King Charles III addressed Commonwealth leaders for the first time as Head of the Commonwealth at the 27th CHOGM in Samoa, expressing his pride in joining the “Family of Nations” and his gratitude for Samoa’s warm welcome. Reflecting on nearly 60 years of engagement with the Commonwealth, he spoke of his late mother’s dedication to the organisation, a legacy he is committed to carrying forward.
In his address, King Charles highlighted the Commonwealth’s role in promoting free societies, peace, and prosperity, and emphasized the importance of resilience in tackling global challenges. Recognising the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth, he underscored its foundational values, where all nations contribute equally, fostering a unique platform for addressing pressing issues.
The King acknowledged the challenges stemming from global tensions, climate change, and inequalities, particularly in access to education, healthcare, and opportunity. He announced a new Commonwealth Fellowship for students from small island states to gain skills in areas like nursing, teaching, and green technology, helping build a resilient future.
A long-time advocate for climate action, King Charles warned of climate change’s impacts, referencing recent extreme weather events across the Commonwealth. He encouraged leaders to address climate risks by reducing emissions, strengthening resilience, and restoring nature, warning that without urgent action, these issues will exacerbate global inequalities and conflict.
King Charles called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock investments for sustainable development, stressing that private capital is essential to meet goals like the UN Development Goals. He praised the commitment of business leaders to support climate resilience and urged CHOGM attendees to seek ways to attract investment to tackle these urgent issues.
Reflecting on Samoa’s guiding theme for CHOGM, King Charles encouraged leaders to embrace the “Pacific Way” of working with respect, compassion, and compromise. He closed by pledging his own continued commitment to the Commonwealth and urged leaders to build a future of harmony with each other and with nature for the generations to come.
