Antigua and Barbuda has taken another step in its preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, with officials calling on civil society to help shape the future direction of the Commonwealth.
Speaking at the launch of the Commonwealth People’s Forum, Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene said it was a “profound honour” to welcome stakeholders to an initiative designed to strengthen citizen engagement ahead of the global summit.
The forum will give civil society groups an opportunity to contribute ideas and recommendations that could influence discussions among Commonwealth leaders when they meet in Antigua and Barbuda later this year.
Addressing Prime Minister Gaston Browne, diplomats and representatives of the Commonwealth Foundation, Mr Greene said the organisation’s strength lies in the diversity of its 56 member states.
He used the metaphor of a “Commonwealth quilt” to illustrate how different cultures, ideas and experiences can be brought together to form a unified vision.
“A quilt, by its very nature, is an artefact of collective effort,” he said. “Each piece retains its character while contributing to a stronger whole.”
Mr Greene said civil society plays a critical role in that process by bringing real-world perspectives and innovation to policymaking.
“While governments establish policy, it is civil society that brings authenticity and a people-centred approach to the Commonwealth,” he said.
He also praised the Commonwealth Foundation for supporting civil society participation across member states and helping to convene dialogue among diverse groups.
Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to host the CHOGM summit later this year, bringing leaders from across the Commonwealth to the twin-island nation to discuss governance, development and global cooperation.
Mr Greene said the success of the event would depend on a “whole-of-country” approach, encouraging citizens and organisations to participate through volunteerism, partnerships and advocacy.
He urged stakeholders to embrace the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
“Piece by piece, voice by voice, let us assemble a Commonwealth quilt that reflects the strength, resilience and unity of our peoples,” he said.
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First of all remove the term “Commonwealth” (I bet some elitist colonial oink 🐖 back in the day came up with this demeaning word) and then we should replace it with a more enlightening name like ‘Caribbean Well-Being’ (CWB), that has a more unifying ring about it.
I mean ah who dem ah call “Common?”
Anyway, I do think that we as Caribbeans needs to unify a lot more than we are doing now, so that food, energy, finance and economic practices are much more amalgamated.
A difficult approach I know, but at least the future “seed” for the next generation would have been planted well in advance.
Brixtonian, it is not a Caribbean led forum. The Commonwealth is indeed taken from a Colonial Past. However, it is still a part of our history.
Places like Australia, India, Canada, and others Are a part of this tapestry. Let us not try to forget from whence we all have come. I say this for my ancestry is mixed from African, Portuguese and Indian descent. Because I carry the melatonin from my African and Indian ancestors means that I refuse to acknowledge my Portuguese ancestry.
In much the same way, brought as our ancestors were from the ‘Old World’s and transplanted and growing in our Caribbean does not nullify our ties to other Commonwealth countries.
We all can learn from each other, help each other to grow, protect each other.
The right Leader for such a time as this. Chet it appears as if you have no confidence in yourself which is such a disappointment.
@Joan, I very much appreciate and respect your erudite response 👍🏾
@Brixtonian, I thank you for your response. We all owe each other insights to improve our understanding of events.
I look forward to reading more of your responses and I hope, if I ever need a correction point on any of my missives you, or anyone else will see fit to correct it. We learn that way.
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