Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. George Chaponda, has called on the Commonwealth to implement time-bound and high-impact programmes aimed at addressing trade barriers and expanding opportunities for intra-Commonwealth trade to benefit developing member states such as Malawi.
Dr. Chaponda said such initiatives are crucial for unlocking the full economic potential of the Commonwealth of Nations for the benefit of all its members.
He made the remarks on Sunday, 8 March 2026, when he participated in the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held at Lancaster House in London, United Kingdom.
The meeting brought together Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth to deliberate on the organization’s role in a rapidly changing global environment and to explore ways of repositioning the Commonwealth to respond more effectively to emerging global challenges.
During the discussions, Ministers supported a range of reform proposals aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Commonwealth.
They also emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation among member states amid increasing global uncertainty.
Among the priorities highlighted were enhancing the Commonwealth’s global visibility and strategic partnerships, promoting intra-Commonwealth trade, and increasing support to vulnerable member states, including Malawi.
On the margins of the meeting, Dr. Chaponda held interactions with several high-ranking dignitaries, including the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey.
