Samoa will host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2024.

It will be the first time a small island state would host this meeting.

The announcement was made by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in a press conference following the closing of the 51st Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Suva yesterday.

The Commonwealth consists of 56 countries, spread across five continents and six basins of our one great ocean. Ms Scotland said she was delighted that a Pacific Island nation would host leaders of the commonwealth in a few year’s time.

“This is a huge moment for Samoa, and for the whole Commonwealth – the first time a small island nation in the Pacific will host a CHOGM,” Ms Scotland said.

Commonwealth Reassurance

She also reassured the Commonwealth’s support in the fight against climate adversaries.

“Tropical cyclones and flooding are the biggest threats, but agricultural drought-related losses contribute to 20 per cent of the total annual average losses from disasters.

“These shocks are more frequent and forceful because of climate change. The crisis is real. Here in the Pacific, we see it, feel it, and live it. As the IPCC has said, we are at Code Red for humanity, and the window for action is rapidly closing.”

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