The 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which was due to take place in Rwandan capital Kigali on June 22-27, has been postponed for an indefinite period due to the coronavirus pandemic the Commonwealth Secretariat announced Tuesday.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Patricia Scotland, the secretary-general of the Commonwealth, said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of modern history, whereby 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,” Scotland said.

She mentioned that the current circumstances require heroic decisions, adding that the organization stand together with Rwanda.

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