Commonwealth leaders have declared it is time to address reparations for slavery.

During the two-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, leaders called for dialogue on reparatory justice. 

The final communiqué from the summit urges a “meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation” to address the “enduring effects” of slavery, Indigenous dispossession, and blackbirding, describing these as “common historical experiences” shared by many Commonwealth countries.

The UK has rejected financial reparations or a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed this stance, saying’ “None of the discussions have been about money”, and maintaining that the UK’s position remains “very, very clear”. 

However, he signalled openness to discussing broader forms of reparatory justice, potentially at the upcoming UK-Caribbean forum in March 2025.

Caribbean and African nations led the push for reparations, arguing that former colonial powers should support those harmed by colonialism. 

The Bahamas’ Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell expressed hope for a “comprehensive report” on the issue at the UK-Caribbean forum, saying; “Behind the language is an attempt to go in a particular direction”.

Negotiations on reparations were contentious, with sources citing frustration among some Caribbean leaders over UK resistance. 

A draft of the communiqué reportedly included a pledge to "facilitate further research" into the slave trade, but this was omitted from the final text.

Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland likened the discussions to previous debates on difficult subjects like apartheid, indicating the organisation’s readiness to tackle reparatory justice. However, she did not specify when or how dialogue would progress.

The communiqué also saw commitments on climate action and marine conservation. Leaders endorsed a new Oceans Declaration, advocated for low-carbon energy transitions, and called for developed countries to provide at least $100 billion annually to help developing nations mitigate climate change impacts. 

These issues will be further discussed at the COP29 summit in Baku next month.

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