President Paul Kagame called on Commonwealth leaders to take immediate action against climate change during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Friday.
Kagame warned that rising temperatures pose a critical threat to small island developing states, stating, “For small island developing states in the Pacific and Caribbean, this is literally a matter of survival.”
He emphasized that “Africa and Asia also share this burden,” noting that two-thirds of the world’s small states are Commonwealth members.
“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,” Kagame said.
As the chair-in-office of the Commonwealth since 2022, Kagame welcomed Samoa as the first Pacific island nation to host CHOGM. He urged leaders to act decisively ahead of COP-29, cautioning that “making empty promises can only move the needle for so long.”
Kagame called for increased financial support from wealthier nations to ensure developing countries do not fall further into debt. “The terms must be favorable,” he insisted. He also underscored the potential of the Commonwealth’s youth, advocating for digital job creation and responsible technology use to tackle unemployment and irregular migration.
Reflecting on the Commonwealth’s growth, Kagame noted, “What was once an association of eight countries is now one of 56.”
He stressed the importance of “equality, diversity, and solidarity” as core values, urging member states to collaborate for a sustainable future.
