As Antigua and Barbuda enters the pre-summit preparation phase for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, key Commonwealth stakeholders have gathered for a high-profile leaders’ luncheon in London to align priorities and build momentum ahead of the November 1–4 gathering in St. John’s. The event was jointly hosted by three organizing partners: Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commission in London, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), and the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI).
The luncheon opened with warm introductory remarks from Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, Antigua and Barbuda’s top diplomatic representative to the United Kingdom. Following her welcome, the floor was given to the Honourable E. Paul Chet Greene, who serves as Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, and also chairs the national task force steering preparations for the 2026 CHOGM. A number of other senior Antigua and Barbuda diplomatic officials joined the gathering, including H.E. Theon Ali, who holds dual appointments as Ambassador to Qatar and Deputy Head of Mission at the country’s embassy in the United Arab Emirates, alongside Brent Scotland, Second Secretary at the London High Commission.
In his address to attendees, Minister Greene extended formal gratitude to Lord Swire KCMG PC, Deputy Chairman of CWEIC, and Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, MVO, Chief Executive Officer of SMI, for their organizational support and ongoing collaborative engagement with Antigua and Barbuda’s summit planning efforts. He centered his remarks on the official 2026 CHOGM theme: “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth”. Minister Greene emphasized that this theme was intentionally crafted to reflect the urgent need to deepen cross-sector collaboration between national governments, global investors, private sector enterprises, and multilateral institutions. These partnerships, he noted, are the cornerstone of advancing inclusive, climate-resilient sustainable development across all 56 Commonwealth member states.
Following the discussion segment, the luncheon drew to a close with closing votes of thanks delivered by Jordan-Saifi and Lord Swire on behalf of their respective organizations. Looking ahead, Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to welcome a diverse cross-section of global leaders to St. John’s, including heads of government, foreign ministers, business executives, civil society representatives, youth advocates, women’s rights leaders, and faith-based community leaders.
For context, CWEIC is the official accredited business network of the Commonwealth, with a core mandate to boost cross-border trade and stimulate investment flows across the bloc’s 56 member nations. SMI, meanwhile, was first launched in 2020 by His Majesty King Charles III, when he still held the title of Prince of Wales. The initiative brings together private sector actors, national governments, and global stakeholders to speed up the global transition to a low-carbon, environmentally sustainable global economy.