Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has joined other heads of governments of member countries of the Common- wealth as the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) officially opened today in Apia.
The 27th CHOGM, under the theme ‘One Resilient Future; Transforming the Commonwealth’, started on Monday with preliminary meetings and culminates in the CHOGM-proper on 25 and 26 October 2024. This is the first time the CHOGM is being held in the Pacific.
Prime Minister Marape, departing Port Moresby around 8am on Thursday, 24 October 2024 with his wife, Mrs Rachael Marape, and a ministerial delegation, arrived in Apia the same day where he held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines with President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
He acknowledged the work Samoa has done in coordinating the 27th CHOGM and bringing together 56 member nations to the Pacific, and applauded Sa- moa for hosting this massive event.
“On behalf of the government and people of Papua New Guinea, I congratulate you, Prime Minister Fiame-Naomi Mata’afa, your government, and the people of Samoa, on the leadership taken in charting the ambitions of the Commonwealth with a Pacific flavor.
“This is indeed a milestone achievement not only for Samoa but for the Pacific region – our shared home.
“I assure you of PNG’s support to your leadership and stewardship of the CHOGM and wish you well in the discharge of your duties,’’ Prime Minister Mar- ape said upon arrival on Thursday.
Today, the Prime Minister attended a meeting with the business community of Samoa in the morning, a bilateral meeting with the new prime minister of Singapore Hon. Lawrence Wong soon after, and joined other Commonwealth leaders to participate in the official opening ceremony of the 27th CHOGM at the Tuanaimato Conference Center, which was executed in true Pacific style.
Speaking at the event was head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III; Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataáfa; Secretary- General of Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland; and Outgoing Chair-In-Office, Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
PM Marape then joined King Charles and the leaders at the King’s Lunch, be- fore sitting in another bilateral meeting with Vanuatu Prime Minister Hon. Char- lot Salwai Tabimasmas to sign a framework agreement between PNG and Vanuatu. The Prime Minister also attended the Executive Session at Samoa’s National Parliament House, the Moata Fono-Samoan, where he delivered to CHOGM leaders PNG’s stance on the values of resilience and sharing the Commonwealth.
PM Marape also refreshed his invitation to King Charles to visit PNG next year either on the opening date for PNG’s higher courts complex or the 50th Independence anniversary. The King is referring the confirmation to his office subject to his health and schedules.
PM Marape also used the opportunity to invite President Kagame to visit PNG as part of the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations, which was accepted by the Rwandan leader.
Today, Friday, PM Marape is also attending a dinner hosted by King Charles at the historic Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in Apia following the Leaders Retreat in the afternoon.
This is PM Marape’s first attendance at the CHOGM since holding office in 2019.
The prime ministerial delegation accompanying him include Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Justin Tkatchenko; Minister for International Trade & Investment, Hon. Richard Maru; Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Jelta Wong; and Minister for Community Development, Youth & Sports, Hon. Jason Peter.
A specific CHOGM Leaders spouses’ program has been included, one which Mrs Marape is participating in with other leaders’ spouses.
Prime Minister Marape will depart Apia on Sunday, 27th October 2024 and expected back in Port Moresby that afternoon.