The Leaders of Commonwealth member states convened at Marlborough House, the Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, to meet with HM King Charles III ahead of his Coronation. Following the meeting with the King, the leaders of the 56 member states held a private discussion concerning matters of mutual interest, including initiatives aimed at empowering young people, as 2023 is the designated Commonwealth Year of Youth.
The King has expressed his strong support for the Commonwealth, referring to it as a cornerstone of his life. In 2018, Commonwealth Leaders decided that he would succeed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth, a role which he assumed after her passing in September 2022. During the meeting, the King welcomed the leaders and took a commemorative photograph with them. Later that day, the leaders attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by the King.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, praised the King’s deep connection to the Family of Nations demonstrated by his meeting with Commonwealth Leaders at Marlborough House. The Secretary-General further observed that the Commonwealth is growing in size, scale and influence, with the addition of Togo and Gabon’s leaders attending their first Commonwealth Leaders meeting. At the meeting, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to investing in the 1.5 billion young people across the 56 nations, ensuring the continued strengthening of the Commonwealth family.
The President of Rwanda, His Excellency Paul Kagame, who serves as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, also addressed the meeting, welcoming the leaders of the two newest Commonwealth countries and paying tribute to the new Commonwealth Head. His Highness Tuimalealiifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, the Head of State of Samoa, who will assume the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office in 2024, was also in attendance.
The Commonwealth Secretariat hosted a gathering for the spouses, partners, and invited guests of Commonwealth Heads of Government, focused on accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer and addressing challenges hindering progress towards this goal across the Commonwealth. The spouses and partners in attendance pledged to advocate and take action in their respective countries.
The year 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which reaffirms the values, principles, and aspirations of the Commonwealth. Additionally, 2023 has been designated as the Commonwealth Year of Youth and the Commonwealth Year of Peace.
Source: Government Press