Pre-CHOGM Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) in Antigua and Barbuda

In the lead-up to the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled for St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, from 2 to 4 November 2026, H.E. Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth (MINDELCOM), joined his Commonwealth counterparts at the Pre-CHOGM Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), held on Monday, 2 November 2026, at the American University of Antigua.

The meeting provided Foreign Ministers with an opportunity to deliberate on key political, economic and development challenges facing the Commonwealth and make recommendations for consideration by Heads of Government. The discussions are expected to help shape the Organisation’s priorities and guide collective action towards building a more prosperous, resilient and inclusive Commonwealth.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Cameroon, H.E. Felix Mbayu acknowledged the Commonwealth’s significant contribution to the country’s democratic governance, economic and social development, as well as its role in projecting Cameroon’s identity as a bilingual, bicultural and bijural nation.

He nevertheless called for a more proactive, action-oriented and visible Organisation, urging member states to speak with one voice in multilateral fora, particularly at the United Nations in New York and Geneva. He proposed that the Chair-in-Office articulate agreed Commonwealth positions on behalf of member states at the UN General Assembly and other relevant international platforms.

He further advocated stronger synergies among Commonwealth-accredited organisations, enhanced institutional visibility and broader participation by member states in their activities. He underscored that these organisations constitute an invaluable network and a key source of the Commonwealth’s convening power, lending the Organisation the gravitas and global influence it enjoys.