President Paul Kagame and Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland have announced the week of 20 June 2022 as the new date agreed with member countries for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

CHOGM was due to have been held in Kigali in June 2020 but was postponed twice due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHOGM is customarily held every two years and is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making gathering. Commonwealth leaders selected Rwanda as host for their next summit when they met in London in 2018.

Through a statement released on Monday 31st January 2022, President Kagame welcomed participants of the meeting expected to discuss, among other things, ways to address COVID-19 related challenges.

"Rwanda is pleased to welcome all delegates and participants to Kigali for a safe and productive CHOGM Rwanda 2022. The last two years have made it clear to us that we are more connected than ever before and we must work together to achieve the tangible and sustainable results we want. The long awaited meeting will be an important occasion to come together to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to build on innovative technological and economic opportunities to solve other key problems facing our citizens," he said.

The Secretary-General Scotland also expressed delight that the meeting is set to take place following years of adjournment.

“I am delighted that the Commonwealth family can finally be reunited, four years on from our last CHOGM in London. Our meetings in Rwanda will give us a real opportunity to reaffirm the values that bind the Commonwealth together and focus on vital issues, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling climate change and poverty, boosting trade and promoting sustainable development - all issues that can only be dealt with decisively through multilateral cooperation and mutual support," she stated.

“We have adapted throughout the pandemic, holding ministerial meetings online. It is with great joy and anticipation that I look ahead to a face-to-face Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting," Scotland added.

Scotland has also commended the Government and people of Rwanda for their outstanding commitment and dedication to delivering an exemplary CHOGM in Kigali.

"I thank all Rwandans for their grace and fortitude in undertaking such detailed preparations to ensure a safe, secure and productive CHOGM that drives the Commonwealth forward in these trying times,” she said.

The upcoming CHOGM due in Kigali will be the first to be held in Africa for over a decade.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of members are small states, many of which are island nations.

Its Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights.

The Commonwealth work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.

Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
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