When small states succeed, the Commonwealth succeeds.
At the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States at #CHOGM2026, COL's President and CEO, Peter Scott, and Vice-President, Anne-Marie Scott, are joining discussions on scaling up partnerships and investment to strengthen the resilience of small states, address shared challenges and contribute to a more prosperous future.
Central to this is investing in people, particularly young people, and equipping them with the skills and opportunities to succeed in a changing world. Strong partnerships are essential to expanding successful initiatives and delivering impact at a scale that benefits the Commonwealth's 2.7 billion citizens.
After weeks of working together virtually across the region, youth participants and mentors in COL's Pan-Caribbean Youth Robotics Innovation Project for Blue-Green Resilience and Prosperity are now coming together in person for an exciting few days of learning, collaboration and innovation at #CHOGM2026!
In collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the youth will take part in career labs exploring opportunities in the blue and green economies and engage at UNICEF's Green Rising Fund Launch. They'll also be preparing their robotics prototypes designed to address regional resilience challenges for the CHOGM Youth Forum showcase on 3 November, where they'll present their ideas and innovations to Commonwealth leaders.
We're excited to welcome everyone to Antigua and Barbuda and help bring Caribbean youth voices and solutions to the world stage!
This Independence Day carries special significance for Antigua and Barbuda. As the country celebrates its independence on 1 November, it also welcomes Commonwealth Member Countries and institutions, Accredited Organisations, and community groups from across the world to St John’s for CHOGM 2026.
Guided by the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth,” heads of government are advancing action on shared priorities, including climate resilience, innovation, trade, equality and sustainable development. For Antigua and Barbuda, these conversations reflect priorities that matter especially to small island states: building resilience, investing in people, creating opportunities and strengthen\ing the partnerships needed for sustainable development.
Building 21st-century skills, particularly for young people, is an important part of this wider ambition. Antigua and Barbuda is strengthening teacher professional development through its Professional Development Governance Framework, while its National Policy for TVET supports a more responsive skills system linked to workforce needs and regional mobility. Digital and flexible learning, food security, farmer training and youth robotics for blue-green economies are also helping to build practical skills and more resilient livelihoods.
As Antigua and Barbuda marks its independence and opens its doors to the Commonwealth family, we celebrate a country bringing its experience as a small island state to a much wider conversation about partnership, investment and collective prosperity.
Warm wishes to the people of Antigua and Barbuda on Independence Day, and every success as the country hosts CHOGM 2026.
Climate action, gender equality and the needs of small states are cross-cutting priorities, not separate challenges.
Ahead of #CHOGM2026, COL calls on Commonwealth leaders to consider actions towards building climate-resilient learning systems, empowering women and girls
Advancing gender equality in STEM means creating more inclusive learning environments and expanding opportunities for women to progress and lead. Through our Women in STEM (WiSE) Community of Practice webinar series, COL brings educators, researchers and other STEM stakeholders
As new industries emerge, economies evolve and climate challenges grow, #CHOGM2026 presents an opportunity to invest in the skills people need to access new opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods.
COL`s talking points on creating skills for livelihoods urge Commonwealth leaders and decision-makers to expand digital skills for youth and strengthen skills development across the green, blue and orange economies, opening pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and more resilient communities.
These priorities focus on turning the Commonwealth`s rich resources, from agriculture and oceans to creativity and culture, into opportunities for skills development, innovation and sustainable livelihoods.
Follow the links on each card to explore the individual talking points, or read COL`s full set of recommendations at the link in our bio. #COL4D #FutureSkills #SkillsForWork @commonwealth_sec
Changing learning systems to build a more skilled and resilient Commonwealth must be part of the conversation at #CHOGM2026.
As technology advances, the impacts of climate change intensify, and the skills needed for work evolve, education systems must adapt to prepare people for a changing world.
Under a broader call to change learning systems, COL advocates for more flexible, inclusive learning that builds future-ready skills, empowers teachers for the digital age, strengthens connections between education and employment, and expands lifelong learning opportunities.
Visit the handles on each card to explore the individual talking points, or discover our broader points for discussion. The link is in our bio.
With #CHOGM2026 just days away, leaders from across the Commonwealth are preparing to gather in Antigua and Barbuda to advance partnerships and investment for a more prosperous future.
That`s why we`ve put together 15 strategic talking points and 12 concrete opportunities for action in our new publication, Learning to accelerate in partnership.
From transforming education systems and expanding flexible learning to developing digital, green, blue and creative economy skills, our focus is on equipping young people with the skills to learn, lead, work and thrive.
Our challenge to CHOGM delegates and decision-makers: Explore the talking points, ask the difficult questions and come ready to act. How can partnerships make the greatest difference and ensure no one is left behind?
Explore our talking points and help turn shared ambitions into practical action. The link is in our bio.