Antigua and Barbuda's preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will press ahead without interruption, even as the country enters a heated election campaign this April, according to Antigua.news.
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, who chairs the national CHOGM Task Force, has stressed that the current planning phase is critical and that no slowdown can be afforded. Speaking at a recent Task Force meeting, Greene urged members to remain focused and maintain momentum despite the intensifying political activity across the country.
Greene acknowledged that his duties as a candidate will draw him into the campaign, but made clear that the work of the Task Force must continue without interruption in his absence. To ensure continuity of leadership, Ambassador Anthony Liverpool has been appointed Special Advisor and will oversee Task Force meetings while Greene campaigns. Liverpool brings relevant experience from his leadership role during the successful hosting of the Small Island Developing States Conference in 2024.
Coordinator Celia Roberts-Morgan will continue to lead the CHOGM Secretariat, managing coordination across the multiple planning committees responsible for delivering the summit.
Officials have reaffirmed their commitment to what is expected to be the largest international event ever hosted by Antigua and Barbuda. The summit is scheduled for November 1–4 and will bring together heads of government and foreign ministers from across the Commonwealth, along with a series of major side events.
Those events include the Women's Forum, Youth Forum, Business Forum, and People's Forum, as well as an international eye health summit and a Global Citizens event.
With more than 5,000 delegates anticipated, authorities say the stakes are too high for preparations to lose pace, regardless of the demands of the political season.
