Commonwealth foreign ministers have met in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, to consider responses to declining development assistance, hostile actions against member countries and emerging technologies, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The 27th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, chaired by Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister Everly Paul Chet Greene, was also tasked with adopting the draft CHOGM 2026 Communiqué for endorsement by leaders.
According to a Commonwealth Secretariat release, ministers examined how cooperation could strengthen economic and climate resilience while upholding democracy and good governance.
In his opening remarks, Greene recalled commitments made when foreign ministers met at Lancaster House in London in March to uphold Commonwealth values, increase the organisation’s visibility and deepen relations with strategic partners.
“The Commonwealth is an important platform for dialogue, collaboration and opportunity. Through partnerships and shared action, we can build resilience, unlock economic opportunity, and ensure that the Commonwealth continues to deliver meaningful benefits for our people,” he said.
Greene urged ministers to support the CHOGM theme, “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth”, and demonstrate the organisation’s relevance to its citizens.
“Let us make the most of this moment of opportunity for the Commonwealth and show our people that they matter,” he said.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said the meeting would address challenges confronting member countries, including responses to hostile actions and strategies to close funding gaps for essential social programmes.
“In today’s world, there are few certainties left. But one thing we can be sure of is that the Commonwealth family is a place where all voices are heard, and that the time for action is now,” she told ministers.
Botchwey said initiatives being launched during CHOGM would complement national programmes and existing Commonwealth assistance, with expanded responses intended to support transformation.
She described this year’s summit as shorter but more intensive and said it had been designed around member countries’ priorities.
“Inspired by our values and our history of problem-solving, we are looking to your leadership and support to deliver transformative change for our 2.7 billion citizens,” she said.
Ministers and heads of delegation received a report covering the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’s work during 2024–2026.
They also received reports from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation and Commonwealth of Learning, together with contributions from the Business, People’s, Youth and Women’s Forums.
At an afternoon retreat, ministers considered how they could advance the Commonwealth’s shared interests and values amid international uncertainty.
Discussions addressed declining development cooperation, unilateral attacks on member countries and the implications of rapidly evolving technologies for resilience and prosperity.
Ministers also examined stronger mechanisms for building consensus, cooperation across international platforms and reforms to global governance, alongside the relationship between democratic institutions, economic resilience and climate resilience.
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