The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa brings together leaders from 56 countries with roots in Britain’s empire to discuss pressing issues like climate change and reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. The meeting, attended by Britain’s King Charles and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlights the vulnerability of small island nations to rising sea levels.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the urgent threat of climate change and the need for action, with a focus on ocean protection. African countries, such as Zambia, highlighted the impact of climate change on food security.
The issue of reparations for historical slavery is also on the agenda, with CARICOM leading the call for former colonial powers like the UK to acknowledge their role. Although British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated the UK’s reluctance to discuss reparations, the issue is gaining momentum globally.
As leaders convene to address these critical issues, CHOGM provides a platform for dialogue and reconciliation on historical injustices, reminding us of the lasting legacies of past atrocities.