Prime Minister and Chairman-in-Office of the Commonwealth, the Right Honourable Gaston Browne, has described the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), hosted by Antigua and Barbuda, as one of the most successful summits in the organisation’s history.
Speaking at the closing press conference alongside Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, Prime Minister Browne said the four-day meeting had achieved significant progress in strengthening cooperation among the 56 member countries and establishing a more practical and impactful role for the Commonwealth in addressing global challenges.
More than 5,000 delegates attended the meeting, which brought together Heads of Government, senior officials, business leaders, young people, civil society representatives and other stakeholders. The programme included several forums and side events designed to encourage dialogue, investment and collaboration among member states.
Prime Minister Browne explained that Antigua and Barbuda had deliberately sought to make the summit more than a diplomatic gathering, placing particular emphasis on trade, investment and the development of partnerships capable of delivering tangible benefits to the people of the Commonwealth.
He noted that leaders had agreed to pursue a significant increase in intra-Commonwealth trade, recognising the opportunities presented by the combined market of approximately 2.7 billion people. He also highlighted the importance of greater cooperation in accessing energy and other essential products within the Commonwealth, particularly in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to global supply chains.
The Prime Minister welcomed the commitment of the United Kingdom to advocate for Commonwealth priorities during its forthcoming chairmanship of the G20, particularly on the issue of debt. He said greater access to affordable financing, longer repayment periods and more sustainable debt arrangements would be essential in helping small and vulnerable states create fiscal space for development and climate resilience.
He also underscored the importance of accelerating the transition to renewable energy, noting that this was necessary not only to address climate change but also to strengthen economic resilience and reduce the vulnerability of member states to fluctuations in international oil prices.
On reparations, Prime Minister Browne welcomed the agreement reflected in the Commonwealth communiqué for the United Kingdom to engage in structured and inclusive dialogue with affected parties. He expressed confidence that the issue would be addressed through a constructive process and indicated that the framework for the dialogue was expected to be established by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with discussions anticipated within the following 12 months.
The Prime Minister further noted that, despite issues on which member states held differing positions, leaders had demonstrated a strong spirit of camaraderie and cooperation and had reached consensus on a way forward. He stressed that the Commonwealth must not allow any single issue to undermine the shared values and interests that unite its membership.
He also reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to collective climate action, particularly advocacy for greater emissions reductions by major emitters and efforts to prevent further overshooting of the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature threshold.
Prime Minister Browne said Antigua and Barbuda had helped establish a new framework for future Commonwealth meetings—one that places greater emphasis on measurable outcomes, meaningful partnerships and development opportunities.
He expressed the view that the summit had helped reinvigorate the Commonwealth and strengthen its potential to become a more consequential international grouping, contributing to global stability, prosperity and the promotion of shared values.
The meeting concluded with Antigua and Barbuda assuming the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, succeeding Samoa, and taking responsibility for guiding the organisation’s work over the next two years. (Ends)
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda’s CHOGM 2026 Hailed as one of the Most Successful Commonwealth Summits.