Radisson Blue and Kigali Convention Centre, the next venue of CHOGM2020. Meeting was postponed as member countries – including host Rwanda are battling Covid-19 pandemic
Commonwealth Heads of State and Government (CHOGM) that was supposed to be held on 22 to 27th June 2020 has been postponed by the commonwealth secretariat due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic until further notice.
According to the communiqué from the commonwealth,also confirmed by the Government of Rwanda the 26th CHOGM and associated events will be held in Kigali at a time to be announced in the due course.
“This decision was made in accordance with the 2005 memorandum of Understanding establishing the commonwealth secretariat on the CHOGM technical manual, as well as the precedent,” the communiqué reads.
The official statement from Commonwealth Secretariat quotes President Paul Kagame as saying; “In the coming months, every Commonwealth nation will be fully focused on combatting Covid-19 and its socio-economic impact on our people. Our organization’s deep reservoirs of solidarity and expertise will be invaluable tools as we work together globally to ensure no country is left behind. We look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth family to Kigali for CHOGM once the pandemic has been defeated.”
Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC said, “The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the course of our modern history. Lives have been lost, economies are shrinking, and livelihoods have been shattered. It is difficult to predict what the new normal will look like. We must be mindful of the risks large meetings pose to all. The current circumstances require heroic decisions. We stand together with Rwanda, and thank all our member countries and, in particular, the United Kingdom as our Chair in Office, who have suffered so grievously, for the support and commitment they have shown in these trying times. I too warmly look forward to reuniting with the Commonwealth family, face-to-face, in the beautiful country of Rwanda.”
