Commonwealth ends summit with call for action on climate change and trade

The newly expanded Commonwealth has made broad commitments to address climate change and boost trade, concluding a summit aimed at shoring up the relevance of a group that evolved from the British empire. Key points: The African nations of Gabon and Togo have been admitted into the Commonwealth group of nations Australia's delegation to the meeting was led by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles A controversial asylum deal between the UK and hosts Rwanda loomed over the summit The week-long Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda's capital Kigali included comments from Britain's Prince Charles expressing sorrow for his country's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the first time the Commonwealth has publicly addressed the subject. "We welcome them," said Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose government hosted a summit of Commonwealth leaders this week. Also in the spotlight has been Britain's controversial policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, described as "appalling" by Prince Charles, according to British media. "Commonwealth leaders must take a firm and clear stance to force the UK government to rescind its misguided, cruel and racist policy that shifts its responsibility towards refugees and asylum seekers to Rwanda."