Antigua and Barbuda will be among Commonwealth nations represented at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting, scheduled for 9–12 February 2026 in Nadi, Fiji.

The high-level gathering will bring together law ministers and attorneys general from across the Commonwealth to address mounting global concerns surrounding the erosion of the rule of law and its impact on democratic participation, economic opportunity, and community safety.

Over three days of discussions, ministers will examine how robust legal frameworks underpin everyday life—protecting democratic rights, supporting fair livelihoods, and safeguarding healthy and secure communities.

The meeting is also expected to result in practical commitments aimed at improving access to justice and strengthening legal institutions that foster stability, equitable economies, and environmental protection.

Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General, welcomed Fiji’s role as host and underscored the urgency of the agenda.

“The rule of law remains essential to peace, stability, and development, yet it is under serious pressure in many parts of the world,” she said. “Where it is weakened or unevenly applied, ordinary people feel the impact most.”

She added that the Commonwealth’s work goes beyond rhetoric, emphasizing cooperation and practical action to ensure every citizen’s voice is heard in democracy, workers are treated with dignity, and vulnerable communities are protected—particularly in the face of climate change.

The meeting will be chaired by Siromi Turaga, Fiji’s Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney General, under the theme “Anchoring Justice in a Changing Tide: Strengthening the Rule of Law for a Resilient Future.”

Minister Turaga said the discussions would focus on ensuring justice systems remain flexible, inclusive, and responsive amid challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and evolving regional cooperation.

In addition to ministerial sessions, five side events will engage youth leaders, persons with lived experience of the justice system, and disability rights advocates, ensuring their perspectives help inform policy discussions.

Outcomes from the Fiji meeting are expected to help shape the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda later this year—placing the country at the centre of key Commonwealth policy conversations in 2026.