The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka is leading Fiji’s delegation to the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 21-26 October, 2024 in Apia, Samoa.
Prime Minister Rabuka departs for Samoa today and has engagements lined up for the week, including bilateral meetings with the development partners.
The Fiji delegation comprises Hon. Jese Saukuru, Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Alitia Bainivalu, Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Permanent Secretaries and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, Solicitor General’s Office, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
CHOGM brings together leaders of the fifty-six (56) Commonwealth countries from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
This is the first Commonwealth leaders meeting that is being hosted in the Pacific. The Samoa CHOGM will be a critical moment in the Commonwealth's journey as it turns 75 this year. It will also be the first CHOGM for the new Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III.
The theme of the CHOGM, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’, emphasizes how the 56 member countries must harness their strengths by building resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the 'Commonwealth Advantage' and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth. This transformation is vital to ensure a resilient common future where no one is left behind.
Fiji’s participation at the CHOGM 2024 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to global and regional peace and solidarity which is at the heart of our approach to Fiji’s Foreign Policy. It is imperative for Fiji to engage in global and regional forums to advance the bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.
Ahead of the Leaders meeting on 25th and 26th October, the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, Youth Forum, Peoples Forum, and Business Forum will convene from 21st to 24th October, 2024.