President Kagame attends CHOGM 2024 opening ceremony in Samoa – RNA NEWS
This morning in Apia, Samoa’s capital metropolis, President Kagame joins different Heads of Government for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) opening ceremony.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame delivered remarks because the Commonwealth outgoing chair. He has chaired the Commonwealth since 2022.
“It has been a great honour for Rwanda to serve as Chair-in-Office for the past two years. I congratulate Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, and wish you all success as Chair. Rwanda stands ready to support you. Samoa is the first Pacific island state to host CHOGM. This comes at a turning point. Temperatures are rising, and for small island developing States in the Pacific and the Caribbean, this is literally a matter of survival. Africa and Asia also share this burden. Two-thirds of the world’s small states are members of the Commonwealth. We cannot ignore the voices of those who are bearing the brunt of this crisis, and they should not have to beg for our support.”, President Kagame stated.
Below President Kagame’s full speech
Your Majesties
Your Highness, the Head of State of Samoa
Prime Minister of Samoa
Excellencies
Secretary-General
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I’m more than happy to affix you for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
To the Government and other people of Samoa, our host, I thanks for the nice and cozy welcome and hospitality.
It has been a terrific honour for Rwanda to function Chair-in-Office for the previous two years.
I congratulate Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, and need you all success as Chair.
Rwanda stands able to help you.
It can also be becoming for us to thank the Secretary-General for her distinguished service to our group, throughout her historic tenure.
This 12 months’s assembly marks one more milestone within the historical past of the Commonwealth household.
Samoa is the primary Pacific island state to host CHOGM.
This comes at a turning level.
Temperatures are rising, and for small island creating States within the Pacific and the Caribbean, that is actually a matter of survival.
Africa and Asia additionally share this burden.
Two-thirds of the world’s small states are members of the Commonwealth.
We can not ignore the voices of those that are bearing the brunt of this disaster, and they need to not must beg for our help.
As we head to COP-29 in a couple of weeks, let’s act and lead by instance. Making empty guarantees can solely transfer the needle for thus lengthy.
We proceed to help His Majesty the King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, as a blueprint for public-private partnerships and inexperienced funding, all through the Commonwealth.
Indeed, what’s going to make us cross the end line within the battle towards local weather change is extra finance from rich nations.
Still, our collective efforts should not cease there.
The phrases should be beneficial, with out pushing creating nations into extra debt.
The Commonwealth’s comparative benefit stays its younger and vibrant inhabitants.
Creating digital jobs for girls and younger folks ought to stay on the prime of the agenda this 12 months.
We should depend on the potential for innovation and expertise to resolve the daunting problem of rising unemployment and irregular migration.
This can also be a great way to bridge the talents hole, and the imbalances in human capital growth alternatives between our areas.
Artificial intelligence mustn’t turn out to be an issue.
If we use it responsibly, and set up sound insurance policies, we will transcend the realm of our creativeness, and turn out to be much more resilient.
Earlier this 12 months, the Commonwealth turned 75.
What was as soon as an affiliation of eight nations, is now one in all 56.
Equality, range, and solidarity are the values that bind us collectively.
Because of this, the place we now have the chance to proper our wrongs, let’s try this, and discover a consensus that may stand the check of time.
With respect for one another and our variations, we will transfer ahead in direction of our frequent future.
