Faleolo International Airport, Samoa, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has arrived in Apia, the capital of Samoa, to participate in the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The event runs from October 21 to October 26 under the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth.”
Upon arrival at Faleolo International Airport, President Bio was greeted by Hon. Lautimuia Uelese Afoa Va’ai, Samoa’s Minister of Finance; Timothy Musa Kabba, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and Dr. Morie Mayeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The ministers updated President Bio on ongoing events and preparations for upcoming high-level meetings leading to the executive sessions. Ministerial and forum meetings have already commenced as part of the build-up to the main CHOGM sessions.
During his reception, Hon. Lautimuia Uelese Afoa Va’ai briefed President Bio about local climate conditions and shared that many Samoan villages are named after African countries like Sierra Leone as a symbol of global connection.
President Bio thanked Samoa for hosting this significant meeting despite its small population size. He noted it was his first visit to Samoa and found its weather similar to that of Sierra Leone. He wished success for the event’s hosting.
The 27th CHOGM is a notable occasion for the Commonwealth family representing one-third of the global population with 60% under age 30. Since 1971, leaders from Commonwealth nations have convened biennially to discuss challenges and future directions. These meetings rotate among member countries.
This year’s discussions will focus on economic recovery, environmental sustainability, security challenges, cooperation among member states, trade enhancement, innovation fostering, and empowering young people for a sustainable future.
The meeting will review progress since the last CHOGM held in Rwanda in 2022 and plan future actions. Electing a new Commonwealth Secretary-General is also on this year’s agenda.
