Samoa is gearing up to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next week, with international delegates already arriving. A total of 4,240 participants, including heads of delegations, media representatives, and event attendees, have registered for the event, exceeding initial expectations.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa highlighted the scale of preparations, saying, “To date, a total of 4,240 delegates have registered for CHOGM, comprising heads of delegations, country delegates, media representatives, and participants—and for both media and fora, registration has far exceeded projected expectations.”
Accommodations for the delegates have also been organized, with 4,125 rooms booked across accredited hotels, private homes, and the cruise liner Pacific Explorer. “Hotel properties and other land-based options are at capacity, with those located around the CHOGM Peninsula now fully booked,” Fiame noted. She also confirmed that rooms are still available in private homes and onboard the Pacific Explorer.
Fiame expressed gratitude to the community, stating, “I wish to congratulate and thank all our village and business communities for the immense work carried out to ensure we are extending to all our guests, and our Commonwealth family, a vista of welcome.”
To manage transport, the government has partnered with the private sector to provide shuttle services between hotels and venues for participants. Road closures are scheduled for October 24 to 26 to facilitate VIP movements. “These road closures are for defined periods of time only and will enable CHOGM VIP and delegation movements,” she explained.
Over 200 police officers from 11 Pacific nations have arrived to support the Samoa Police Service. Fiame emphasized the regional collaboration, saying, “Next week, we will host a special Pacific Heads of delegation meeting to thank the 11 countries contributing to this regional—and distinctly Pacific—approach.”
Regarding a recent maritime incident, the Prime Minister addressed the grounding of the HMNZS Manawanui. The New Zealand vessel ran aground on October 6, catching fire before sinking near Tafitoala. “Aerial photographs from drones confirmed the Manawanui’s underwater location, as well as the fact that it was leaking fuel from three locations,” Fiame stated.
While the main fuel tanks remain intact, small fuel leaks are being closely monitored by New Zealand Defense Force divers. The Prime Minister added, “The focus of these first weeks has been on monitoring the oil spill and any environmental risks.”
Dive and coastal operations will be scaled down during CHOGM week, with monitoring continuing. Fiame confirmed that plans have been approved to remove containers from the reef, saying, “A plan has been approved by the Government of Samoa to remove the three containers that came off the HMNZS Manawanui from the reef.”
CHOGM 2024 is set to take place from October 21 to 26 in Apia, with activities spanning multiple venues across the city.
