Antiguans and Barbudans are being called upon to unite behind preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled for November 1–4, 2026, in Saint John's.
High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill has described the upcoming summit as a "whole of government" and "whole of country" effort, emphasising the critical role that volunteers, citizens, and residents will play in shaping the experience of the thousands of visitors expected to descend on Antigua and Barbuda.
Hill praised the professionalism and warmth displayed by local volunteers during the SIDS 4 Conference, citing her own interactions with volunteers at the American University of Antigua (AUA) as a standout example. "They were so well scripted. They were so pleasant," she said. "That was an experience I heard a lot of people respond to and see."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing its volunteer recruitment campaign ahead of CHOGM, targeting approximately 400 volunteers. Hill confirmed that roughly half that number has already been secured.
The ministry is also recruiting Delegation Liaison Officers (DLOs) — individuals assigned to assist visiting delegations throughout the summit. The government is aiming to place 200 DLOs and has already begun training the first 120 recruits.
Hill is urging citizens interested in volunteering to seize the opportunity, describing it as a chance to gain valuable experience while engaging with high-level international guests. "You get a wonderful experience, a chance to work and interact directly with all the thousands of guests who will be on island," she said.
The High Commissioner underscored the enormous tourism and promotional value CHOGM is expected to generate, likening the event to a global advertising campaign the country could not otherwise afford. "This is advertising dollars that I think our tourism team… will be salivating over," she stated. "We couldn't afford this kind of dollar value in terms of what is coming to our shores."
Hill also stressed the importance of making a strong first impression, noting that advance teams from approximately 25 countries have already visited Antigua and Barbuda to assess preparations and report back to their respective governments.
Reflecting on her experience accompanying visiting delegations around the island, Hill said the process gave her a renewed appreciation for her home country. She is encouraging citizens from every sector — including taxi drivers, fisherfolk, farmers, and hospitality workers — to recognise the vital role each of them will play in presenting Antigua and Barbuda to the world.
