
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) has concluded in Apia, Samoa—the first-ever CHOGM held in a small island member country of the Pacific Region. Presidents and Prime Ministers gathered under the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth” reaffirming their commitment to tackling global economic, environmental, and security challenges. The meeting explored ways to enhance resilience, sustainable trade, and inclusive growth while also emphasising the empowerment of youth and women.
At a CHOGM side event hosted by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), participants celebrated the enduring partnership between COL and Samoa, which has advanced open, distance and flexible learning over the past decade. Chaired by Professor Patila Amosa, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa (NUS), the session highlighted COL’s contributions to technology-enabled learning and youth training. These initiatives have greatly expanded access to quality learning resources, especially in remote areas of the Pacific region, and empowered both educators and students through blended learning models and hands-on skills development programs.
In the Leaders’ Statement and Samoa Communiqué (26 October 2024), Heads of Government “commended the Commonwealth of Learning for the work on expanding access to quality education and training, including technical and vocational training, also through open, distance and technology-enabled learning,” highlighting the impact of COL’s work in open learning innovation in policy and praxis throughout the Commonwealth. Heads also applauded and recognised the valuable contribution of the Commonwealth of Learning along with other intergovernmental and accredited organisations, civil society, human rights defenders, women, youth, and other groups in our Commonwealth ‘Aiga’.
Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO of COL also delivered a report to foreign ministers to update them on COL’s progress. For details, see the brochure and a copy of the President’s slideshow, ‘Learning Innovation to Create a Resilient Future’.
Antigua and Barbuda was chosen as the incoming Chair-in-Office and Host Country for the next CHOGM in 2026, making it the smallest state to host a Commonwealth summit. Expected topics of discussion include the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, climate change, international trade, and economic innovation.
On the final day of the event, the Commonwealth Heads of Government selected the Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in 2025.