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The Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 53 independent and sovereign states, announced on Tuesday that it will host its next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda next year. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland announced the CHOGM 2020 in a video message today.

The meeting will take place at the Kigali Convention Centre during the week starting 22 June. The theme for the meeting is ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.’ According to the statement released today, five sub-themes have been identified for discussion. They are Governance and Rule of Law, ICT & Innovation, Youth, Energy and Environment, and Trade.  

The announcement comes following the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth in June 2019. The modern Commonwealth came into existence 70 years ago with the London Declaration, which was signed on 26 April, 1949. The association comprises countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse. All the members subscribe to the Commonwealth’s values and principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter.

Leaders from all 53 Commonwealth countries are expected to attend the meeting, which will build on progress since CHOGM 2018 in London. Leaders are expected to discuss various ways the Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.

“The distinctive aspect of CHOGM 2020 will be connectivity including what young people can do with technology to create vibrant societies and develop our economies,” said President Kagame, adding that it will be a great pleasure to welcome leaders of the Commonwealth to Kigali. “We will work hard to make everybody feel Rwanda is an extension of their home.”

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. The Chair-in-Office is the leader of the Commonwealth country that hosts a CHOGM. The two-year role comes into effect at the start of the CHOGM. Kagame will be the next Chair-in-Office for the 2020-2022 period.   

“I think the youth demographic we have now is a real opportunity,” said Secretary-General Scotland. “It’s going to be a very exciting chance for us to enable our young people to develop and deploy the skills they need so they can fulfil their potential. By connecting, innovating and transforming, the Commonwealth opens up scope for mobilising the talent of people of all ages and backgrounds.”