VALETTA, Malta: Malaysia will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2020, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The announcement was made at the closing of CHOGM after it was decided that the United Kingdom will take over Vanuatu’s turn to host the biennial meeting in 2018.

This has pushed forward Malaysia’s turn to be CHOGM host which was suppose to be in 2019. Vanuatu had earlier pulled out of hosting the 2017 CHOGM after Cyclone Pam hit the Pacific island nation in March.

“Malaysia is chosen to be host of CHOGM in 2020, and it comes 31 years after the country became the host nation in 1989. It also comes after we hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

“It is an appreciation to Malaysia because she has played an important role among Commonwealth members,” said Zahid after the close of CHOGM, which is in its 24th edition this year.

-New Straits Times