News & Events

In a significant gathering at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 in Apia, Samoa, Ankita Yadav, representing the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, met with Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, Samoa’s Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development. The encounter occurred during the Women’s Forum, a key event of the CHOGM proceedings.

Minister Ale-Molio’o delivered a powerful message, emphasizing the urgent need for action on gender equality. She stressed that the forum’s purpose extended beyond mere discussion, calling for concrete steps towards change. The Minister expressed her belief in the collective power of the attendees to drive meaningful and lasting transformation across the Commonwealth and beyond.

The Women’s Forum, which concluded on 22 October 2024, was a collaborative effort between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Samoan Government. It served as a platform for women leaders, policymakers, and activists from across the Commonwealth to convene and address pressing issues facing women today. The forum aimed to chart a course for enhanced gender equality across all sectors, underlining the Commonwealth’s commitment to this crucial cause.

Read the original information here: https://thecommonwealth.org/news/chogm2024/commonwealth-womens-forum-opens-samoa-calls-stronger-action-gender-equality

Ankita Yadav, our representative from the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, recently had the opportunity to meet with Hon Myles LaRoda, Member of Parliament and Minister for Social Services, Information, and Broadcasting of The Bahamas, during the Women’s Forum at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 held in Apia, Samoa.

At the forum, government, environmental groups, and civil society experts gathered to discuss strategies for closing critical gaps in representation, data, and financing to ensure women are fully engaged in climate action—from policymaking to on-the-ground implementation.

Hon Myles K. LaRoda spoke passionately on the issue, drawing from the recent experiences of The Bahamas, which faced the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, a category five storm. He highlighted that many of those displaced by the storm were women and girls, underscoring the urgent need for gender-responsive climate action.

For more information read here: https://thecommonwealth.org/news/chogm2024/commonwealth-womens-forum-opens-samoa-calls-stronger-action-gender-equality

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 in Samoa, Ankita Yadav, our representative from the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, had the unique opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister of Tuvalu. The forum discussions centred on the critical issue of climate change, which has taken a central role in the talks, especially for Pacific nations.

Climate change emerged as a dominant theme at CHOGM. This emphasis is crucial for Pacific nations disproportionately affected by climate impacts. This was especially significant for Pacific members, with the announcement that COP 31, scheduled for 2026, will be jointly hosted by Australia and the Pacific.

During the summit, Tuvalu, Fiji, and Vanuatu launched the latest report on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, which specifically targeted Australia’s coal and gas industries. This initiative underscores the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate climate impacts. The meetings also set the groundwork for COP 29, scheduled for next month in Baku, Azerbaijan. The leaders’ communiqué stressed the necessity for enhanced climate finance to support developing nations most vulnerable to climate change.

As discussions progressed, it became evident that the Commonwealth was striving to balance environmental urgency with economic interests. There are increasing calls for more robust actions to combat the climate crisis, reflecting a collective recognition of its existential threat to many member states.