From 24 to 26 October, Prime Minister The Hon Anthony Albanese MP attended the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa. He was joined by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs. It was the Prime Minister’s first visit to Samoa as Prime Minister.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth and Australia was proud to support Samoa as host of the first CHOGM held in a Pacific island country. It was also His Majesty King Charles III’s first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth.
The biennial CHOGM brings together delegations from more than 50 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific to discuss how Commonwealth members are addressing global challenges. This year, climate change and the sustainable management of our oceans were a focus for leaders.
Prime Minister Albanese and Pacific leaders marked the first deployment of the new Pacific Police Support Group, a multi-country police capability, able to help respond to emergencies and assist with major events at the request of Pacific countries.
The 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Leaders’ Communique (PDF 300 KB) is available online.
While in Apia, Prime Minister Albanese met with the Prime Minister of Samoa, the Hon Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer.
In partnership with Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Albanese announced the two countries’ intention to negotiate the Australia–UK Climate and Energy Partnership and grant recipients under the Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Program.