As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda finalizes preparations for one of the largest diplomatic gatherings it has ever hosted, the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has revealed that more than 12,000 people have officially registered to take part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and its affiliated side events.
Breaking the news during a recent public town hall engagement, Greene confirmed that the national Accreditation Department had logged a total of 12,426 completed registrations as of the time of his address. Contrary to common assumptions that all registered attendees are international delegates, the final count includes hundreds of local staff, volunteers and contractors who have been hired to support the smooth delivery of the four-day event.
According to Greene, international delegate participation is tracking closely to pre-event projections. Organizers initially estimated that roughly 5,000 overseas visitors would attend the gathering, and current numbers are approaching that target well ahead of the meeting’s opening. The accreditation process covers every individual involved in the event’s operations, ranging from senior diplomatic delegation support staff to venue operations teams and logistics coordinators for official activities across the island nation.
CHOGM is scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4, marking a key milestone for the small island developing state as it takes on the rotating chairmanship of the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc. The official program for the summit features closed-door government leadership meetings, four separate themed public forums focused on pressing global issues relevant to Commonwealth member states, and a series of cultural events designed to showcase Antigua and Barbuda’s unique heritage to visiting international delegates.