PRIME Minister James Marape today applauded the significant achievements of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held in Samoa.
The meeting, themed ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’, brought together leaders from 56 Commonwealth nations from October 25-26 to address critical global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, and social equity.
Prime Minister Marape underscored the importance of these agreements for Papua New Guinea and the broader Pacific region, describing them as “timely and critical” for building a resilient future.
He reiterated his commitment to working closely with Commonwealth partners to advance these initiatives.
Key Agreements from CHOGM 2024:
• Ocean Declaration: The leaders adopted a groundbreaking Ocean Declaration aimed at safeguarding the health and sustainability of the world’s oceans. This agreement focuses on mitigating the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, addressing ocean pollution, and promoting sustainable ocean-based economies. Prime Minister Marape welcomed this initiative, stating, “The Ocean Declaration provides the Pacific region with a strong foundation to protect our oceans, which are vital for our food security, economic growth, and cultural heritage.”
• Climate Action and Resilience: A central pillar of the discussions was the urgent need for climate action, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to intensifying efforts to combat climate change. This includes scaling up adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly for small Pacific Island nations, that face severe climate risks. Leaders agreed on the need for innovative climate financing solutions to support vulnerable countries. Prime Minister Marape stressed the importance of this agreement, saying, “Papua New Guinea and our Pacific neighbours are on the front lines of climate change. The commitments made here are not just about addressing environmental challenges—they are about safeguarding our future.”
• Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Commonwealth leaders pledged to strengthen democratic governance, uphold human rights, and reinforce the rule of law across member states. This agreement aims to promote political stability and peace through resilient democratic institutions. “Strong, transparent, and accountable institutions are essential for peace and development. This is particularly important as we work to ensure that all citizens, including the most vulnerable, are represented and protected,” Prime Minister Marape said.
• Empowering Women and Youth: Recognising the vital role of women and youth in driving progress, Commonwealth leaders agreed on new strategies to promote gender equality and youth empowerment. This includes initiatives to enhance entrepreneurial opportunities, increase access to education, and develop skills for the 1.5 billion young people across the Commonwealth. “Our youth are the future of the Commonwealth, and it is crucial that we invest in their potential. Likewise, empowering women to participate fully in economic and social life is essential for our nation’s prosperity,” said Prime Minister Marape.
• Economic Recovery and Sustainability: In the face of ongoing global economic challenges, Commonwealth leaders agreed to support sustainable economic recovery and growth. This includes promoting trade, investment, and innovation, as well as fostering resilient economies that can withstand future disruptions. Prime Minister Marape highlighted the importance of this agreement for Papua New Guinea’s economic development, saying, “A sustainable and inclusive economic recovery is key to building resilience. We must ensure that all citizens benefit from growth, particularly as we recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.”
In addition to these landmark agreements, CHOGM 2024 also included discussions on key Commonwealth programmes such as health, education, and digital transformation. The meeting featured ministerial and bilateral sessions, as well as four major forums—focused on youth, women, business, and people—where participants shared best practices and showcased progress on key issues.
Prime Minister Marape expressed his gratitude to the Government of Samoa for hosting a successful CHOGM and praised the leadership of His Majesty King Charles III, who attended his first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth. He also acknowledged the work of outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, saying, “Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the interests of small states like Papua New Guinea, and we are grateful for her dedication to the Commonwealth.”
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s shared values and goals.
“Through collective action, we can address the challenges of today and build a resilient, prosperous future for all members of our Commonwealth family.”
