King to tell world leaders at Commonwealth summit that unity is their strength
The King is expected to tell world leaders that unity is their strength, enabling them to tackle the “demands of our time”, when he officially opens a major Commonwealth summit for the first time.Charles will address presidents and prime ministers when he launches the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Samoa on Friday, saying “all nations are equal in this unique and voluntary association” which “is committed to developing free and democratic societies”.The event will be a milestone moment for the UK’s head of state, who is expected to highlight the purpose and strengths of the “family of...
King Charles acknowledges ‘painful’ history amid calls for slavery reparations at Commonwealth summit
(CNN) — Britain’s King Charles III has told world leaders that “none of us can change the past” but that nations can commit to finding “creative ways to right inequalities that endure,” as calls grow for reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade.
Commonwealth should become a trade bloc and invite Ukraine to join, says new report
A major new report has proposed turning the Commonwealth into a trade and security bloc and inviting Ukraine to join.Ahead of the biannual Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Samoa next week, the think tank Policy Exchange has produced a report to revitalise the international club of nations.The report, which has cross-party support in the Commons and has been backed by former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Australia's ex-foreign minister Alexander Downer, comes with exclusive polling revealing public support for the plans.According to the polling, more than three in five (63 per cent) of UK adults believe...
Starmer remains opposed to apology for slavery at major Commonwealth summit
Sir Keir Starmer remains opposed to apologising for the UK’s historical role in slavery, Downing Street has said, and talks of reparations are “not on the agenda” for a major meeting of Commonwealth leaders this week.The Prime Minister will travel to Samoa this week for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), amid mounting pressure from the leaders of Caribbean nations to pay reparations for the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.Labour MPs have also reportedly called for the Prime Minister to address the calls as he attends the summit on the Pacific island nation.The Government’s position on...
Focus on gender inequity as Commonwealth summit begins in Samoa
(Reuters) - A meeting of Commonwealth countries began in Samoa on Monday with a focus on the income inequity, violence and structural discrimination faced by women, described by Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland as a "plague in our world".
‘Doctor’s orders’ curtailing aim to visit all Commonwealth nations, says Charles
The King’s “lifelong aspiration” is to visit all 56 Commonwealth nations but its ever-expanding membership – and doctor’s orders – have thwarted his efforts.Charles spoke about his ambition to travel to around a dozen countries missing from his list during a dinner he hosted with the Queen for Commonwealth leaders.In a speech to those attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Samoa, the King said: “It remains a lifelong aspiration to have visited all the countries of the Commonwealth – although nowadays it seems to be a race against our happily increasing numbers – as well as...