By ggablog 
King Charles III has addressed world leaders, stating that while “none of us can change the past,” nations can commit to finding “creative ways to address enduring inequalities,” amidst increasing calls for reparations related to the transatlantic slave trade.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, this was his first address to the summit since assuming leadership of the Commonwealth. He urged unity among leaders, encouraging them to “find the right ways and the right language” to tackle modern issues rooted in historical injustices.
“Our cohesion requires acknowledgment of our origins. I’ve heard from people across the Commonwealth how the painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” Charles remarked. “Therefore, understanding our history is crucial to making informed choices for the future.”
The topic of reparations has gained traction recently, with some Commonwealth members renewing demands for Britain to compensate for its historical involvement in slavery. Ahead of the meeting, the BBC reported that diplomats were drafting a statement for the summit’s communique to promote “meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation” on the matter.
Despite this, Downing Street has asserted that reparations are not on the agenda. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attending the summit, acknowledged the “abhorrent” nature of the slave trade but emphasized a forward-looking approach, focusing on current challenges like climate resilience and trade among Commonwealth nations. Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated that the government would not be making any reparations payments, stating, “I understand why they make those demands, but that’s not something this government is doing.”
Although King Charles did not specifically mention slavery in his address, he highlighted that the Commonwealth represents “a third of humanity” and called for open and respectful discussions on pressing issues. He urged leaders to adopt a language of community rather than division in light of the world’s significant challenges.
CHOGM convenes every two years, bringing together representatives from the 56 member states to collaborate on pressing global issues, including climate change, youth opportunities, and inclusive prosperity.
Some had hoped that Charles would take the opportunity to apologize for Britain’s colonial past. However, as a representative of the government during such overseas visits, he is bound to follow the advice of ministers. While he did not offer a formal apology or directly engage with the issue, his speech appeared to resonate with concerns voiced by some leaders.
In recent years, the British monarchy has taken a more conciliatory stance regarding the historical injustices of transatlantic slavery. During his visit to Kenya in November, Charles expressed that the “wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret.” At the last Commonwealth leaders’ summit in Rwanda two years ago, he emphasized the need to “find new ways to acknowledge our past,” asserting that “this is a conversation whose time has come.”
This year’s CHOGM theme was “One Resilient Future: Transforming Our Common Wealth.” In his address, Charles also expressed empathy for member nations facing climate change challenges, which exacerbate global inequalities. He stated, “We are well past believing it is a problem for the future, as it is already undermining the development gains we have long fought for.” He pointed out the alarming events of the year, including severe storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa, and catastrophic wildfires in Canada, stressing that lives, livelihoods, and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth, particularly for island nations threatened by rising sea levels.