ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif on Wednesday accepted an invitation by British King Charles III to attend an upcoming Commonwealth summit in Samoa, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, reiterating his country’s commitment to the international association. 

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024 (CHOGM) will take place in Apia, Samoa from October 21-26, 2024. This will be the first time that King Charles III will head a meeting of the global association since becoming king. 

According to the Commonwealth’s website, leaders will deliberate on global economic, environmental and security challenges during the summit. They will also discuss how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth and empower the 1.5 billion young people who live in member states. 

Sharif received the invitation over a telephone call from the British king on Wednesday, the PMO said, adding that the Pakistani premier described it as a “significant moment in the history of the Commonwealth.”

“Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Commonwealth and the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter,” the PMO said. 

He noted the UK monarch’s longstanding interest in environmental issues and initiatives for climate sustainability. The Pakistani premier said he looked forward to engaging with Commonwealth leaders on climate change as Pakistan is “highly vulnerable” to its impacts.

Unusually heavy rains and the melting of glaciers in June 2022 triggered flash floods in many parts of the country. Over 1,700 people were killed as large swathes of crops were destroyed and critical infrastructure was damaged. Pakistan estimated losses of over $30 billion from the floods. 

Sharif also expressed his best wishes for the king’s health and for Catherine Middleton, the princess of Wales, who announced in May that was suffering from cancer. 

“Recalling the fond memories of the King’s last visit to Pakistan, when he was the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister hoped that the King and Her Majesty The Queen would visit Pakistan soon,” the PMO said. 

Pakistan is a member of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries out of which the vast majority are former British territories.

The governments of Commonwealth countries pledge to promote common objectives such as development, democracy and peace.