Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly finished off a busy week at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa by holding talks with key counterparts, including the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Collins of Highbury.
“Engaging with Lord Collins was an invaluable opportunity to discuss our shared commitment to advancing social justice,” O’Connor-Connolly stated afterwards.
“His advocacy for equitable policies aligns with our vision for an inclusive society in the Cayman Islands, and I look forward to exploring collaborative initiatives that can drive real change.”
During the course of the week, O’Connor-Connolly took part in several sessions addressing issues such as climate resilience, economic diversification, and sustainable development.
The premier also met King Charles III, telling him she had been ‘praying for him’ in a brief exchange.
King Charles used his speech to acknowledge “painful aspects” of Britain’s past amid intense discussions over whether Britain should pay reparations to countries affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
He also highlighted a pressing concern of the future, referencing, “the existential threat of climate change” and urging private businesses to work with governments to “invest in climate transition, in resilience and in nature restoration.”
He said, “We are well past believing it is a problem for the future, since it is already, already undermining the development gains we have long fought for.
“This year alone, we have seen terrifying storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa and catastrophic wildfires in Canada. Lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth.”
Unique needs of small island states
Reflecting on the summit’s significance, O’Connor-Connolly remarked, “Being here alongside global leaders from both the public and private sectors has allowed us to engage in meaningful discussions that impact our future.
“For the Cayman Islands, CHOGM 2024 has offered an invaluable platform to share best practices, open new channels for collaboration, and address the unique needs of small island developing states.”
The premier also met with several other Commonwealth leaders and business figures, including Philip Davis, prime minister of The Bahamas, Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda, Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and Lord Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
Chief Officer Eric Bush, who accompanied the premier, remarked, “The connections forged during CHOGM 2024 are transformative. These relationships will enable us to enhance our strategies in trade and environmental resilience. We are committed to translating our discussions into actionable strategies that will propel our development forward.”
The 27th CHOGM was the first to be held in a Pacific Small Island Developing State and was attended by representative of the 57 independent countries which make up the Commonwealth, including the UK’s head of state King Charles III in his first CHOGM since his coronation. The theme of the summit was ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Common Wealth’.
During the week-long meeting, Bush, representing Minister Jay Ebanks, participated in a round table on building resilience infrastructure, alongside 36 leaders from the private and public sectors. The session tackled critical issues such as renewable energy, green investment opportunities and sustainable and secure supply chains.
O’Connor-Connolly praised the Commonwealth for its ability to bring nations together during a discussion on reducing trade barriers at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa on Wednesday.
Describing herself as “a product of the Commonwealth,” O’Connor-Connolly said that there was “an audacity of optimism for the Commonwealth” which was currently “an under-utilised product.”
She added: “Our economies can, and have, and should and must, make us partners, and with our economies there is no excuse now for the Commonwealth not to be that foremost conduit to bring us together.
“We ought to encourage ourselves that we can be one Commonwealth, one voice, through treaties, through MOUs, through agreements, but that foundation has to be based on trust.”
O’Connor-Connolly was speaking at a session chaired by Andrew McKellar, chief executive for the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Participants included Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo Addo, president of the Republic of Ghana and an address from David Lammy, UK Foreign Minister.
Public-private partnerships crucial, says premier
O’Connor-Connolly also took part in the Island Nations Roundtable, moderated by Lord Swire, deputy chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. The discussions centred on two themes: Unlocking Access to Finance for Island Nations and Increasing Resilience for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
During the session, O’Connor-Connolly spoke about the importance of partnerships between governments and the private sector in overcoming financial barriers.
“To collaborate more effectively, we must prioritise sustainable and resilient projects. Governments and the private sector must work together, and this partnership is crucial in unlocking finance,” she said.
She also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in driving shared investments in sustainable infrastructure, citing renewable energy projects as an example.
Leaders of the Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. CHOGM 2026 will be held in Antigua and Barbuda in the city of St John’s. The decision, made during CHOGM 2024, means that Antigua and Barbuda will be the smallest country to host the event.
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Chief Officer Eric Bush – “we are committed to translating our discussions into actionable strategies that will propel our development forward”. Fine words Mr Bush, now let’s hear what you will do about the atrocious conditions at Northward which have existed for years without improvement.
What a waste and abuse of government spending on a trip of this nature with this Cayman delegation. The Department of Tourism would of brought more to the table this group.