Commonwealth Leaders Meet to Address Climate Change and Reparations
Leaders Convene in Samoa
APIA, SAMOA — The leaders of the Commonwealth group of nations will meet at a welcome banquet in Samoa in the South Pacific on Thursday, with climate change and reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade on the agenda of summit discussions.
Leaders and Officials in Attendance
Leaders and officials from 56 countries with roots in Britain’s empire, as well as Britain’s King Charles, are in the small island nation and attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which began Monday. The countries’ foreign ministers also began a day of discussions on Thursday.
Climate Change Concerns
More than half of the Commonwealth’s members are small states, many of which are low-lying island nations at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said ocean temperatures are rising in the Pacific Islands at three times the rate worldwide, and its population is "uniquely exposed" to the impact of rising sea levels. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong noted, "Climate change is an existential threat. It is the number one national security threat. It is the number one economic threat to the peoples of the Pacific and to many members of the Commonwealth."
Reparations Push
Also on the agenda is a push for Britain to pay reparations for transatlantic slavery, a long-standing issue that has recently been gaining momentum worldwide, particularly among the Caribbean Community and more recently the African Union. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said he will not bring the issue of reparations for historical transatlantic slavery to the table at the summit, but is open to engage with leaders who want to discuss it.
CARICOM’s Stance
CARICOM has set up a commission to seek reparations from former colonial powers such as the UK, France and Portugal. Those opposed to paying reparations say countries shouldn’t be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in favor say the legacy of slavery has resulted in persistent and vast racial inequalities today.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting presents a crucial opportunity for leaders to address the pressing issues of climate change and reparations for historical injustices. As Kingsley Abbott, director of the University of London’s Institute of Commonwealth Studies, noted, "It is a priority for many of the Commonwealth’s member countries and whenever those affected by atrocities ask to talk, there should always be a willingness to sit down and listen."
FAQs
- What are the key issues on the agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting?
- Climate change and reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade
- How many countries are part of the Commonwealth?
- 56 countries with roots in Britain’s empire
- What is the stance of British Prime Minister Kier Starmer on reparations for historical transatlantic slavery?
- He will not bring the issue to the table, but is open to engage with leaders who want to discuss it
