Satinder Bindra, Director of Communications and Spokesperson for Commonwealth Secretary-General, says the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is being positioned as the most viewed and most widely discussed summit in the biennial gathering’s history, with preparations in Antigua and Barbuda drawing confidence from the Secretariat following a series of advance visits this week.

Bindra made the remarks during a press conference held at what has been designated the CHOGM Secretariat building in St. John’s on Tuesday, following a meeting with principals at the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS), which has been named the official broadcaster for CHOGM 2026.

He was accompanied by Everton Barnes, co-chair of the Media and Public Affairs Committee of the CHOGM 2026 Task Force, and the committee’s co-lead, Sharifa George.

“We want this to be the most talked about, the most viewed CHOGM ever,” Bindra said. “We are expecting a very large presence from the international media because of what Antigua offers.”

The advance visit is the second of three, with the third scheduled as a virtual session on Thursday.

Bindra described the state of preparations as giving the Secretariat “great confidence,” citing his inspection of venues including the media centre and cricket grounds. He said the spirit of organisers and the public had been evident from the moment the delegation arrived.

“We were at the airport just yesterday and the senior manager there said to the visiting diplomats and delegates: ‘don’t worry, we can do it.’ That to me exemplified this big spirit that’s here,” Bindra told members of the media.

Bindra also outlined the Secretariat’s vision for the summit’s thematic focus. Under this year’s theme, he said, discussions would move away from broad dialogue toward concrete delivery.

He pointed to trade figures showing intra-Commonwealth commerce currently exceeding US$900 billion, with a target of US$2 trillion by 2030.

“This will be a CHOGM less about discussion and more about delivery,” he said, adding that the Secretary General had asked him to convey that message directly. “Delivery is what matters. Delivery is what this CHOGM will focus on.”

Bindra also addressed plans for a youth forum, which he confirmed would be held ahead of the official opening ceremony on November 3. He said the forum would allow young people from across all 56 Commonwealth nations to present ideas directly to heads of government, with areas of focus including digital education, youth entrepreneurship funds, and skills development.

Sharifa George, co-lead of the CHOGM national task force speaking separately, announced that a CHOGM Youth Correspondent Programme would be launched Thursday.

The programme, she said, is designed to place young voices at the centre of CHOGM communications to ensure the summit’s content is accessible and relevant to younger audiences.

Bindra confirmed that cricket matches are planned in the lead-up to the official opening ceremony, describing the sport as a vehicle for carrying CHOGM’s key messages to audiences across the Commonwealth, particularly in India, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the broader Caribbean.

He noted that Sir Vivian Richards, CHOGM 2026 Envoy, represents a direct connection between the meeting’s identity and Antigua’s cricketing legacy.

“By having a cricket game you’re reaching out to these people right across the Commonwealth,” Bindra said. “They will add a very unique flavour to this CHOGM.”

Barnes also used the occasion to announce that the former Department of Youth Affairs building would serve as the permanent CHOGM Secretariat going forward, part of a government policy decision to enter the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions sector.

He said the facility would continue to function as an event planning hub after CHOGM 2026 concludes, with further major events planned beyond the November summit.