Rwanda to host Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2020

The Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 53 independent and sovereign states, announced last month that it will host its next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda next year. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland announced the CHOGM 2020 in a video message.

The meeting will take place at the Kigali Convention Centre during the week starting June 22nd. The theme for the meeting is ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.’ Five sub-themes have been identified for discussion. They are Governance and Rule of Law, ICT & Innovation, Youth, Energy and Environment, and Trade.

The announcement comes following the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth in June 2019. The modern Commonwealth came into existence 70 years ago with the London Declaration, which was signed on April 26th, 1949. The association comprises countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse. All the members subscribe to the Commonwealth’s values and principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter.

Leaders from all 53 Commonwealth countries are expected to attend the meeting, which will build on progress since CHOGM 2018 in London. Leaders are expected to discuss various ways the Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.