Prime Minister Browne Signals Planning Countdown For Hosting Historic Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting In 2026
St. John’s, Antigua – The Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed and met with a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat today to kickstart the planning process for hosting the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to be held next year in St. John’s, Antigua.
The historic meeting is expected to welcome the Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III, and many Heads of Government of the Commonwealth, approximately 6,000 delegates, and women, youth, business and civil society leaders, making it the largest international event ever hosted by Antigua and Barbuda.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the entire Commonwealth family of 56 nations so they can experience the richness of our culture, our ecological heritage and the warmth of our people,” stated Hon. Prime Minister Browne, adding, “`the conference will showcase Antigua and Barbuda as a premier global conference destination, which will provide both immediate and long-term financial benefits to our country and its people.”
CHOGMs typically boost revenues for airlines, hotels, family-run bed and breakfasts and other businesses such as bars, restaurants, taxi and tour operators, as well as souvenir stores.
The Hon. Prime Minister will lead all preparations and several task teams responsible for planning logistics, transport, security, accommodation and communications for the prestigious event. Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner for the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London, will serve as the focal point.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting will begin with an opening ceremony and include meetings among Heads of Government and foreign ministers on pertinent global issues such as peace, partnerships, trade, investments, and other relevant issues for all Commonwealth countries.
In addition to the official meetings, the 28th CHOGM will include four forums for civil society, youth, the business community and women. A spouses’ and partners programme is also being planned under the leadership of the Hon. Minister Maria Bird-Browne.
CHOGM will conclude with a leaders’ retreat and a closing press conference. More than 300 journalists from across the Commonwealth are expected to attend the meeting and will shine a global spotlight on the country’s tourism and conference-related infrastructure.
A CHOGM theme, logo, and an exact date for the meeting will be announced by the Hon. Prime Minister and the Commonwealth Secretariat shortly.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings are held every two years, and the last one was held in Apia, Samoa, which became the first blue Pacific Island nation to host the summit. Earlier CHOGMs have been hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in 2009; Canada in 1987 as well as in 1973; Bahamas in 1985; and Jamaica in 1975.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
