Vice President to Samoa to attend Commonwealth Heads of Govt. Meeting

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, on Sunday, has departed on an official visit to Samoa.

As per the President’s Office, the visit is being undertaken to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024 (CHOGM 2024).

During the visit, VP Latheef will participate in numerous events and deliver remarks and interventions.

He is accompanied by a high-level government delegation.

CHOGM 2024 – scheduled to take place from October 21^st to October 26^th – provides a platform for Commonwealth nations to address global economic, environmental, and security challenges, and to collaborate on building resilience, enhancing trade, and fostering a sustainable future.

CHOGM 2024 will also serve as a platform for dialogue on measures related to sustainable development and climate change, ahead of the 29th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 29).

Notably, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met with Commonwealth's Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in May, on the sidelines of the fourth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference during which he urged the Commonwealth to expand its role in supporting SIDS – the countries positioned at the forefront of multiple global crises, notably climate change.

Commonwealth is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire from which it developed. They have shared goals like development, democracy and peace. 

Maldives left Commonwealth on October 13, 2013, during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, which accused the organization of attempting to exert influence over the domestic affairs of the country.

Maldives formally rejoined Commonwealth with the support of all member states on February 1, 2020.