KIGALI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which was scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from June 22 to 27 has been indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This decision was made in accordance with the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding Establishing the Commonwealth Secretariat and the CHOGM Technical Manual, as well as with precedent, a statement from the Commonwealth said.

"In the coming months, every Commonwealth nation will be fully focused on combatting COVID-19 and its socio-economic impact on our people. Our organization's deep reservoirs of solidarity and expertise will be invaluable tools as we work together globally to ensure no country is left behind," Rwandan President Paul Kagame said.

"We look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth family to Kigali for CHOGM once the pandemic has been defeated."

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of modern history.

"Lives have been lost, economies are shrinking, and livelihoods have been shattered. It is difficult to predict what the new normal will look like. We must be mindful of the risks large meetings pose to all," she said.

Noting that the current circumstances require heroic decisions, Scotland affirmed their stand together with Rwanda, and thanked all member countries their commitment in these trying times.

"I too warmly look forward to reuniting with the Commonwealth family, face-to-face, in the beautiful country of Rwanda," she said.

The Commonwealth is an association of 54 independent countries mainly former colonies of Britain.

The last country to join the Commonwealth was Rwanda in 2009.

Rwanda on Tuesday said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the central African country reached 150, while the number of people who have recovered rose to 84, according to the health ministry. Enditem

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