POLITICS & POLICY MAKING
PM Shehbaz Sharif has accepted an invitation from King Charles III to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this October. The summit will mark the King’s first chairing of the event and focus on key issues including climate change. #CHOGM2024 #Commonwealth #PMShehbazSharif
Long News Article:
PM Shehbaz Sharif to Attend CHOGM in Samoa Following Invitation from King Charles III
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone invitation from King Charles III of Great Britain to attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), set to take place in Samoa from October 21-26, 2024. This year’s CHOGM will be particularly notable as it will be the first summit chaired by King Charles III since he assumed the role of head of the Commonwealth in September 2022.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held every two years, provides a platform for member countries to discuss and collaborate on pressing global issues. The 2022 summit was hosted in Rwanda, and this year’s event in Samoa will continue the tradition of rotating hosts among Commonwealth nations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accepted the invitation with enthusiasm, acknowledging the significance of this year’s summit. In a statement from the Prime Minister’s House, PM Sharif highlighted that the meeting would serve as a crucial opportunity for enhancing intra-Commonwealth cooperation on key issues, including sustainable development, democratic governance, and youth empowerment.
The Prime Minister also expressed particular interest in discussing climate change at the summit. Given Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters, PM Sharif noted the importance of addressing environmental sustainability. Pakistan experienced unprecedented flooding in 2022, which resulted in significant loss of life, extensive damage to agriculture, and economic losses estimated at $30 billion. This context underscores the relevance of climate issues in the upcoming discussions.
In his conversation with King Charles III, PM Sharif also extended his well-wishes for the Princess of Wales, who recently completed chemotherapy treatment. The Prime Minister expressed his hope for her continued health and recovery.
PM Shehbaz Sharif had previously visited London in May 2023 to attend King Charles III’s coronation and the CHOGM. During that visit, he emphasized the strong, historic bonds between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, celebrating their shared history and deep-rooted relations.
The forthcoming CHOGM in Samoa is anticipated to be a pivotal event for the Commonwealth, as member states come together under the leadership of King Charles III to address global challenges and promote collaborative solutions.