Commonwealth meeting to discuss UK slave trade 'apologies and reparations'

A British apology and reparations for past imperial-era slave trade will be discussed at the Commonwealth Summit, which will start on Monday in Samoa, an island nation in the South Pacific, Reuters and others reported.

King Charles III of England will attend the meeting in person.

The Caribbean Community and Commonwealth countries of the African Union see the meeting as an important opportunity and plan to bring the issue of reparations to the agenda.

The British government said it had no plans to announce an apology or reparations at the meeting, but British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he could talk to leaders who wanted to discuss the matter.

King Charles III attended the 2022 summit, when he was the crown prince, and said he was "saddened" by Britain's involvement in slave trade in the past, but did not apologize.

From the 15th to the end of the 19th century, it is estimated that at least 12.5 million people were sold as slaves in Africa.

Those seeking reparations argue that the fallout from racism and inequality from slavery continues to this day, but those who oppose it say that the state should not be held accountable for historical wrongdoing.

The meeting will also discuss ways to respond to climate change, in which Pacific island countries belonging to the Commonwealth are directly threatened.

The Commonwealth Summit is a biennial gathering of leaders of 56 Commonwealth member states to strengthen cooperation and communication and discuss international issues.