There is something powerful about sport’s ability to create common ground across the globe.

Throughout the Commonwealth, our nations and territories differ in size, culture, history, economy and perspective. Yet when athletes compete, sport creates a shared language, connecting people across borders and showing what we can achieve together.

That matters well beyond the field of play.

In November, Commonwealth leaders will gather on the beautiful islands of Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), its highest-level forum for addressing shared challenges and opportunities.

This year, I believe sport has an important contribution to make to that conversation.

That is why, on November 2nd, we will convene the Commonwealth Sport Summit, an official CHOGM side event bringing together leaders from government, sport, civil society and industry.

Our ambition is clear: sport should not sit on the sidelines of debates about our societies and economies, it can help shape the response.

Sport as a bridge between nations

We as Commonwealth Sport, naturally value sport for competition, participation and athletes’ achievements. But sport also deserves recognition as a platform for international cooperation and diplomacy.

We believe the Commonwealth Sport Movement is well placed to show this.

Our 74 nations and territories span the globe and represent 2.7 billion people, from some of the world’s largest countries to small island states. At the Commonwealth Games, each shares the same stage as equals.

For almost a century, this has built connections between athletes, communities, fans and nations beyond competition, reflecting our belief that sport is a universal language.

As genuine international cooperation becomes more valuable, we should not underestimate these relationships.

Sports diplomacy is more than just major events. Its deeper opportunity lies in using sport’s networks to sustain cooperation among governments, sporting organisations, communities, businesses and international partners.

That is an area in which I believe Commonwealth Sport can play an increasingly important role.

From shared values to shared challenges

There is also a practical case for bringing sport into wider government discussions.

The challenges facing our nations, cross sectoral boundaries. Health and inactivity, youth opportunity, economic development, inclusion, sport tourism and community resilience all demand cross-sector partnerships.

Sport intersects with every one of them.

Across the Commonwealth, sport and physical activity already support healthier lives, youth opportunity, jobs, enterprise and stronger communities. We must connect this work more deliberately to national, regional and international priorities.

We made progress at the 12th Commonwealth Sport Ministers Meeting, where representatives from 50 countries and seven Overseas Territories reaffirmed sport’s contribution to health, inclusion, economic development, youth opportunity, social cohesion and international cooperation.

CHOGM can carry that conversation beyond sport into a broader and important intergovernmental setting.

To fulfil sport’s potential for social and economic change, we need stronger relationships with government, development organisations, civil society, academia and business and a clear understanding of where sport can advance their priorities.

And we need to listen as much as we advocate.

From conversation to collaboration

That thinking will underpin the Commonwealth Sport Summit.

Under the theme “Delivering a Resilient and Prosperous Commonwealth Through Sport,” we will explore healthier communities through Commonwealth Moves; stronger economies through Commonwealth Growth; and connection, cultural exchange and shared identity through Commonwealth Unity.

But the Summit must do more than affirm that sport matters.

Its value will lie in combining perspectives, sharing what works and identifying where collaboration can take us further.

Government brings knowledge and reach; sport, networks and engagement; athletes, lived experience and powerful voices; civil society, community insight; and business, investment and innovation. The opportunity lies in combining these strengths.

The Commonwealth Sport Movement has always been about more than medals, bringing people together to create connection, opportunity and understanding.

In Antigua and Barbuda, I hope we can apply that principle to the Commonwealth’s shared challenges.

I look forward to welcoming colleagues from government, sport, civil society and industry and, above all, hearing their perspectives.

If you will be attending CHOGM 2026, I encourage you to register your interest in joining us at the Commonwealth Sport Summit on 2 November.

Register your interest in the Commonwealth Sport Summit