Diplomacy
Samoa Confirmed to Host CHOGM 2024
APIA, SAMOA – 27 JUNE 2022: Samoa will host the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The decision was confirmed in Kigali, Rwanda in the weekend as the 2022 CHOGM came to a close.
The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa attended the meeting and it will be the first time a Pacific member country will host CHOGM.
CHOGM brings together Leaders and delegations from 54 Commonwealth nations from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Europe to meet every two years, hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis since 1971.
The last meeting was hosted by the United Kingdom in 2018, and this is the first meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the meeting for two years.
CHOGM aims to reinforce multilateral cooperation, explore new opportunities, and tackle common challenges for the well-being of future generations. The theme of CHOGM 2022 is “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.”
The official opening of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was held at the Kigali Conference Centre, on Friday 24th June and heard remarks from HRH The Prince of Wales, the new Chair-In-Office and President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, and outgoing Chair-In-Office, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Samoa’s delegation arrive at Kigali Airport for the CHOGM 2022.
The week-long gathering included Ministerial Meetings, Forums, side events and other activities. The official opening of CHOGM took place on Friday 24 June, followed by the main high-level meetings of Heads of Government, which ended with a retreat on Saturday 25 June.
The Leaders discussed important matters to the Commonwealth family of nations such as Democracy, Peace, and Governance; Sustainable and Inclusive Development; Post-COVID-19 recovery, climate crisis, new members and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
On Saturday 25th during the Leaders Retreat, Samoa was confirmed as the next host for the CHOGM in 2024. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Ms Peseta Noumea Simi, CEO Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agafili Shem Leo, CEO Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Francella Strickland, Ambassador of Samoa to Belgium and Mr Vani Vai, ADC.