We’re talking a lot about CHOGM today – but what is it?
Well, the acronym stands for Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
This gives us a bit of an insight into what the summits consist of – the meeting of leaders from the Commonwealth, the post-imperial grouping of nations that made up the British Empire.
Although not all former colonies are members – the United States, for example, is not part.
CHOGM meets roughly every two years, rotating between different member states as hosts.
This year it is in Samoa in the Pacific Ocean. It is the nation’s first time hosting.
The first CHOGM was in Singapore in 1971, with the UK the most common host.
As with all such international summits, the leaders meet together to discuss issues which impact them – and CHOGM normally highlights ones that have a particular impact on the Commonwealth.
For example, this year it appears slavery reparations are set to feature heavily.
In the past, topics like sanctions on apartheid South Africa were debated.
As well as the leaders of the various governments, the UK monarch or a representative attends CHOGM as they are head of the Commonwealth.
According to the Commonwealth’s website, there are 56 countries that make up the group – totalling 2.7 billion people.
But it also consists of 33 of the world’s 42 smallest states – those with populations below 1.5 million.
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