RWANDA CONFIRMS HOSTING COMMONWEALTH GENERAL MEETING IN 2020

By Staff Reporter

As Uganda is hosting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Summit, the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has been officially launched in a video message from the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame (right) and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland announcing Rwanda as host of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

The two announced that CHOGM 2020 will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre during the week starting 22 June.  Leaders from all 53 Commonwealth countries are expected to attend.

The theme for the meeting is ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’. Five sub-themes have been identified for discussion: Governance and Rule of Law, ICT & Innovation, Youth, Environment and Trade.

Building on progress since CHOGM 2018 in London, leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.

President Kagame said it will be a great pleasure to welcome leaders of the Commonwealth when they gather in Kigali.

“We will work hard to make everybody feel Rwanda is an extension of their home.

“The distinctive aspect of CHOGM 2020 will be connectivity including what young people can do with technology to create vibrant societies and develop our economies,” said Kagame.

Secretary-General Scotland said that the youth demographic in Rwanda is a real opportunity.

“It’s going to be a very exciting chance for us to enable our young people to develop and deploy the skills they need so they can fulfil their potential.

“By connecting, innovating and transforming, the Commonwealth opens up scope for mobilizing the talent of people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Scotland.

As well as the meeting of heads of government, the week will include a meeting of foreign ministers and forums to engage young people, civil society, women and the business community.