With the countdown underway for next year’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGHM) here in Antigua and Barbuda, Resident British Ambassador John Hamilton spoke briefly on the work behind the scenes.

Ambassador Hamilton explained that with the update on the set dates for the international event, preparation is now full steam ahead.

Resident British Ambassador John Hamilton (screenshot of state media)

“Well, CHOGM is proceeding well. So, there is increasing clarity on the dates. So, I think you can expect to see that advertised very shortly and with increasing clarity on the dates, it’s brought more focus in now on the preparations because we now have an end date leading to all the preparations,” Ambassador Hamilton said.

The event will include an opening ceremony.  Forums for youth, business, women, and civil society, A spouses’ and partners programme led by Hon. Minister Maria Bird-Browne and a leaders’ retreat and closing press conference.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne will oversee the preparations alongside task teams managing logistics, security, accommodation, and more.

Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner in London, will serve as the focal point.

“So, there is a number of logistical meetings that have been happening. Your Excellency High Commissioner in the UK, Karen-Mae Hill, has just been here, had a number of meetings with her colleagues across government. She’s now gone back to London and is organising meetings in September with the Commonwealth, bringing in people from Antigua, bringing in people from within the region that are going to be helping with CHOGM.

“So, those meetings are happening in October into November. The Commonwealth are coming back again for another visit with the Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth and we’ll be coming here to take the planning on to the next stage.

“For myself as well, we’re going to be having more senior UK visitors coming by the end of the year. Things like booking of hotels, booking of cars, recruiting of extra staff, all of these things have begun now. So, it’s moving from this distant concept to actually something that’s becoming a lot more real now,” Ambassador Hamilton explained.

Back in January, Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat to kickstart planning for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

This historic event will bring together His Majesty King Charles III, leaders from the 56 Commonwealth nations, and approximately 6,000 delegates, including youth, business, women, and civil society leaders.

It will be the largest international event ever hosted by Antigua and Barbuda.

CHOGM is expected to provide a major boost to local businesses—hotels, restaurants, bars, taxi services, tour operators, souvenir shops, and more.