Commonwealth Local Government Forum

CHOGM 2024

07 October 2024

 

In just under a month, the 56 Commonwealth Heads of Government will come together in Apia, Samoa. The first time they will have held their biennial meeting in a Pacific island state. Alongside the formal intergovernmental meetings, Commonwealth organisations and people from across the Commonwealth will be attending various forums, meetings and events; contributing to a Commonwealth dialogue on the theme of One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth and seeking to raise issues of concern at the highest level.

Voice of local government

This is an important moment for CLGF to ensure that the voice of local government is reflected in Commonwealth policy making at the highest level. Our own Conference in November 2023 had the theme of building local resilience and highlighted the important frontline role of local government in building more resilient communities, particularly in the fight against climate change. We also emphasised the importance of adequate resourcing at the local level where implementation takes place.

Side event on sustainable urbanisation

CLGF will be represented by a small delegation comprising the Chairperson, Mayor Bernard Wagner, and the Secretary General, Lucy Slack. In addition to profiling the work of CLGF across the Commonwealth. CLGF is part of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative, and collectively we have been working with partners (CAP, CAA, CEC, ACU, in cooperation with The King’s Foundation and the Government of Rwanda and Samoa) to promote the importance of multi-level and multi-sectoral partnerships in achieving sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth. In Samoa we will be running a side event focusing on the implementation of the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation which was adopted by Heads of Government at their last meeting. We would encourage members to recommend that their delegation travelling to Samoa should try to attend this on 23 October at 09.00 in the Court Building.

 

Additionally, CLGF will be attending the Women’s Forum; Business Forum and other official side events, with a number of speaking opportunities to emphasise the importance of local government in empowering local communities and upholding Commonwealth values. As one of the seven Associated Commonwealth organisations, CLGF is accredited to the CHOGM and can also observe some of the official ministerial meetings.

Addressing the foreign ministers

On Saturday 26 October, there will be an opportunity for the Associated Organisations to address Foreign Ministers directly. As a group we are keen to strengthen our partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, particularly in implementation and this will be the focus of our intervention building on previous submissions.

 

CHOGM is a key date in the Commonwealth calendar to set the strategic direction for the organisation and a chance for CLGF to ensure that the local dimension is on the agenda. For more information, go to the Commonwealth Secretariat website.

 

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