Climate, malaria highlighted as Commonwealth leaders meet

By IGNATIUS SSUUNA
Associated Press

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Leaders of Commonwealth nations are meeting in Rwanda’s capital  to tackle climate change, tropical diseases and other challenges deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit for Commonwealth heads of state in Kigali culminates meetings this week that officials said yielded some success. The group of 54 nations comprises mostly former British colonies, and its titular head is Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Charles is representing his 96-year-old mother at the summit. The event is taking place at an uncertain time for the Commonwealth, which is home to 2.5 billion people but whose relevance is sometimes questioned. Its members reelected British diplomat Patricia Scotland as the group’s secretary-general on Friday.