Faleolo International Airport, Samoa, Tuesday, 22 October 2024- His Excellency President Dr. Julius
Maada Bio has arrived in Apia, the capital of the Independent State of Samoa, to attend the 27th
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which runs from 21-26 October 2024. This
year’s CHOGM is being held under the theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our
Commonwealth.’
Upon arrival at Samoa’s Faleolo International Airport, President Bio and his delegation were warmly
received by Hon. Lautimuia Uelese Afoa Va’ai, Samoa’s Minister of Finance; Sierra Leone’s Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba; and Sierra Leone’s High
Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Morie Mayeh.
After exchanging pleasantries, the ministers briefed President Bio on the progress of the events,
including the preparations for high-level side meetings leading up to the executive sessions. The
delegation was informed that the ministerial and forum meetings were already
underway as part of the
build-up to the main CHOGM sessions.
During the reception, Samoa’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Lautimuia Uelese Afoa Va’ai, also provided the
President with insights into the local climate and weather conditions. He shared an interesting fact
about the island, explaining how many villages in Samoa have been named after African countries,
including Sierra Leone, as a symbol of global connection.
In his response, President Bio expressed his gratitude to the leadership and people of Samoa for hosting
this significant meeting despite their small population size. He expressed admiration for the island
nation, noting that this was his first visit to Samoa. He remarked that the weather there was quite
similar to that of Sierra Leone and wished the country a successful hosting of the event.
The 27th CHOGM marks a historic moment for the Commonwealth family, which represents one-third of
the global population, with 60% of its members under the age of 30. Since 1971, leaders from
Commo
nwealth nations have met biennially to discuss shared challenges and chart future paths for the
association. These meetings are hosted by different member countries on a rotational basis.
This year, the Commonwealth leaders will focus on pressing global issues, including economic recovery,
environmental sustainability, and security challenges. They will deliberate on how to strengthen
cooperation among member states to build resilience, enhance trade, foster innovation, and empower
the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people for a peaceful and sustainable future.
The meeting will also review progress made since the last CHOGM held in Rwanda in 2022, and leaders
are expected to chart a course for the coming years. Additionally, the election of the new
Commonwealth Secretary-General will be a key item on the agenda.
For further inquiries:
State House Media and Communications Unit
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency
