Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is leading Fiji’s delegation to the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place this week in Apia, Samoa. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that he is departing for Samoa today, where a series of engagements, including bilateral meetings with development partners, are scheduled throughout the week.
The delegation includes senior Cabinet Ministers, high-ranking government officials, and personnel from the Office of the Solicitor-General. CHOGM gathers leaders from the fifty-six Commonwealth nations across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. This year’s meeting marks the first time Commonwealth leaders are convening in the Pacific.
The Samoa CHOGM is significant as it coincides with the Commonwealth’s 75th anniversary. It will also be the inaugural CHOGM for the new Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III. The theme for this year’s meeting, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” emphasizes the importance of harnessing strengths among the member countries to build resilience, unlock potential, utilize the ‘Commonwealth Advantage,’ and foster a connected digital Commonwealth. This transformation aims to create a resilient future that ensures no one is left behind.
Fiji’s participation in CHOGM 2024 reflects the nation’s strong commitment to global and regional peace and solidarity, which underpins its foreign policy. Engaging in international and regional forums is crucial for advancing bilateral relations and fostering multilateral cooperation.