The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 has ended in Rwanda with Samoa confirmed as the host and incoming Chair-in-Office of the 2024 CHOGM.

Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) issued a statement late Sunday evening to confirm the end of the conference in Rwanda and the confirmation of Samoa as the incoming host. 

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa arrived in Kigali, Rwanda early last week to attend the CHOGM which united leaders and delegations from 54 Commonwealth nations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Europe.  

Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years, hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis since 1971, added the MFAT statement. 

The last meeting was hosted by the United Kingdom in 2018, and this is the first meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the meeting for two years. 

CHOGM aims to reinforce multilateral cooperation, explore new opportunities, and tackle common challenges for the well-being of future generations. 

The theme for CHOGM 2022 was  "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming". 

The official opening of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was held at the Kigali Conference Centre last Friday with the summit hearing from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, the new Chair-In-Office and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland QC and outgoing Chair-In-Office and United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

The week-long gathering included Ministerial Meetings, Forums, side events and other activities. The official opening was followed by high-level meetings of Heads of Government which ended with a retreat on Saturday, according to the MFAT statement.

The leaders discussed important matters to the Commonwealth family of nations such as democracy, peace and governance; sustainable and inclusive development; post-COVID-19 recovery, climate crisis, new members and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat. 

On Saturday during the leaders' retreat, Samoa was confirmed as the next host for the CHOGM in 2024, said the MFAT statement. 

Fiame was accompanied by Peseta Noumea Simi, CEO Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agafili Shem Leo, CEO Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Francella Strickland, Ambassador of Samoa to Belgium and Mr Vani Vai ADC.

Samoa’s hosting of the 2024 CHOGM will be the first time a Pacific member country will host the international summit.