The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting starts in Perth on Friday morning, when it will be be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth.
Leaders of the 16 realm nations, including Australia, will meet to discuss British Prime Minister David Cameron's push to change 300-year-old royal succession laws that prevent a first-born daughter ascending to the throne ahead of her brothers.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, meanwhile, will lead talks with her Commonwealth counterparts on how to reinvigorate the beleaguered body, after an Eminent Persons Group report called on Commonwealth nations to embrace a bold reform agenda.
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The summit is also set to be dogged by protests and continuing disquiet about the human rights record of Sri Lanka, set to host the next CHOGM in 2013.
Civil society leaders have issued a challenge to Commonwealth leaders meeting in Perth to urgently reform the world grouping to remain relevant and ensure human
rights are protected.
More than 300 delegates wrapped up a three-day People's Forum on Thursday in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Forum spokespeople told reporters they had delivered a clear message in a meeting with Commonwealth foreign ministers that the body must reform and increase its accountability to the peoples of its member states.
The forum backed an Eminent Persons Group recommendation for the Commonwealth to appoint a commissioner for democracy, human rights
and the rule of law to monitor member countries.
Malaysian member Jerald Joseph said the forum did not get a clear indication from the ministers that the commissioner proposal would see the light of day.
It's understood that South Africa, India and other countries oppose the idea.
Mr Joseph said the forum also called on leaders to agree to implement freedom of information laws across the Commonwealth to better protect human rights.
"Enough of old politics, human rights is in your interests," he said.
Barbados forum member Shantal Munro-Knight said the Commonwealth was founded on the principles of democracy and human rights but had to deal with "clear contradictions" to that among its member countries.
