BY KING’S CORRESPONDENTS
APIA, SAMOA – Two king’s took centre stage when world leaders converged for the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here yesterday.
CHOGM leaders and delegates observing the national anthem.
His Majesty King Mswati III joined the United Kingdom’s King Charles III, who is the Head of the Commonwealth, at front row and was greeted by a round of applause as he entered the Taunaimato Conference Centre to take his seat alongside King Charles III. at what was a colourful opening ceremony.
His Majesty the King and Liphovela LaZuma arrived at the venue at 1100 hours and were warmly received by Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland KC.
Samoa dancers entertaining the CHOGM delegates at the opening ceremony.
King Charles was the last to enter the conference centre, accompanied by Queen Camilla.
Outgoing Rwandan President Paul Kagame handed over the chairmanship reins to Samoa’s Prime Minister Mataafa, who will lead the community of 56 nations for the next two years.
CHOGM leaders pose for a family photograph.
Among the other leaders present at the meeting were Ghana’s Nana Okofu-Addo, Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Wonie, the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Sam Maketane, the UK PM Keir Starmer, the Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and many other leaders from across Africa, the Pacific, and Caribbean countries, some of whom had sent their ministers and deputy presidents.
The Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mataafa delivering a welcome address during a dinner hosted in honour of the leaders attending CHOGM on Thursday evening.(All pics: Bawethu Sithole- State Photogray)
Samoa Prime Minister Mataafa thanked Their Majesties, leaders and many delegations that came for the meeting, saying this was a historic meeting as they were the first small island in the blue Pacific continent to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
She added that it was historic because it marked King Charles III’s first meeting as Head of the Commonwealth following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“We also gather at the time when we celebrate 75 years of the modern Commonwealth; thus, we pause to pay tribute to those who have contributed or made it what it is today, in particular the late Queen Elizabeth II, for his stellar leadership of our family but more importantly, her unifying role,” she said.
She also thanked Rwandan President Kagame for his outstanding leadership in the past two years, saying they have learnt valuable lessons that will guide them over the next two years of their chairmanship.
“We also loved the excellent and passionate leadership of the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland for the support she gave our small island states and being a friend of Samoa.
“Many of you would not stop talking about how far Samoa was. All we have to say is welcome to our reality. Now you know the lengths we as Pacific people will go to tell our story to defend our positions but, more importantly, to protect our people, our land and our way of life. Your being here already makes it a successful CHOGM in Samoa,” she said.
King Charles III then hosted the leaders and their spouses for a luncheon at his Taumeasina Island Resort, while Scotland also hosted foreign ministers at a different venue.
