By Kamalie Mannix
September 27 2026 | Opinion | CHOGM
In just a few weeks, Antigua and Barbuda will find itself at the centre of an important international gathering as we host the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from November 1–4.
For many of us, CHOGM may sound like something reserved for heads of government, diplomats and senior officials. But that would be a mistake.
CHOGM is also an opportunity for ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans, particularly young people, to participate, learn, connect and showcase what our country has to offer.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum, People’s Forum and Business Forum will bring together young leaders, civil society representatives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders from across the Commonwealth. The Youth Forum alone is expected to bring approximately 300 youth delegates together in Antigua and Barbuda.
So, what does all of this mean for young people?
Our voices can reach the international stage
The first opportunity is perhaps the most important: we have an opportunity to contribute to international dialogue.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum is specifically designed to give young people a voice in discussions affecting their future. Its recommendations will be presented to Commonwealth leaders, creating a direct pathway for young people’s ideas to reach the highest levels of Commonwealth decision-making.
The People’s Forum also provides an opportunity for citizens to engage with one another, interact with leaders and contribute to shaping policy and practice. Its 2026 programme will focus on issues including climate justice, economic inclusion and freedom of expression, with particular attention to young people and small and vulnerable states.
This means that our young people should not simply watch CHOGM happen around us.
We should be part of the conversation.
Show the world what Antigua and Barbuda can do
Hosting an international meeting of this magnitude also gives us an opportunity to showcase ourselves.
We often speak about the beauty of Antigua and Barbuda, our beaches, landscapes, culture and hospitality.
But there is something else we must showcase:
Our people. Our young entrepreneurs. Our creatives. Our hospitality professionals. Our educators. Our technology professionals. Our farmers. Our artists. Our musicians. Our public servants. Our emerging business leaders.
CHOGM provides a platform where people from around the Commonwealth will be experiencing Antigua and Barbuda not simply as a tourist destination, but as a place where people live, work, innovate and build.
That is an important distinction.
Beyond tourism: conference tourism
We also have an opportunity to demonstrate that Antigua and Barbuda can be more than a destination for people looking for a beautiful beach.
We can be a destination for conversations, conferences, investment and international collaboration.
The Commonwealth Business Forum will bring together business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers to explore trade, investment and partnership opportunities.
The 2026 Power Pitch is specifically giving selected Antiguan and Barbudan ventures an opportunity to present projects directly to potential investors and strategic partners.
For our young entrepreneurs, this is significant. Imagine having the opportunity to meet someone from Kenya, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Australia or another Commonwealth country and discover that they are working on exactly the kind of problem you are trying to solve.
That conversation could become a partnership.
That partnership could become a business. And that business could create opportunities for other young Antiguans and Barbudans.
We also have something to learn
But CHOGM should not simply be about showing the world what we can do. We also need to learn from the world.
Fifty-six Commonwealth countries will be represented at CHOGM 2026.
Each country brings its own experiences, challenges, cultures, technologies, businesses and approaches to development.
Young people should take the opportunity to learn. What are other countries doing about climate change? How are they using technology? How are young entrepreneurs building businesses? What are emerging trends in education, artificial intelligence, finance, tourism and the creative industries? How are other small states navigating challenges similar to ours?
We don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Sometimes, progress begins with seeing what someone else has done and asking: “How could we adapt this to Antigua and Barbuda?”
Build your network
Perhaps one of the greatest opportunities presented by CHOGM will not be found in a formal meeting at all. It may happen during a conversation.
A young Antiguan might meet another young person from another Commonwealth country.
A business owner might meet an investor. A student might meet a potential mentor. A creative might meet a producer. A youth organisation might find a partner. A professional might make a connection that becomes important five or ten years from now.
That is the power of networking.
And young people should approach CHOGM with that mindset.
Don’t simply ask, “What event can I attend?”
Ask: “Who can I meet? What can I learn? What can I contribute? And what can I build from this?”
Don’t just watch CHOGM, participate
There will be plenty of opportunities for young people to get involved.
Participate in the forums where you can.
Attend public events. Volunteer. Support the organisations and teams working behind the scenes. Share your ideas. Engage respectfully with visitors. Show people around our country.
Talk about your business. Talk about your community. Talk about the issues affecting young people. And most importantly, take the initiative. The Government, Commonwealth Secretariat and various organisations can create opportunities, but ultimately, young people have to decide to walk through the door.
The CHOGM 2026 school tour is already taking that message directly to students, with the organisers encouraging young people to understand CHOGM and consider how they can participate.
The opportunity is bigger than four days
When the last delegate leaves Antigua and Barbuda, we should ask ourselves what remains. Did young people make meaningful connections? Did businesses find new opportunities? Did we showcase our talent? Did we learn something that can improve our country? Did international visitors leave with a greater appreciation for Antigua and Barbuda? And did we use the opportunity to create relationships that continue long after CHOGM?
That is the real opportunity.
CHOGM should not simply be an event that Antigua and Barbuda hosts. It should be an experience that young Antiguans and Barbudans use. We have been given an opportunity to stand on an international stage. Let us use it.
Participate. Volunteer. Network. Learn. Showcase. Ask questions. Build relationships. Because opportunities like this do not come around every day.
And when the world comes to our doorstep, we should make sure that our young people are there to meet it.
