50 leaders gather in Antigua to draft trade and climate plans

More than 50 government leaders arrived in Antigua this week for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The summit brings together heads of state representing approximately 2.7 billion people. Participants include leaders from nations that were formerly part of the British Empire, as well as officials from Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. The gathering is designed to strengthen economic and political ties during a period of global instability.

The meeting follows a biennial schedule. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey told The Associated Press that the agenda responds to current global conditions. She identified conflict, economic shocks, rising costs, climate change, and trade issues as the primary topics. Botchwey noted that these factors are directly affecting the financial well-being of citizens in member countries.

Trade policy is a central focus of the discussions. Botchwey stated that leaders will examine methods to attract investment and lower barriers to trade within the Commonwealth. She explained that increased internal trading can reduce the impact of external economic pressures. "All the countries woke up one day and were slapped with tariffs," she said. "If we are trading more among ourselves, whatever happens outside the Commonwealth will not affect countries too much." U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed the highest import duties on trading partners since the Great Depression, a situation that has fluctuated due to legal challenges.

The Commonwealth also plans to launch two new funds. One fund aims to provide digital skills training to about 10 million young adults. Botchwey hopes the private sector, foundations, and philanthropies will contribute to this initiative. The second fund is intended to help nations transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Climate change is a major topic because 49 of the 56 Commonwealth countries share a border with the ocean. Botchwey said the group must prepare for rising sea levels and ensure ocean health.

Richardo Aiken, a civil society governor for the Caribbean and Americas at the Commonwealth Foundation, said climate justice and freedom of expression will dominate the people’s forum. He noted that the region includes a large population of Indigenous people. "It’s about how do we bring these players, the first people, those who were before us, into the conversation?" he said. Aiken expects the forum to propose specific initiatives to help civil organizations overcome barriers, such as the difficulty of writing proposals to access financing.

King Charles III is expected to attend the summit after visiting the Bahamas and Guyana. Queen Camilla is also expected to join him. Some Caribbean leaders have called for a discussion on slavery reparations during the meeting. The event includes forums focused on business, women, and young people.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday morning. The four-day meeting is set to conclude on Wednesday.