Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Attends Opening of Commonwealth Executive Meeting
Apia, Samoa – On Friday, October 25, 2024, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone joined leaders from 55 independent nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and the Americas for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Tuanaimato Conference Centre in Samoa.
Prime Minister Hon. Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa of Samoa opened the 27th CHOGM session, welcoming Heads of Government, their representatives, and all attendees to her nation. She expressed the significance of this event, being the first CHOGM led by His Majesty King Charles III as head of the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Mataʻafa highlighted climate change as a central issue, noting its profound impact on Samoa, a nation vulnerable to climate shifts despite its youthful population.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC, thanked members for their continued support and noted the Commonwealth’s resilience, strengthened through various assistance initiatives. She acknowledged the global challenges affecting member states, including climate change, rising fuel costs, ongoing conflicts, and pandemic aftereffects. The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of unity among Commonwealth countries and commended the significant increase in inter-Commonwealth trade and investment during her tenure.
King Charles III addressed the association, describing the Commonwealth as a family of equals and underlining the importance of addressing inequality among nations. He acknowledged the Commonwealth’s complex history and the lingering effects of shared past hardships, stressing that recognizing this history is crucial for future progress. King Charles advocated for collective action to close gaps in opportunities, education, employment, health, and environmental quality.
Outgoing CHOGM chair, President Paul Kagame, called for decisive action on climate change, particularly noting the impacts on small islands like Samoa and regions in Africa and Asia. He urged member nations to adopt strong policies, form public-private partnerships, and champion green investments as proactive responses to climate challenges.