Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
“Each CHOGM is a reflection of its time, but the next one, in 2026, will be a turning point.”.
This was a chilling statement made by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey while she spoke at the official launch of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Tuesday morning.
Speaking in front of a distinguished crowd, at the Sandals Grande Antigua, Botchwey mentioned that the CHOGM is a major opportunity for the Commonwealth to make a major stamp towards improving specific areas worldwide.
“We gather at a moment of extraordinary global strain. The multilateral system is under pressure. Trust is fraying. Climate impacts are intensifying. Debts and inequality weigh heavily and growth has stalled, frustrating the hopes and aspirations of millions around the world and yet, amid all this turbulence, and indeed, because of it, because of the painful history of dashed hopes over unrealized development dreams, this is the Commonwealth’s moment to unite around its values and make a common cause to restore growth and prosperity through intra-Commonwealth trade and investment.
“To provide skills for tens of millions of Commonwealth youth to power production, innovation, and entrepreneurship. To scale up climate action, including a renewable energy revolution that moves us faster towards net zero and expand Commonwealth businesses and to reform international debts and financing with vulnerability at its core.
“It is, above all, the Commonwealth’s moment to affirm that it is possible to realize the promise of democracy by building resilience in all our countries and investing in our shared prosperity for the benefit of all the people of the Commonwealth. That is why this CHOGM matters so deeply because the world needs what the Commonwealth offers. A spirit of fraternity that bridges divides.A platform where nations, large and small, developed and developing, speak and act as equals and a community that has demonstrated unparalleled ability to come together and solve the most difficult and contentious issues,” Botchwey declared.
Fifty-six nations make up the Commonwealth, Botchwey is calling on all member states to come together and give their efforts to chart a path forward in a “renewed Commonwealth”.
They will all converge in Antigua and Barbuda at the 24th sitting from November 1-4 next year.
This is so good for us down here. I wonder if we truly know all the protentional this holds for our small island state.
it’s a pivotal moment for small nations like Antigua and Barbuda to push for real development, partnerships, and investment on the global stage.
They talking about climate change and debt, two things we struggling with every day in the Caribbean. Hope they actually listen to the small islands this time.
I liked what she said about helping young people and jobs. If the Commonwealth can help train our youth and create real opportunities, that’s something!