President Paul Kagame is today expected in Perth, Australia to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The President’s attendance was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo. 

"As a new member of the Commonwealth, it is a great opportunity for the President to attend CHOGM and share political and economical best practices with over 50 government and business leaders,” Mushikiwabo said via a video link.

President Kagame will, on Friday, deliver remarks at the official opening where Rwanda will be formally welcomed as the newest member of the community.

"Rwanda’s participation in CHOGM is as significant as our own membership in the Commonwealth because Rwanda shares with other members the values that have defined the organisation - values of humanity, hard work, business and the advancement of global interests,” she noted.

The minister said that in the last two years, the country has already started reaping the benefits of membership, particularly in areas of investment, capacity building and youth forums.

"The meeting in Perth will discuss the issue of resilience and how to adjust in a changing world; Rwanda is pleased to bring our own views to the table and to participate in solidarity with other partner states.”

Mushikiwabo participated in the pre-CHOGM ministerial meetings in Perth.

Ahead of the Heads of State meetings, President Kagame will be the guest speaker at the Commonwealth Business Forum and attend a round table for Heads of State and business leaders, hosted by Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

Rwanda was officially admitted to the Commonwealth in 2009 during the summit that took place in Trinidad and Tobago, making history as the second country without a British colonial background to join the bloc, after Mozambique.

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at CHOGM to discuss mutual and global issues and to agree on collective policies and initiatives.

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