Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, last week joined Commonwealth counterparts at the 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The meeting was chaired by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo, and brought together Foreign Ministers from across the 56-member family of nations.
The discussions reviewed progress on commitments made at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), considered reports from recent ministerial gatherings, and reflected on current country situations.
Ministers also received an update from the Secretary-General on reforms and strategic priorities, with this being Hon. Shirley Botchwey’s first CFAMM since assuming office.
For Solomon Islands, participation in this meeting reinforces the country’s place among the Commonwealth family and ensures that the concerns of small island developing states remain at the forefront of deliberations.
Issues of particular importance include strengthening economic partnerships to open new opportunities for trade and jobs, advancing calls for climate action and resilience financing to protect vulnerable communities, and building on recent international commitments such as the declaration on the protection of humanitarian workers.
The meeting also prepared the ground for the next CHOGM, to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2026, where leaders are expected to take forward major decisions on trade, governance and cooperation.
Hon. Agovaka’s attendance forms part of a wider programme of engagements during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Solomon Islands continues to contribute to global dialogue on peace, security and sustainable development.
– OPMC
