Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey says initiatives and commitments arising from CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda will be pursued during Commonwealth Investment Week in 2027, as the organisation seeks to turn the summit’s discussions into practical benefits.
Speaking at the closing reception at Nelson’s Dockyard on Wednesday, Botchwey said the work begun during the gathering would continue beyond the departure of leaders and delegates.
“What we have started here together this week, we will continue. We will drive forward our initiatives and follow up on our commitments, not least during Commonwealth Investment Week next year,” she said.
Botchwey did not announce specific dates or a location for Investment Week, nor did she provide investment totals during her remarks.
She said the Antigua and Barbuda gathering had delivered partnerships for new capital investment, a practical agenda to increase trade and initiatives covering skills, climate and nature.
Those efforts, she said, were intended to bring meaningful improvements to the lives of people across the Commonwealth.
“The legacy of this CHOGM will be the new partnerships forged and greater, more widely shared prosperity for all our 2.7 billion people,” Botchwey said.
The secretary-general described the summit as a new model for Commonwealth engagement, with meetings structured around action and results.
She said leaders and delegations from 56 nations had gathered for a programme that included four forums, five key events, two investment summits, three ministerial meetings and two leaders’ gatherings.
“Through the new model for CHOGM, which we have pioneered this week, the Commonwealth has proved that nations working together can achieve tangible results for their people,” she said.
Botchwey also thanked investors, donors, philanthropists, foundations and others who had made pledges during the gathering.
Antigua and Barbuda will have a role in maintaining that momentum through its Commonwealth chairmanship. Botchwey said she and her team looked forward to working closely with Prime Minister Gaston Browne over the next two years.
In his closing address, Browne urged governments, institutions and partners to follow through on their commitments and mobilise investment to support their economies.
“We must ensure that the priorities identified during our deliberations are translated into practical initiatives, strengthened partnerships, and measurable progress,” he said.
Browne said the Commonwealth’s credibility would be measured by the results it delivered, adding that the end of the summit marked the beginning of the work needed to implement its commitments.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Commonwealth to follow up Antigua and Barbuda summit commitments during Investment Week next year.