King Charles, the head of the grouping, is among the representatives of 56 countries


Apia (Reuters): The leaders of the Commonwealth grouping of nations met on Thursday ahead of a summit in the South Pacific nation of Samoa that will feature talks on climate change and the question of reparations for Britain's role in transatlantic slavery.
King Charles, the head of the grouping, is among the representatives of 56 countries, most with roots in Britain's empire, who are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that began on Monday.
More than half of the Commonwealth's members are small nations, many of them low-lying islands at risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Among them is Tuvalu, whose climate change minister, Maina Vakafua Talia, urged the grouping to strive for the Paris Accord's warming goal of 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F), calling new fossil fuel projects a "death sentence" for his country.
"We call on our wealthier partners to align themselves with this goal and not fan the flames of the climate crisis with fossil fuel expansion," he said.
Island leaders are expected to issue a declaration on ocean protection at the summit, with climate change being a central topic of discussion.
"Climate change is an existential threat," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told a press conference after a meeting with counterparts.
"It is the No. 1 national security threat. It is the No. 1 economic threat to the peoples of the Pacific and to many members of the Commonwealth."
Zambia was among the African countries that warned of the rising impacts of climate change, including the effects on food security, she added.
On Thursday, Charles will be shown the impact of rising sea levels that are forcing people to move inland, a Samoan chief said.

Jaffar Express comes under rocket attack in Balochistan
- 6 hours ago

Afghan officials’ statements reflect devious, splintered mindset of Taliban regime: Khawaja Asif
- 13 hours ago

Gold prices surge in Pakistan, global markets
- 12 hours ago

Seven khawarij killed, six soldiers including captain martyred in Kurram operation: ISPR
- 4 hours ago

Pakistan-Afghan Taliban talks ended without result: Attaullah Tarar
- 18 hours ago
Admiral Naveed Ashraf stresses combat readiness at Pakistan Navy Command & Staff Conference
- 7 hours ago

PTA, Meta launch Instagram’s 'Teen Accounts' to strengthen online safety for youth
- 9 hours ago

Trump delivers another sharp dig at India’s Modi-led govt
- 17 hours ago

33rd death anniversary of actor Ismail Shah observed today
- 9 hours ago

Pakistan, Algeria vow to strengthen bilateral cooperation
- 5 hours ago

Defence Minister takes strong exception to venomous statements by Afghan officials
- 10 hours ago

How can users earn more from TikTok?
- 9 hours ago









