Antigua and Barbuda welcomed delegates to the first day of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Sunday 1 November 2026.
CHOGM 2026 began with an uplifting interfaith service at St John’s Pentecostal Church House of Restoration in Antigua and Barbuda’s capital city.
At the ceremony, attended by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey delivered the Commonwealth affirmation for CHOGM 2026.
Read the Commonwealth affirmation
CMAG
At its 75th meeting in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) removed Gabon from its formal agenda. Ministers encouraged continued engagement by the Secretary-General and Commonwealth technical assistance, at Gabon’s request, to help strengthen democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights.
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Small states
The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States – the first formal session of CHOGM – was held within the picturesque campus of the American University of Antigua. Small states, such as this year’s CHOGM host country, have always been central to the Commonwealth’s push for greater resilience. Now, with increasing climate extremes and their accompanying threats to lives and livelihoods, CHOGM 2026 will bring together investors and leaders in a bid to boost finance, trade and economic well-being, particularly for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable countries.
At the Ministerial Meeting on Small States, Secretary-General Botchwey launched the 23rd volume of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s flagship report, Small States Economic Review and Basic Statistics.
“As the smallest nation by population ever to host a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Antigua and Barbuda exemplifies the boundless potential of small states. Across the Commonwealth, small states are generating solutions, from climate action and digital innovation to sustainable finance and the blue economy. Size need not be a limitation; rather, it can be a source of agility.” – Commonwealth Secretary-General, Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States
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National Day celebrations
Day one of CHOGM 2026 closed with celebrations at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to mark the 45th anniversary of the independence of Antigua and Barbuda. It was a packed arena with an energetic, cheering crowd, undaunted by a torrential downpour and the heat.
Fittingly, the night ended with a cricket celebration bringing Commonwealth leaders, emerging young cricketers and local communities together at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Under the banner “One Commonwealth, One Team”, friendly matches showcased sporting talent, camaraderie and the power of sport to strengthen Commonwealth friendships.
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Catch up with stories from Day 1
Press releases
- Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group removes Gabon from formal agenda
- Commonwealth ministers call for stronger partnerships and scaled-up investments for resilient small states
Publications
News and stories
Livestream
Tomorrow's agenda
Day two will kick off with the Joint Forums and Side Events Opening Ceremony to launch the Commonwealth Youth, Women’s, People’s and Business Forums followed by a concert and welcome by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon Gaston Browne.
Follow #CHOGM2026 on social media for the latest updates.
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