2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Difference between revisions
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Leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.<ref name=kigali/> |
Leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.<ref name=kigali/> |
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There is expected to be an attempt by the United Kingdom to deny [[Patricia Scotland]] a second term as [[Commonwealth Secretary-General]] |
There is expected to be an attempt by the United Kingdom to deny [[Patricia Scotland]] a second term as [[Commonwealth Secretary-General]]<ref>{{cite news |title=UK fronts Kenya’s Amina in Commonwealth top job |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/UK-fronts-Amina-in-Commonwealth-top-job/4552908-5465404-r08b7pz/index.html |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=[[The East African]] |date=22 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521031747/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/UK-fronts-Amina-in-Commonwealth-top-job/4552908-5465404-r08b7pz/index.html|archive-date=24 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The British government rejected an attempt in 2020 to automatically appoint Scotland to a second term and has reportedly lost confidence in her due to allegations about her leadership style and spending while in office. [[Kenya]]n defence minister [[Monica Juma]] has been nominated for the position of Secretary-General by Kenyan president [[Uhuru Kenyatta]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Lady Scotland faces challenge for top Commonwealth role |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/aug/31/lady-scotland-faces-challenge-for-top-commonwealth-role |access-date=7 September 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=31 August 2021}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 04:28, 7 September 2021
| 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Host country |  Rwanda |
| Dates | TBA |
| Venue(s) | Kigali Convention Centre |
| Cities | Kigali |
| Chair | Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda |
| Follows | 2018 |
| Precedes | TBD |
| Key points | |
Election of Secretary-General, post-COVID-19 recovery | |
The 2021 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, also known as CHOGM, will be the 26th Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations. The meeting was originally scheduled for 26–27 June 2020 preceded by various fora between 22–25 June, but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new date had been announced as the week of 21 June 2021,[1] but was again postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Background
The summit is scheduled to be held in Rwanda. The meeting was originally expected to be held in Malaysia[3] but the decision of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak not to attend CHOGM 2018 due to political uncertainty at home[4] meant that he was unable to formally propose Malaysia as host.[5] It was announced that Commonwealth leaders had accepted Rwanda's offer to host the meeting instead of Fiji which had also made an offer.[5] It will be the first Commonwealth Summit held in a country that is not a former British colony or dominion or the United Kingdom itself.
On 21 April 2020 it was announced by Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Patricia Scotland that CHOGM 2020 has been postponed until at least 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The rescheduled event is still to be held in Kigali.[6][7] On 8 May, the CHOGM 2021 was postponed by President Kagame and Patricia Scotland a second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][8]
Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009 despite the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s (CHRI) finding that “the state of governance and human rights in Rwanda does not satisfy Commonwealth standards”, and that it “does not therefore qualify for admission”. At the time, CHRI commented that: "It does not make sense to admit a state that already does not satisfy Commonwealth standards. This would tarnish the reputation of the Commonwealth and confirm the opinion of many people and civic organisations that the leaders of its governments do not really care for democracy and human rights, and that its periodic, solemn declarations are merely hot air."[9] CHRI,[10] Human Rights Watch,[11] and Freedom House[12] have all found that the protection of democracy and human rights in Rwanda have declined since the country joined the Commonwealth. There have been calls[13][14][15] for the Commonwealth to stand up for democracy and human rights in Rwanda at the 2021 CHOGM.
Themes and agenda
The position of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, held by the government leader of the CHOGM host country, will be transferred at the summit from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to the President of Rwanda, who will hold the post until the 27th CHOGM to be held in Samoa and which was initially scheduled for 2022.[16]
The theme for the meeting is ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’. Five sub-themes have been identified for discussion: Governance and Rule of Law, ICT & Innovation, Youth, Environment and Trade.[17]
Leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.[17]
There is expected to be an attempt by the United Kingdom to deny Patricia Scotland a second term as Commonwealth Secretary-General[18] The British government rejected an attempt in 2020 to automatically appoint Scotland to a second term and has reportedly lost confidence in her due to allegations about her leadership style and spending while in office. Kenyan defence minister Monica Juma has been nominated for the position of Secretary-General by Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta.[19]
References
- ^ "CHOGM: Commonwealth heads of government meeting to hold June 2021". Guardian (Nigeria). 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth heads of government talks postponed due to COVID-19". The Straits Times. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Malaysia to host 26th CHOGM in 2020". Malaysiakini. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "British envoy hopes Prime Minister will be at Leaders Retreat in London". The Star. 10 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ a b "With 8yr Membership, Rwanda To Host Commonwealth Summit 2020". KT Press. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ "CHOGM 2020 postponed over coronavirus pandemic". The New Times. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Controversial Commonwealth boss has term extended as CHOGM is delayed indefinitely". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Kagire, Edmund (8 May 2021). "What President Kagame Said About The Postponement Of CHOGM 2021". KT Press. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Rwanda's application for membership, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative" (PDF). Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Rwanda, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Human Rights Watch, Rwanda country page". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Freedom House, Rwanda country profile". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "The Commonwealth must call for reforms in Rwanda, African Arguments". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "My story proves Rwanda's lack of respect for good governance and human rights, Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, The Guardian 1 June 2021". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "The dictator who fooled us, Ian Birrell". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Our History". The Commonwealth. Commonwealth of Nations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Rwanda Confirms Hosting Of CHOGM In 2020". East African Business Week. 25 September 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- ^ "UK fronts Kenya's Amina in Commonwealth top job". The East African. 22 February 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 21 May 2020 suggested (help) - ^ Wintour, Patrick (31 August 2021). "Lady Scotland faces challenge for top Commonwealth role". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2021.