth and leaders pose for the official photo at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - Source: Reuters -
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Commonwealth leaders have spent the day closeted away in private talks as they try to reach an agreement on ways to combat climate change.
Their meeting came after a day of intense lobbying from other world leaders who flew in especially for the occasion, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
During the day John Key had a talk with Her Majesty the Queen about Prince William's upcoming visit to New Zealand.
"She asked me if I was going to look after him and what I had planned for him," says Key.
They also discussed the government's relationship with the Maori Party, although leaving out the recent difficulties with rebel MP Hone Harawira.
Their meeting comes as official events in Trinidad kicked off with a cultural extravaganza.
It was a moment for leaders to relax and enjoy the show before settling down to business with the Queen setting the scene for the leaders talks.
"The threat to our environment is not a new concern but it is now a global which will continue to affect the security and stability of the world for years to come," she says.
With that in mind, the leaders headed into their retreat focusing on trying to reach a meaningful agreement rather than simply making a hopeful political statement ahead of the Copenhagen summit.
"I would be very surprised if its binding. I think what you will see is a strong statement but one that gives leaders room for some negotiating wiggle room," says Key.
There is hope though that at least commonwealth leaders can kick start political moves towards a world wide consensus.
