Antigua and Barbuda's new National Performing Arts Centre – a restored cinema in the capital St John's – was yesterday's welcoming venue for the official opening ceremony of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
A moving and purposeful start to CHOGM2026
More than 850 people attended the colourful ceremony addressed by His Majesty, King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth. In a moving speech, the King said:
"The Commonwealth of today is not merely a product of the past - it is a response to the world of today. Its vocation is more compelling than ever."
Standing alongside The King was Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Gaston Browne, incoming Chair and host of CHOGM 2026. The Prime Minister called for a Commonwealth that gives every member a voice, creates opportunities for young people and allows every nation a fair chance to prosper.
In her speech, Commonwealth Secretary-General the Hon. Shirley Botchwey spoke of "living in a world sorely in need of the Commonwealth spirit of always finding a way".
Describing CHOGM 2026 as a summit of action where business and government join forces, she said:
"Our goal is to build a new model of partnership and co-operation that is capable of responding to the scale of the challenge we face; to avoid the mistakes of the past by making our collective interest the sum of our individual national interest."
This year's summit will be defined by investment, partnership and opportunity, with new pathways to promote prosperity and boost trade among Commonwealth countries. Leaders' formal sessions will culminate today (Wednesday 4 November) in the traditional CHOGM Retreat – an opportunity for leaders hold informal, frank discussions.
“When we leave St. John's, let us leave as champions of our Commonwealth, ready to carry forward what we have started this week, and to put its full strength to work; making progress our people can feel and creating opportunities they can share."
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The King’s Reception for New Heads
Each CHOGM, the Head of the Commonwealth holds a reception for new Commonwealth heads of government and state. This year, HRH King Charles III (centre) was joined by, from left to right:
- HE John Mahama, President of Ghana
- The Rt Hon. Andy Burnham MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Dr the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, Prime Minister of Mauritius
- The Hon. Lord Fakafanua, Prime Minister of Tonga
- The Rt Hon. Mark Carney PC, MP, Prime Minister of Canada
- Dr the Hon. Godwin Friday, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
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Heads of Government Executive Sessions
Heads of Government met formally for the first time during two sessions held on the campus of the American University of Antigua. The Hon. Shirley Botchwey, addressing Commonwealth leaders for the first time as Secretary-General, said:
"This is our opportunity to put our relationships with each other and partnerships with the private sector, charitable foundations, and high-net worth individuals to work. The package of initiatives that we are launching this week complements national programmes and our institutional support for member countries, with scaled responses that reflect our ambition for transformation."
During the first session, the Secretary-General launched her first biennial report, which highlights key achievements and reforms during her 18 months in office. In it, she pledged to deepen co-operation within the Commonwealth family of nations to strengthen democratic resilience, expand economic opportunity, respond to climate and ocean challenges and ensure that women and young people are at the heart of the Commonwealth's transformative agenda.
At the second 'open' session, leaders were joined by international development partners for moderated discussions on trade and investment, the international monetary, financial and trading systems and climate finance.
Read the Report of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, 2026
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Highlights from the Forums and Side Events
Day two of the Commonwealth Youth Forum saw HM King Charles III, , meet 60 young delegates at the Innovation Skills Challenge. Throughout the day, delegates explored issues including robotics and AI, enterprise development, the creative economy, collaboration and youth leadership, through the lenses of the Challenge’s themes of democratic participation, economic opportunity, climate resilience, wellbeing and inclusion, and digital futures.
Day two of the Commonwealth Women's Forum included parallel sessions on practical tools to help delegates counter the growing pushback against gender equality; breaking silos to build collective power; countering violence against women and girls, particularly health sector responses to gender-based violence; and strengthening accountability against digital violence. Finally, in a session on inclusive climate change and gender, an expert group of speakers, including Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom and Founder Elevate Africa shared insights on inclusive climate finance for resilience.
Later, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was among the speakers at a side event on Blue Finance and Innovation, which brought investors, governments and innovators together to boost ocean investment and conservation. The event showcased innovative, practical solutions to ocean conservation, and the Waves of Change Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition. Senior political and industry leaders discussed green shipping and boosting blue finance to conserve the ocean. It also saw the publication of new Commonwealth Secretariat resources on sea-level rise and an interim report on progress towards the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration.
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Catch up with stories and more from Day 3
Press releases
Publications
Leading Through Change: From Renewal to Results: Report of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, 2026
- The Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration: Interim High-level Progress Report
The Sea Level Rise Case Studies series
News and stories
- Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda’s opening remarks for CHOGM 2026
- Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa's opening statement for CHOGM 2026
What’s on tomorrow (Wednesday 4 November)
- Business Leaders and Heads Breakfast
- Heads' Retreat
- Spouses Programme
- Cancer Control and Health Systems Strengthening in the Commonwealth
- Foreign Ministers Lunch
- Closing Executive Session
- Closing Press Conference
- Commonwealth Youth Forum
- Commonwealth Women's Forum
- Commonwealth People's Forum
- Commonwealth Business Forum
- Adoption of the Disability Action Plan
- CHOGM 2026 Closing Reception
