PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS AND TRADE Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg addresses the closing session of CHOGM 2024

Malta pledges to continue calling for increased support to small island developing states

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg was among four heads of governments chosen to address the final press conference announcing the conclusions of CHOGM 2024 in Samoa.

The 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) came to a close on Saturday with the Head of Governments Retreat, followed by the closing press conference, addressed by the Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Mohamad Hasan, and the Maltese Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, along with outgoing Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland.

Minister Borg hailed the potential of the Commonwealth to bring together 56 nations and their 2.7 billion people, amplifying their voice on the global stage. “Our shared challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. Instead, they present us with the chance to grow, to innovate, and to rise together. Now is the moment to harness this momentum and shape a Commonwealth that responds to the needs of its citizens — both present and future.”

In his statement, he also focused on civil society and youth engagement, EU-Commonwealth relations and small island developing states (SIDS).

Civil society and youth engagement in public life are essential to bring to life the aspirations of the people. “Youths across the Commonwealth are our future leaders who are already bringing fresh perspectives and boundless energy to our shared mission,” Borg said.

As one of only two Commonwealth countries in the European Union, Malta seeks to introduce a wider European perspective, helping to build resilience through collaborative efforts on common challenges and strengthening the two Organisations’ ability to adapt and succeed. The Deputy Prime Minister noted Malta’s success in advocating for the appointment of an EU representative for small island states, which will create more opportunities for closer EU-Commonwealth relations.

Malta will also continue to champion initiatives that support SIDS and drive cooperation on climate resilience and sustainability. In this regard, Minister Borg reminded that the outcomes of CHOGM 2024 must be reinforced during the upcoming COP29, in Baku. “We need to ensure that the voices of small island developing states are front and centre at COP and at all other fora, as these countries face disproportionate impacts due to climate change. Malta has also succeeded in bringing the climate-related challenges of SIDS, including sea level rise, around the table at the UN Security Council.”

Minister Borg congratulated Antigua and Barbuda upon its confirmation as the future Commonwealth Chair-in-Office and the host of CHOGM 2026. He welcomed incoming Secretary General of the Commonwealth Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who was elected to the post during the retreat earlier on Saturday, and thanked Patricia Scotland for her leadership of the Organisation in recent years.

At CHOGM 2024, leaders adopted three key documents - the CHOGM Communiqué, the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, and the Leaders’ Statement, outlining commitments to sustainability, inclusion, and initiatives in areas like ocean conservation, climate action, and youth and women’s empowerment across member states.