The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent and equal sovereign states. Sixty percent of its 2.2 billion citizens are under the age of 30. The Commonwealth includes some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries, spanning five regions. Thirty-one of its members are small states, many of them island nations.

Our Vision

To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values. 

Our Mission

We support member governments, and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others, to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally. 

Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Priorities

Since taking office on 1 April 2016, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, has been focused on helping Commonwealth countries to achieve the recently ratified United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, work towards the delivery of COP 21 and to uphold The Commonwealth Charter.

She has identified the following priorities: tackling the existential threat of climate change; promoting trade, good governance and human rights; ending violence against women and girls and promoting gender equality; and providing new opportunities for Commonwealth young people and enabling the next generation to achieve their full potential.

Secretary-General Scotland has been delivering on these priorities:

• Holding a high-level dialogue in her first week to develop a Commonwealth plan to deliver COP 21 and 22.

• Hosting the Tackling Corruption Together Conference, during which she announced the creation of the Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform.

• Launching the Commonwealth Hub to ensure the active network of intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional Commonwealth organisations are working together in a collaborative, dynamic and innovative way.

• Holding an inaugural women’s leadership summit in July to develop a Commonwealth manifesto and action plan on gender issues and equality.

• Launching a new and exciting student leadership programme with Common Purpose in July, which will capture the talent and innovation in universities across the Commonwealth and boost students’ leadership skills.