Commonwealth nations to discuss slavery, climate change at Samoa summit

By James Redmayne and Catarina Demony

APIA (Reuters) - The leaders of the Commonwealth group of nations will meet at a welcome banquet in Samoa in the South Pacific on Thursday, with climate change and reparations for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade both likely to be on the agenda.

Leaders and officials from 56 countries with roots in Britain's empire are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the small island nation, that began on Monday.

British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said on Monday the UK will not bring the issue of reparations for historical transatlantic slavery to the table at the summit, but is open to engage with leaders who want to discuss it.

The idea of reparations for transatlantic slavery is long-standing but has recently been gaining momentum worldwide, particularly those part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and more recently the African Union.

The CARICOM reparations commission has been set up to seek reparations from former colonial powers such as the United Kingdom, France and Portugal.

Those opposed to paying reparations say countries shouldn't be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in favour say the legacy of slavery has resulted in persistent and vast racial inequalities today.

A CARICOM source familiar with the matter told Reuters CHOGM presents an “important opportunity” for dialogue on reparations and the region will be tabling the issue there.

"It is a priority for many of the Commonwealth's member countries and whenever those affected by atrocities ask to talk, there should always be a willingness to sit down and listen," said Kingsley Abbott, director of the University of London's Institute of Commonwealth Studies, who is attending the summit.

From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped and forcibly transported by European ships and merchants and sold into slavery. Those who survived the brutal voyage ended up toiling on plantations under inhumane conditions in the Americas, mostly in Brazil and the Caribbean, while others profited from their labor.

KING CHARLES TO WITNESS RISING SEAS IMPACT

More than half of the Commonwealth's members are small states, many of which are low-lying island nations at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said ocean temperatures are rising in the Pacific Islands at three times the rate worldwide, and its population is "uniquely exposed" to the impact of rising sea levels.

Britain's King Charles, who is attending CHOGM, will on Thursday be shown the impact of rising sea levels which are forcing people to move inland, a Samoan chief said.

Island leaders are expected to issue a declaration on ocean protection at the summit, with climate change being a central topic of discussion.

The summit wraps up with a leaders' retreat and press conference on Saturday.

(Reporting by in James Redmayne in Apia and Catarina Demony in London; Writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Michael Perry)