Rwanda to host Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in June

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Rwanda will host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June this year, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Rwandan government said Monday.

The meeting was initially scheduled in June 2020 but was postponed twice because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The secretariat and the Rwandan government said in a joint statement that the week of June 20 is the new date agreed with member countries for the meeting.

“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,” said Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said she was delighted that the Commonwealth family can finally be reunited, four years on from their 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 said.

The Commonwealth brings together 54 countries, mainly former colonies of Britain, with a total population of 2.4 billion.

A former Belgian colony, Rwanda joined the Anglophone association in 2009.