Pacific Island Nations to Host High-Level Commonwealth Meeting
Upcoming Visits
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will embark on official visits to Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga from 25 March 2024. In both countries, she will discuss issues of importance to the Commonwealth and the Pacific region with the heads of government, cabinet ministers, and other public figures, including Commonwealth assistance and cooperation.
Samoa Visit
The Secretary-General will arrive in Samoa on 25 March 2024, where she will meet with Prime Minister Hon Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa to discuss the preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for this October in Apia.
Tonga Visit
From 30 March to 3 April 2024, the Secretary-General will be in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, for her first official visit. She will meet with Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Hu’akavameiliku, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu, Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu and other cabinet ministers. She will particularly seek their perspectives on the CHOGM agenda as part of consultations with member countries before the biennial meeting.
CHOGM in Samoa
The meeting will be the first in a Pacific Small Island State and will focus on global political, economic, and environmental developments as well as the work undertaken by the Commonwealth since the last summit in Rwanda almost two years ago. The Secretary-General expressed her gratitude to the Government and people of Samoa for their warm hospitality and thorough preparations for the meeting.
Message from the Secretary-General
Ahead of her visit, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: "Samoa and Tonga are wonderful countries with strong cultural links, and I am so happy to be returning to the Pacific. Both countries are central to our Commonwealth family and embody the values and commitments we share, with their governments and people actively contributing to the partnerships which make the modern Commonwealth so strong and dynamic."
A Critical CHOGM
"Our Head of Government Meeting in Samoa comes at a seminal moment, especially as the impacts of the climate crisis become more intense, more frequent, and more devastating," she said. "In the Pacific, people see and feel these impacts, living with them daily, despite the region bearing the least responsibility for causing the problem." She added, "Samoa’s hosting of CHOGM – the first in a Pacific Small Island State – symbolises our commitment to amplifying the voices of the most affected. The decisions leaders will make together at this meeting will profoundly impact the well-being of our people and the planet."
Commonwealth Programmes
During her engagements in both countries, the Secretary-General will also update leaders and ministers about various Commonwealth programmes designed to help member countries strengthen democratic institutions, build resilient economies, and protect the environment. Particularly on the environmental front, she will highlight the Commonwealth’s coordinated response to unlocking funding for climate action through the Climate Finance Access Hub, ocean challenges through the Blue Charter, land degradation issues through the Living Lands Charter, and a just energy transition through Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda.
Engagements
The Secretary-General’s schedule includes engagements with young people, women’s rights groups, and civil society representatives.
Conclusion
As the Commonwealth Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of the most affected, it is crucial that we take heed of the Pacific Island Nations’ plea for climate action. The upcoming meeting in Samoa will be a crucial step in this direction, and it is essential that we work together to build a resilient common future for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place in Samoa?
A: Samoa is hosting the meeting for the first time in a Pacific Small Island State, symbolizing the commitment to amplifying the voices of the most affected and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Q: What are the key issues that will be discussed during the meeting?
A: The meeting will focus on global political, economic, and environmental developments, as well as the work undertaken by the Commonwealth since the last summit in Rwanda.
Q: What are the Commonwealth’s initiatives in the Pacific region?
A: The Commonwealth has various programmes designed to help member countries strengthen democratic institutions, build resilient economies, and protect the environment, including initiatives on climate action, ocean challenges, and land degradation.