Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has today commended Samoa on successfully hosting the 27th  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), as he reaffirmed the Common- wealth’s place among the world’s families of nations.

The Prime Minister made the remarks as he prepared to depart this afternoon, (Sunday, 27 October 2024) from Apia for Port Moresby.

He said, “I offer my highest commendations to Prime Minister, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataáfa, her government and the people of Samoa on successfully hosting this Commonwealth meeting.”

Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the importance and value of the Common- wealth association, which he said continues to safeguard and promote ideals important to its member countries around the world, besides the economic significance of combining 56 nations as a block.

“The Commonwealth has found its place again in the world’s family of nations. We have many blocks of nations in the world, whether political or economic; some based on ideology, some based on commerce and trade, others based on region.

“But this family of nations, which covers a good part of the world, shares ideals of democracy, free trade, and promotes equality and equity.

“Most of us come from a shared colonial past, but from Papua New Guinea’s perspective, we say ‘past is in the past’. We look forward to constructing a future for individuals, families and our people.

“The Commonwealth family of nations has over 2.6 billion people. The combined economic volume of these nations equals to $20 trillion making it a massive economic block in terms of people and economy, globally speaking,” said PM Marape.

On his thoughts and perspectives of the meeting, the Prime Minister said the 27th CHOGM provided an opportunity for many countries with similar colonial background to look back on their past, while the members made recommitments to move into the future.

“My own experience in this recently-concluded CHOGM was that it was seen from a context of our colonial past, but recultivated from the perspective of working toward the future by embracing contemporary issues of the world like climate change, economic and trade barriers, regional and inter-regional conflicts taking place globally.

“This block of nations emerged stronger after the Apia meeting to talk about our fight for equity and equality of people, fair trade, and leaving no one be- hind, which is the United Nations charter. Right behind the United Nations, the Commonwealth exist as the second biggest block of nations of diversity blending into one.”

The Prime Minister highlighted Papua New Guinea’s stance, delivered to the 27th CHOGM.

“Papua New Guinea spoke on the theme of reflecting the diversity of humanity. We have over 800 languages and many tribes within these language groups. Despite our vast diversity, we are able to hold together 49 years on since gaining Independence and together facing our 50 years of nationhood next year 2025.

“The Commonwealth, in every sense, represents a similar diversity on the global scale. Fifty-six (56) nations from all continents and areas of Planet Earth coming together in the goal of sharing beliefs and value of democracy, free trade and equality of people, irrespective of religious preferences, individual cultures and differences, race and colour, by embracing our diversity and living together as the human race on Planet Earth,” said Prime Minister Marape.

The Prime Minister arrived in Samoa on Thursday, 24 October 2024, joined the leaders for the opening of the CHOGM and meetings on Friday, 25 October 2024, and departed today, Sunday 27 October 2024. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko attended Saturday’s session on the Prime Minister’s behalf during his observance of Sabbath.