At the close of a week-long Commonwealth summit in Samoa, leaders from the 56-member group on Saturday urged Britain to engage in discussions on reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. The call comes amid a renewed global push to address the historical legacies of slavery and the economic and social inequalities that persist today.

The summit, held in the Pacific nation, highlighted the issues of slavery and climate change, both central themes for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Most member states share historical ties to Britain’s colonial empire, and the topic of reparations has gained particular momentum among Caribbean and African nations.

In a joint statement, Commonwealth leaders expressed that “the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.” This statement was seen as a significant moment in the ongoing calls for reparative justice, as it marked a collective acknowledgment of the need to address colonial-era wrongs.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, underscored that discussions around reparations were not about financial compensation. “In the two days we’ve been here, none of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear in relation to that,” he stated at a press conference following the summit.

The reparations discussion also touched on “blackbirding”—the practice in which people from Pacific Islands and other regions were coerced, deceived, or forcibly taken to work on plantations. Commonwealth members in favor of reparations argue that the legacies of slavery and exploitative practices like blackbirding have contributed to enduring inequalities. Opponents, meanwhile, question the feasibility of holding countries accountable for historical actions.

Professor Kingsley Abbott, director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, characterized the joint statement as a potential breakthrough. “The commitment to conversations on reparatory justice wedges open the door for dialogue, and now the hard work really begins,” said Abbott, who attended the summit.

The leaders also addressed the climate crisis, with a particular focus on the impacts of rising sea levels on small island nations. In a historic move, the summit produced the Commonwealth’s first Oceans Declaration, which supports the establishment of fixed maritime boundaries for island nations threatened by climate change. This landmark agreement holds that even if rising seas submerge territories, nations should retain their maritime zones, securing economic rights to vast ocean resources.

This provision is particularly crucial for low-lying islands like Tuvalu, as it ensures these nations can continue to benefit from their fishing waters and other marine resources even if forced to relocate due to climate impacts. The declaration strengthens international support for the recognition of the perpetual statehood of vulnerable island states, advancing the legal framework to safeguard their territorial integrity despite the effects of climate change.

With over half of the Commonwealth’s members comprising small nations, many of which face severe climate-related threats, the commitment to fixed maritime boundaries represents a significant step toward securing economic futures and environmental justice for these states.