COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING 2018
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018) will be held in the United Kingdom, from Monday 16 to Friday 20 April 2018.
The summit’s theme is: ‘Towards a Common Future’ and is focused on building on the strengths of the Commonwealth to ensure this unique organisation is responsive to global challenges and delivers a more prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair future for all its citizens, particularly its young people.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Media accreditation for CHOGM 2018 is now open at https://media.chogm2018.org.uk. In order to apply for accreditation, you will be required to provide a number of documents so please ensure you have these to hand when submitting your online application.
The closing deadline for registration is 23:59 GMT on 11 March 2018.
Accreditation timeline
- Tuesday 23 January: Media accreditation opens
- Sunday 11 March: Media accreditation closes
- Saturday 17 March: Applicants informed on the outcome of their accreditation application by this date
- Monday 26 March: 15 working days until the beginning of CHOGM week – UKVI advises visa applicants to apply for visas no later than 15 working days before their date of travel
- Sunday 15 April: Media Centre and accreditation pass collection opens
- Monday 16 April: Week of CHOGM 2018 begins with the Commonwealth Forums
Commonwealth Forums
Media wishing to cover the Commonwealth Forums will need to apply for accreditation through the same process and by the same deadline.
Application Process
Media accreditation for CHOGM 2018 is free of charge. Priority will be given to media accrediting from Commonwealth countries.
Those applying for accreditation will need to provide the following:
- a scanned copy of the photo page of their passport or national ID card
- a scanned copy of a national or UN issued press card
- a letter from their bureau chief/editor or High Commission/MFA confirming their assignment
- a colour passport style photograph in .jpeg format, 360 x 460 pixels, portrait oriented and under 2 MB.
Each application for accreditation will be considered on an individual basis and will be subject to a vetting process – only known media will be accredited.
Accreditation can be denied or withdrawn if it is established that an applicant does not have genuine media credentials.
Requests for accreditation received after the accreditation portal has closed on 11 March will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the UK Government.
If you have missed the media accreditation period but would still like to attend and cover the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and Commonwealth Forums, please contact CHOGM18media.enquiries@fco.gov.uk (UK domestic media) or chogm@commonwealth.int (international media).
The Commonwealth Secretariat, in close consultation with the host government, is the final authority for all media accreditation for CHOGM 2018.
We aim to inform applicants whether they have been accredited by 17 March 2018.
Collecting Accreditation
Media passes will not be posted to applicants; they must be collected in person at the media accreditation office. You will be required to bring photo identification in order to collect your accreditation.
The media accreditation collection point will be situated close to the CHOGM 2018 Media Centre at Marlborough House. Further details on the location including operating times, will be provided by e-mail to successful applicants.
If you have any questions on media accreditation, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page of the media accreditation portal. If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for:
- International enquiries should be directed to: chogm@commonwealth.int
- UK domestic enquiries should be sent to: enquiries@fco.gov.uk
MEDIA CENTRE
The CHOGM 2018 Media Centre will be located in the grounds of Marlborough House, only accredited media will be able to enter this venue. A schedule of official media briefings and press conferences at the Media Centre will be released in due course. Media access to CHOGM 2018 venues will be limited and access to some media opportunities, due to space constraints, will be via small escorted media pools. Accredited delegates will be permitted to have access to the Media Centre for media opportunities.
Media Centre Facilities
Accredited media will be able to use the Media Centre to compile material and file reports.
The Media Centre will be an area where accredited media can access facilities which will include:
- workspaces
- media booths
- host broadcast feeds
- press conference facilities
- interview rooms
- areas for pieces to camera.
Operating times
The CHOGM 2018 Media Centre will be operational at the following times:
- Sunday 15 April: 1200 – 1700
- Monday 16 April: 0700 – 2100
- Tuesday 17 April: 0700 – 2100
- Wednesday 18 April: 0500 – Friday 20 April: 2300
Access to Media Opportunities
Media access to CHOGM 2018 venues will be limited and access to some media opportunities, due to space constraints, will be via small escorted media pools.
Within the Media Centre, there will be a gathering point for accredited media who are part of the small escorted media pools for official CHOGM media opportunities. Media pool schedules will be issued during CHOGM 2018 and will be managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat Communications Team and the CHOGM 2018 Logistics Team. Media pool arrangements will only be facilitated from the Media Centre.
Host broadcast will provide footage for all media to use. Further details on access to media opportunities will be circulated in due course.
Press Conferences and Media Briefings
Further information and a schedule of official press conferences and media briefings that will take place at the Media Centre during CHOGM 2018 will be released at a later date.
Food and Beverage Service
Catering facilities for the purchase of food and beverages will be available in the Media Centre and there is a range of cafes, restaurants and shops close to Marlborough House.
For further information about the Media Centre please contact: CHOGM18media.enquiries@fco.gov.uk
MEDIA ACCOMODATION
The UK Government will not be providing media accommodation. Media attending CHOGM 2018 will need to make accommodation arrangements themselves and early booking is advised.
You may wish to visit the official London and Britain visitors guide at www.visitlondon.com and www.visitbritain.com for information on accommodation.
MEDIA TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
London is served by five major airports: London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and London Stansted.
For more information please see: www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/getting-to-london/london-airports
The UK Government will not provide transportation for media between UK point of entry or departure, hotel accommodation or travel to/from the Media Centre. However, transport will be provided across official CHOGM 2018 venues for accredited media who are participating in official media pools. More information on transport for official media pools will be released at a later date.
MEDIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you require a visa to attend CHOGM 2018, please apply in good time and through your usual channels. Applications should not be submitted more than three months before the proposed date of travel.
We recommend that applications are submitted no later than 15 working days before the intended travel date. This will enable UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to consider applications in good time before CHOGM 2018.
Accredited media should refer to the published information on visas to confirm that the route they are applying meets their own specific requirements. For further information please visit: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration. UKVI offices in the UK and overseas have been advised of CHOGM 2018.