What is the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting?

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a biennial meeting of the Heads of Government from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in different member states, and is chaired by that nation’s Prime Minister or President. .

Most meetings include an appearance by the Queen of Britain, Queen Elizabeth II, who is the titular Head of the Commonwealth.

In the past CHOGMs have attempted to orchestrate common policies on certain contentious issues and current events, with a special focus on issues affecting member nations. This includes the continuation of apartheid rule in South Africa and how to stop it, military coups in Pakistan and Fiji and allegations of electoral fraud in Zimbabwe.

The member states agree on a common idea or solution and thereby release a joint statement declaring their opinion, this becomes Commonwealth policy and informs the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“Open Sesame”; CHRI’s report on ‘Right to Information’ at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria