1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

8th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Host country The Bahamas
Dates16–22 October 1985
CitiesNassau
VenuesLyford Cay
Participants46
Heads of State or Government41
ChairSir Lynden Pindling
(Prime Minister)
Follows1983
Precedes1986
Key points

The 1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was the eighth Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was held in Nassau, the Bahamas, between 16 and 22 October 1985, and was hosted by Bahamian Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Pindling. 46 Commonwealth countries participated, with 41 heads of state or government represented.[1]

The Nassau Accord was agreed to calling on the government of South Africa to dismantle its apartheid policy, enter into negotiations with the country's black majority and end its occupation of Namibia. The Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group was appointed to investigate the South African issue and report back with recommendations ahead of the special 1986 meeting in London.[1]

Once released from prison, Nelson Mandela visited the Bahamas and thanked Sir Lynden Pindling for his role in opposing apartheid. Thabo Mbeki also visited the Bahamas when he became president of South Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 "COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING, 1985 - FINAL COMMUNIQUE". Commonwealth Library. Retrieved 2026-05-01.