Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Minister Conroy to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting 2022 in Rwanda

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP will lead the Australian delegation attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting between 23-26 June, in Kigali, Rwanda. Deputy Prime Minister Marles will be joined by the Hon Pat Conroy MP, who will be undertaking his first overseas visit as Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

Throughout CHOGM Rwanda 2022: Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming, Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Minister Conroy will engage in discussions with leaders from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific. These regions collectively represent approximately 2.5 billion people, more than 30 per cent of the global population.

“I look forward to engaging with leaders from the Commonwealth and promoting democratic values and human rights, action on climate change, and sustainable and resilient health systems as a key element of post COVID-19 recovery,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.

“CHOGM 2022 also provides a valuable opportunity to engage bilaterally with leaders from across all five regions of the Commonwealth to discuss shared priorities for our region.”

The Minister for International Development and the Pacific will attend the Foreign Ministers program on behalf of Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and will meet members of our Pacific family and actively engage in discussions on climate change, development and small states issues.

“We are united by shared democratic values, good governance and the rule of law, respect for international human rights, gender equality and sustainable economic and social development,” Minister Conroy said.

“Together, we will reaffirm our common values and agree actions and policies to improve the lives of citizens.”

CHOGM takes place every two years and was last due to take place in June 2020, postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.