Islamabad, September 18, 2024 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from King Charles III of Great Britain on Wednesday, during which the King extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this October, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The CHOGM, held every two years and hosted by different member countries, will take place from October 21-26 in Samoa. This year’s summit will be significant as it will be the first chaired by King Charles III since becoming the head of the Commonwealth in September 2022.
Prime Minister Sharif accepted the invitation, calling the upcoming summit a “significant moment” for the Commonwealth. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the values of the Commonwealth Charter and emphasized the importance of the summit as a platform to enhance intra-Commonwealth cooperation on key issues, including sustainable development, democratic institutions, and youth empowerment.
The Prime Minister also highlighted King Charles’ longstanding dedication to environmental issues, expressing his eagerness to engage in discussions on climate change. Pakistan, being one of the nations most vulnerable to climate impacts, has experienced devastating consequences, including the historic floods of 2022, which claimed 1,700 lives and caused $30 billion in damages.
In addition to discussing the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz inquired about the King’s health and conveyed his best wishes to the Princess of Wales, who recently announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.
