A series of significant ministerial meetings is set to commence this week, drawing together representatives from across the Commonwealth to engage in essential discussions in preparation for next month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). These high-level conversations, taking place on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, are seen as pivotal in shaping the agenda for CHOGM, scheduled to be held from 21-26 October 2024 in Samoa.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, arrived in New York on Saturday, 21 September 2024, and will remain in the city until Monday, 30 September 2024. Throughout the week, Secretary-General Scotland will be actively involved in a range of high-profile engagements, further advancing the Commonwealth’s priorities on the global stage. Among the most prominent events on her schedule are the 24th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), the 65th Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) Meeting, the Commonwealth Small States Advocacy Champions Meeting, and Climate Week NYC.
The Secretary-General’s first major engagement during her time in New York will take place on Sunday, 22 September 2024, when she delivers a keynote address at the opening ceremony of Climate Week NYC. This international event is regarded as one of the largest and most influential platforms for global climate action. In her address, Secretary-General Scotland is expected to emphasize the critical need for international cooperation in tackling the climate emergency. She will focus particularly on the vulnerabilities faced by the 25 small island developing states (SIDS) within the Commonwealth, urging global leaders to move beyond pledges and take concrete action to mitigate climate change.
In a statement made ahead of her arrival in New York, Secretary-General Scotland reiterated the urgency of these discussions. She remarked: “As world leaders gather in New York, and as Commonwealth leaders prepare for our Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, we must foster greater unity and a shared sense of purpose. With the world’s most vulnerable communities at the forefront, it is imperative that climate finance commitments are fulfilled. We need to overhaul the financial system to eliminate its inequities. We must act swiftly to reduce emissions and ensure climate justice.”
Simultaneously, on the same day as the Climate Week NYC opening, the 65th Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) will convene to discuss the preservation of core Commonwealth values, including democracy, the rule of law, and good governance. CMAG will also address recent political developments within member states and reinforce the Commonwealth’s commitment to upholding its shared principles.
Following this, on Monday, 23 September 2024, the 24th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) will take place at the United Nations Headquarters. Chaired by His Excellency Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, the meeting will focus on the preparatory steps required for CHOGM 2024. Foreign ministers will explore strategies to bolster infrastructure, governance, and resilience throughout the Commonwealth, ensuring that the organization’s efforts remain aligned with the evolving challenges faced by member states.
The Secretary-General’s engagements in New York will also include participation in the Commonwealth Small States Advocacy Champions Meeting, where leaders representing the Commonwealth’s smaller states will come together to discuss key concerns such as climate resilience and economic sustainability. These discussions will explore the unique challenges faced by small states in the global community, with a particular focus on enhancing their role and influence in international affairs.
This series of high-level engagements is expected to play a crucial role in advancing the Commonwealth’s overall agenda, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to addressing climate change, strengthening democratic governance, and promoting sustainable development. The discussions will build on the mandates established during the 2022 CHOGM and set the groundwork for the upcoming summit in Samoa.
As world leaders continue to grapple with pressing global challenges, the Commonwealth’s focus on fostering collaboration and unity among its member states remains as important as ever. The outcomes of this week’s discussions are expected to shape not only the Commonwealth’s agenda for the months ahead but also its long-term approach to addressing some of the most critical issues facing the international community.
By the end of her stay in New York, Secretary-General Scotland’s participation in these key events will have played an instrumental role in setting the stage for the Commonwealth’s continued efforts toward global leadership and advocacy, particularly in the areas of climate action, governance, and resilience.
