More than 250 prospective volunteers have completed a major training exercise as Antigua and Barbuda intensifies preparations to host the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), according to Antigua News Room.
The one-day session, held Saturday at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre, forms part of the country's effort to recruit at least 500 volunteers ahead of the November 1 to 4 summit.
CHOGM 2026 Volunteer Coordinator Anika Kentish said participants responded positively to the interactive training programme, which covered a broad range of areas designed to prepare volunteers for the demands of a major international event.
Kentish noted that the demand for volunteers is significantly higher than for recent large-scale conferences hosted by the twin-island nation, including the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in 2024 and the Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly held last year.
Training modules covered an introduction to the Commonwealth and CHOGM, service excellence, communication, teamwork, and professionalism, including ethics.
Kentish added that further training will be conducted following the Carnival celebrations. Those sessions will include leadership training for team and venue leaders, as well as job-specific instruction where required.
Organisers say volunteers will play a central role in delivering the summit, which is expected to bring heads of government and delegates from across the Commonwealth to Antigua and Barbuda later this year.
