On Thursday 9 January 2026, His Excellency TYT Ambassador Hendy Assan attended a gathering at the residence of the British Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome, bringing together Commonwealth Ambassadors and senior diplomatic representatives at the Holy See. The gathering was also attended by His Excellency Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, adding to the significance of the occasion.
The event provided an early opportunity in the New Year for fellowship and open exchange among Commonwealth Heads of Missions. A central focus of the discussion was a presentation by His Excellency Ambassador Sir David Shoul, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the Holy See and representative of the Incoming Chair-in-Office. Ambassador Shoul shared Antigua and Barbuda’s key priorities in the lead-up to the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), outlining the themes and objectives that are expected to shape discussions within the Commonwealth.
