Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) plans, and  (2) objectives, they have for the 2021 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting due to take place in Rwanda in June; and whether UK ministers and officials will attend that meeting physically.

The UK is actively participating in preparations for the upcoming 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). We are working closely with the Government of Rwanda (who will host the CHOGM and take over from us the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office), the other member states and the Commonwealth Secretariat. We are looking to secure outcomes which build on the commitments and aspirations of the London CHOGM in 2018, and which respond to new shared challenges. Priority areas include, for example, climate change, sustainability, education and health. We hope that Commonwealth leaders will take the opportunity to boost momentum towards COP26. On education, we are encouraging Leaders' reaffirmation of their commitment to ensure that all girls and boys get 12 years of quality education. Ministers and officials plan to attend CHOGM in person.