“Investing in learning is where we can see immediate returns.”
Speaking at today’s Foreign Ministers’ Roundtable with Civil Society and Accredited Organisations at #CHOGM2026, Ms Anne-Marie Scott, Vice-President of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), highlighted that more than 60% of the Commonwealth’s population is under 30.
To help turn this potential into action, COL has brought 15 talking points and 12 concrete opportunities for action to CHOGM. Each outlines clear next steps and milestones to measure progress towards tangible outcomes by 2030 and beyond. Together, they focus on changing learning systems, developing skills for decent work and productive lives, and harnessing technology for transformation.
Central to this work, Ms Scott emphasised, is listening to Member Countries and responding to their priorities. COL does this by understanding national strategies, engaging directly with countries face to face where possible and openly publishing annual country reports. This engagement continues next week in Mauritius, where COL will convene its regional Africa Focal Points meeting.
Partnerships are just as essential to delivering results. Examples include work on frugal, sustainable and sovereign AI for small states; research on skills education with the Association of Commonwealth Universities; and collaboration with NGO partners to reach the most marginalised.
“If we do these things well, we build trust. And trust is the glue of partnership,” Ms Scott concluded.
For the young people of Team Beach Busters, sargassum seaweed is a daily reality. It washes up on Caribbean shores, lingers for months and can cause headaches and nausea.
At the #CHOGM2026 Youth Forum in Antigua and Barbuda today, the team presented their proposed solution: a four-wheeled, beach buggy-style robot designed to harvest sargassum while protecting marine life. The solution has a dual purpose: clearing beaches while enabling the collected seaweed to be repurposed into biodegradable packaging, art and other products, creating jobs and new opportunities in the orange economy.
Part of COL’s Pan-Caribbean Youth Robotics Innovation Project for Blue-Green Resilience and Prosperity, Team Beach Busters is demonstrating how young people can bring fresh ideas and practical approaches to challenges affecting their communities. The showcase, organised with support from GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, provided a platform to share these youth-led innovations with Commonwealth leaders.
Explore the project and follow the blue-green solutions emerging from all seven youth teams: www.col.org/youthrobotics
Commonwealth leaders gathered today for the official opening of #CHOGM2026, united by a shared ambition to accelerate partnerships and investment for a more prosperous Commonwealth.
COL was honoured to join dignitaries and partners from across the Commonwealth at the Opening Ceremony, including His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth; the Rt Hon Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; the Hon Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia; the Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o, Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa; and the Hon Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Their remarks emphasised the need for collective action in responding to growing global uncertainty, climate pressures and rapidly changing technologies. From investing in skills development and expanding opportunities for young people to mobilising climate finance and accelerating green energy, the messages highlighted the importance of adapting to shared challenges and building a more resilient future.
With CHOGM 2026 positioned as a summit of action, COL looks forward to working with Commonwealth partners to turn shared ambitions into practical solutions that benefit people and communities. Explore our strategic talking points and contribute to what comes next: www.col.org/chogm26
“Investing in learning is where we can see immediate returns.”
Speaking at today’s Foreign Ministers’ Roundtable with Civil Society and Accredited Organisations at #CHOGM2026, Ms Anne-Marie Scott, Vice-President of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), highlighted that more than
Commonwealth leaders gathered for the official opening of #CHOGM2026 today, united by a shared ambition to accelerate partnerships and investment for a more prosperous Commonwealth.
COL was honoured to join dignitaries and partners from across the Commonwealth at the Opening
