The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a pivotal agenda-setting and decision-making space for the diverse community of 53 Commonwealth countries. With varying economic statuses and vast oceans between them, our leaders meet every two years to explore how they can pool their resources and innovations to transform joint challenges into exciting opportunities. 

In June 2020, Rwanda will host the meeting. Connected by similar traditions, language, governance and legal structures, presidents, prime ministers and monarchs, from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, will travel to Kigali to reaffirm their common values and agree actions and policies to improve the lives of all their citizens.

Ahead of the meeting, ministers of parliament, youth and gender activists, and representatives from civil society and commerce will convene special forums to ensure the key concerns and perspectives of women, young people, businesses and non-governmental organisations are considered in leader’s decision-making. 

In Kigali, Commonwealth leaders will convene under the overarching theme ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.’ Leaders will be building on CHOGM 2018 outcomes which were inspired by the theme ‘Towards a Common Future’.  

Leaders of member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities. They provide a vision for boosting development, and improving the lives and well-being of their citizens. Every two years, they meet at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to discuss topical issues affecting the Commonwealth and the wider world. 

The last CHOGM was hosted by the United Kingdom in London in April 2018. The next will be hosted by Rwanda in Kigali, in June 2020.