Partnerships, investment and opportunity took centre stage in Antigua and Barbuda on the second day of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), as leaders, young people, business executives and civil society representatives gathered for the opening of the four Commonwealth forums.
Joint Forums Opening Ceremony
The sounds of Scottish pipes and Caribbean steelpans welcomed more than 500 delegates to the joint opening ceremony for the Business, People’s, Women’s and Youth Forums. Bringing together participants from across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries, the ceremony celebrated the association’s diversity and shared ambition to turn common purpose into prosperity.
Calling for bold ideas and accountability, Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey urged delegates to help shape the summit’s decisions:
“Our Charter commits every member to respecting gender equality and listening to the voices of young people. Our forums have shaped the decisions of past summits, as yours will shape this one. So, speak out boldly. Forge new friendships. And hold us to account. As you do so, don’t forget the lessons of the past. Business as usual will not transform the lives of the majority of our youth and women. We need bold, innovative, ambitious action-oriented responses to the challenges we face.”
The Opening Ceremony also marked the start of four side events on eye health, ocean finance, democracy and sport for development, with delegates preparing to share ideas on business growth, youth employment and skills development.
- Watch the Joint Forums Opening Ceremony live stream
- Read the press release, ‘ Opportunity, investment and prosperity top agenda as Commonwealth events kick off in Antigua and Barbuda’
Commonwealth Youth Forum
At the University of the West Indies, the 14th Commonwealth Youth Forum opened with a challenge to turn bold, evidence-based ideas into practical action that improves young people’s lives.
More than 300 national youth delegates from five Commonwealth regions joined ministers, senior officials and partners for the three-day gathering. Under the theme, Investing in Youth Agency: Co-Creating Pathways Towards Shared Prosperity, the Forum placed young people at the heart of discussions on partnerships and economic growth.
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Commonwealth Women’s Forum
The fifth Commonwealth Women’s Forum brought a focus on women’s leadership, economic empowerment and equal opportunity to the CHOGM programme. Hosted at the American University of Antigua, the opening day’s programme included a high-level discussion on women in leadership and a session on ending violence against women and girls. Her Majesty Queen Camilla delivered a keynote address, urging collective action to end violence against women and girls and stronger support for survivors.
Over three days, the Forum’s discussions will explore practical ways to advance gender equality and ensure women’s voices inform decisions at the highest level.
- Read Commonwealth Women’s Forum Opening Remarks by Deputy Secretary-General (Corporate) Tania Baumann
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Commonwealth Business Forum
Earlier in the morning, the Secretary-General addressed business leaders at the opening of the Investment Summit of the Commonwealth Business Forum at the Sticky Wicket, on the Coolidge Cricket Ground. She urged everyone, leaders and CEOs, to join the Commonwealth’s grand partnership, built on common goals and strategies.
In the afternoon, His Majesty King Charles III joined Commonwealth leaders and business executives at the Summit to explore trade, investment and sustainable growth. Heads of Government presented their investment-ready projects as listed on the Commonwealth Investment Platform. There are currently 28 Commonwealth countries who have their projects listed, collectively valued at almost US$53 billion. These conversations will continue at the Leaders’ Breakfast on Jumby Bay Island on Wednesday, 4 November.
- Find out more about the Commonwealth Business Forum
Commonwealth People’s Forum
The Commonwealth People’s Forum brought together civil society to discuss policy across the Commonwealth. Hosted at the American University of Antigua, discussions focused on people-centred governance and some of the most pressing issues facing communities, including climate justice, economic inclusion and freedom of expression. There was a particular emphasis on small and vulnerable states, women and young people.
- Find out more about the Commonwealth People’s Forum
CFAMM
Foreign Affairs Ministers met in St John’s for the 27th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), chaired by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, Hon. Everly Paul Chet Greene.
Ministers and heads of delegation were tasked with adopting the CHOGM 2026 Communiqué ahead of its endorsement by leaders, as attention turned to advancing Commonwealth interests beyond the summit.
- Foreign Ministers determined to promote Commonwealth interests beyond CHOGM 2026
- Read the State of the Commonwealth 2026 report, presented at CFAMM
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One Commonwealth Night Concert
The One Commonwealth Night, ‘Many voices. One Commonwealth.’ brought hundreds of people to the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium for music, food and dance. The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Rt Hon Gaston Browne, and Sir Idris Elba opened the concert and welcomed concertgoers to a night of music under the Antiguan stars.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey– who chose to sit with the young people on the field and not in the stadium suites – said that the transformed Commonwealth begins with how we prepare young people for a fast-changing world and that 100 million young people need digital skills to do the jobs of tomorrow, and to start businesses that will change the world.
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Catch up with stories from Day 2
Press releases
2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum opens with challenge to turn bold ideas into action
Foreign Ministers determined to promote Commonwealth interests beyond CHOGM 2026
News and stories
CBC: ‘Commonwealth secretary-general pitches group as 'alternative' to U.S. trade’
Inter Press Service: ‘The Commonwealth Has 2.7 Billion Reasons to Act’ (op-ed by the Hon. Shirley Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth)
Livestream
Tomorrow’s agenda
Day 3 will mark the official opening of CHOGM 2026, with His Majesty King Charles III, Commonwealth Secretary General, the Hon. Shirley Botchwey and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressing the opening ceremony. Later in the day, leaders will discuss shared priorities, including trade, investment and building resilience, under the theme Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.
Follow #CHOGM2026 on social media for the latest updates.
CHOGM 2026 hub See photos on Flickr CHOGM news
