The flags of all 54 Commonwealth nations are now flying over Kigali, signalling that the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM2022) has arrived. Starting on June 20th, Heads of Government and over 5,000 delegates will assemble in Kigali to participate in the Summit. After two postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is finally time for us to embrace it and show what Rwanda is capable of. This year’s Summit will mark many firsts – the first CHOGM since the world was forever changed by the pandemic, the first CHOGM to be held in Africa in 15 years, and the first CHOGM to take place in a country with no colonial links to the United Kingdom. As Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, I also want to say: “London, welcome to Kigali!” With high-level personalities like His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and representatives from the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Secretariat attending the Summit, the United Kingdom will be represented at their highest levels. Rwanda has come a long way, going literally from grass to grace. What first started as a dream turned into a reality and has now become a journey to a bright future. A few years ago, it would have been impossible for Rwanda to host a global event on such a scale. Today, the infrastructure is in place, the venues are immaculate, and guests can expect a warm reception from a united and happy nation, a nation that knows and humbly assumes the heavy responsibility that comes with welcoming the Commonwealth family into our home and the responsibility of leading the association as Chair-In-Office until 2024. Several events will be organised besides the Meeting of the Heads of governments, such as Forums dedicated to Business, the Youth, or Women or the Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. I have no doubt that delegates will enjoy a seamless organisation and an atmosphere focused on delivering tangible outcomes. Beyond the conference rooms, Kigali will be abuzz with side events such as fashion shows promoting Rwandan and African designers, street festivals, networking opportunities at Kigali’s new 18-hole golf course, and even a cricket festival at Gahanga stadium. The conference theme is “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, innovating, transforming”. Particular focus will be paid to economic development, expanding intra-Commonwealth trade, youth development, tackling social inequality and climate action – objectives close to Rwanda’s heart. So, let us turn our focus to delivering tangible benefits and change to the 2.5 billion citizens of the Commonwealth and making CHOGM 2022 a memorable summit for all participants. The writer is the High Commissioner for Rwanda to the UK.
