Samoa has overcome a strong challenge from Malaysia in the bid to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (C.H.O.G.M.) in 2022.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who was in London for C.H.O.G.M. meeting, spearheaded Samoa’s bid against other nations.

The Sunday Samoan understands that the final decision came down to Samoa and Malaysia, which Samoa won.

The decision was announced in the 2018 C.H.O.G.M. communiqué.  

“Heads welcomed and accepted the offer of the President of Rwanda to host their next meeting in 2020,” it reads. “They also welcomed the offer of Samoa to host the 2022 C.H.O.G.M.”

Fiji had apparently lost to Rwanda in the bidding for the next C.H.O.G.M.

It was not possible to get a comment from the Prime Minister yesterday. He has not arrived back in the country.

Tuilaepa is accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peseta Noumea Simi.

Tuilaepa attended the C.H.O.G.M. retreat where it was agreed that Prince Charles would take over as the next head of the Commonwealth from Queen Elizabeth II (see story page 22).

If all goes according to plan, Prince Charles will be one of the star attractions in Apia come 2022. The C.H.O.G.M. will continue Samoa’s proud history of hosting international meetings and sporting competitions.

Speaking at the meeting, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth said the Commonwealth has come a long way.

“Here at Buckingham Palace in 1949, my father met the Heads of Government when they ratified the London Declaration, which created the Commonwealth as we know it today – then comprising just eight nations,” she said.

“Who then -- or in 1952, when I became Head of the Commonwealth -- would have guessed that a gathering of its member states would one day number 53, or that it would comprise 2.4 billion people?"

“Put simply, we are one of the world's great convening powers: a global association of volunteers who believe in the tangible benefits that flow from exchanging ideas and experiences and respecting each other's point of view.”

And we seem to be growing stronger year by year. The advantages are plain to see. An increasing emphasis on trade between our countries is helping us all to discover exciting new ways of doing business. And imaginative initiatives have shown how together we can bring about change on a global scale. The Commonwealth Canopy has emphasised our interdependence, while the Commonwealth Blue Charter promises to do the same in protecting our shared ocean resources. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust is providing life-changing eye treatment to many thousands, through the generosity and cooperation of the nations represented here today.”