The second Advance Visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) in October 2024 took place on 24 and 25 July 2024. Sixty-five (65)
delegates from fourteen (14) Commonwealth member countries including the
Commonwealth Secretariat participated in the visit. The Head of the
Commonwealth Foundation and her two staff attended alongside a three-member
team from the Commonwealth Secretariat who had been working out of CHOGMs
headquarters assisting with preparations.
Similar to the first Visit by member countries, the delegates were welcomed on
Wednesday morning at the Auditorium, Arts and Cultural Centre in Malifa by the
CHOGM 2024 Organising Committee headed by the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade and Co-Chairs of each of the twelve Sub-Committees. In her
welcome remarks, Peseta Noumea Simi encouraged the delegations to view, visit
and make their honest assessment on Samoa’s readiness.
This was followed by a schedule of site visits to the key meeting venues, Leaders
Retreat venue, main accommodation for the Leaders and Foreign Ministers, as well
as other official function venues. The participants also had the opportunity to
meet with their Delegation Liaison Officers who will act as the link between the
respective delegations and the CHOGM Taskforce on all pertinent issues throughout
CHOGM.
A briefing session and detailed presentation on all CHOGM preparations was
conducted on day two. This included arrangements on protocol and airport
facilitation, security, accreditation, accommodation, transportation, venues,
media and communications, health and emergency, catering as well as receptions
and functions. The two-day programme wrapped up on Thursday evening with
bilateral meetings between delegations and Sub-Committee representatives to
respond to concerns of the countries.
The majority of queries countries had were around security of their Heads of
Governments, placement of their Close Protection Officers during movements of
Leaders as well as where in meeting venues they would be allowed. Other
delegations were concerned about access into meeting venues, accommodation or
bilateral meeting facilities for their Leaders.

On the Tuesday 23 rd July, the Samoa Umbrella of Non-Governmental Organisations
(SUNGO) in collaboration with Government of Samoa through the Public Service
Commission held a full day program which is a lead-up event to the Commonwealth
People’s Forum held at the start of the CHOGM week.