Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, attends his first CHOGM and discusses climate change, resilience, and small states’ challenges.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is attending his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) as Singapore’s leader, taking place in Apia, Samoa, from October 23 to 26, 2024. This historic meeting, hosted for the first time by a Pacific Island nation, carries the theme “One Resilient Common Future.” PM Wong, who is also the Finance Minister, will engage in discussions with global leaders about critical issues such as climate change and building resilient economies.
Alongside the summit, PM Wong will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders. Notably, King Charles will also be attending his first CHOGM since his coronation, hosting a reception for new heads of government, including PM Wong.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan accompanies PM Wong on the trip, and he will be involved in the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States (CMMSS) and the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM). Dr. Balakrishnan highlighted Singapore’s commitment to partnering with small island nations in the green transition, offering climate projections, funding platforms for renewable energy, and sharing expertise in climate action.
Singapore’s involvement in these discussions emphasizes its proactive role in addressing global challenges, especially in supporting small states’ resilience in the face of climate change and economic pressures.