As many of our members will be aware, 2024 will see the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) take place in Samoa, the first time it will be hosted by one of the Pacific small island states.

Reflecting the role of local government

The theme of CHOGM this year is One resilient common future: transforming our Common Wealth and the agenda will look at resilience and resourcing holistically with a focus on resilient people, society, economy and of course environment. This will resonate with many of our members who attended our Conference in Kigali where we also discussed resilience and the role of local Government, and I would urge all members to speak to their governments about ensuring that the discussions at CHOGM reflect the crucial role that local government plays in ensuring resilience and prosperity for all. The Kigali Declaration set out our aims in full.

CLGF is recognised by the Commonwealth Secretariat as an Associated Commonwealth Organisation, which means that we have the opportunity to participate in the preparatory meetings for the CHOGM and also to have a small delegation in Samoa.

Closer partnership working for implementation

Together with the other Associated Organisations, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Association, the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators, the Commonwealth Education Trust, Commonwealth Games Federation, and the Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists, CLGF is calling for the Commonwealth to recognise the role of our organisations, and to work more closely with us to implement Commonwealth policies and priorities.  We had the chance to share a paper setting this out and on behalf of the AOs, CLGF’s Secretary General addressed the Senior Officials meeting at Marlborough House on 3 September to reinforce this message.

Challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change

The presentation was also an opportunity  to highlight the important work that CLGF in partnership with CAA, CAP, ACU, CEC, The Kings Foundation and the Government of Rwanda have been doing to highlight the need for the Commonwealth to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and the climate crisis in urban areas. Following the adoption of the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation in the Commonwealth in Kigali at the last CHOGM in 2022, the partners will be holding a side event at CHOGM24 to review implementation, share good practice, and to propose ways of strengthening partnerships across the Commonwealth’s network to support practical action on the ground.

In this regard, CLGF is looking to build on and expand its existing programmes and work, as well as respond to the priorities of the CSCN members. One crucial priority for CLGF members is access to adequate resources for sustainable development and this will be a focus for us in 2024.

Mayor Wagner, Chairperson of CLGF and the Secretary General, Lucy Slack, will be travelling to Samoa for the CHOGM to represent local government. Please look out for a dedicated briefing on this which will be shared with members shortly, suggesting ways in which you can make sure that the delegation travelling from your country can support our priorities and raise the voice of local government in Samoa.