During two impactful days at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali championed Guyana’s priorities in climate action, biodiversity conservation, and reforming the international financial system, while backing a historic step towards reparatory justice.
This year’s CHOGM brought together leaders from 53 Commonwealth nations to address critical global challenges. Among the summit’s key outcomes was a groundbreaking commitment to advance on reparatory justice, marking the first time the Commonwealth has formally agreed to address historical injustices—a milestone for the organisation.
CARICOM leaders, including President Ali, were instrumental in encouraging the Commonwealth to tackle this sensitive subject.
“We made it clear that we must not ignore the injustices of the past, and we have to find a way forward that respects the fact that those injustices have consequences up to this day,” President Ali told the News Room.
“While we do this, we must also stand tall as equal partners in the Commonwealth and recognise that we can shape a future crafted and owned by all our members.”
He added: “This is a difficult topic, and the fact that we have agreed to move forward is a tribute to all of the leaders.
“I was impressed by the seriousness with which all leaders approached this issue. This fills me with hope that, although the conversations ahead will be challenging, they will lead to meaningful outcomes that benefit people across the Commonwealth.”
President Ali also underscored the importance of international leadership in forest conservation, securing a commitment to these goals in the summit’s communique and leader statement. Several leaders expressed appreciation for Guyana’s role in co-chairing the Carbon Markets Working Group of the Forests and Climate Leadership Partnership (FCLP) alongside the United Kingdom and Ghana.
Highlighting Guyana’s leadership in climate and biodiversity, President Ali updated his fellow leaders on Guyana’s plans to launch the Global Biodiversity Alliance and to host the Global Biodiversity Summit in 2025.
He emphasised the pressing need for global action on biodiversity and reiterated his support for reform in the international financial architecture, including the Bridgetown Initiative championed by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley to ensure fairer financial solutions for developing nations.
At a formal dinner hosted by His Majesty the King, President Ali was honored to toast His Majesty King Charles III. He praised the King’s enduring dedication to amplifying often-overlooked voices and his willingness to lead on complex yet essential conversations.
On the summit’s second day, President Ali joined the Samoan community of Kovoli in a vibrant cultural ceremony celebrating Guyanese heritage.
“You will always be part of the global Guyanese family,” he warmly told the community members.
Reflecting on Samoa’s role as host, President Ali emphasised the urgency of climate action for small island developing states, noting, “Holding CHOGM in Samoa reminds us all of the critical urgency of climate action, particularly for small island states facing existential risks.”
The summit’s communique encapsulated these shared commitments, with leaders uniting on climate, biodiversity, reparatory justice, and global equity. President Ali expressed his confidence in the Commonwealth as a partnership of equals, underscoring that mutual respect is key to addressing global issues collectively.
President Ali also expressed gratitude to outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, recognising her leadership through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and various threats to democracy within the Commonwealth, notably her strong defense of Guyana’s electoral process in 2020.
He extended a warm welcome to the incoming Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana, praising her dedication and looking forward to her leadership.
President Ali also welcomed the announcement of Antigua and Barbuda as the host of the next CHOGM, which he said would strengthen the Commonwealth’s partnership into the future.
