(Commonwealth)_ The Commonwealth Secretariat is hopeful on a positive note as it embarks on revealing its fresh 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. Its vision is building democratic, economic, and environmental resiliency in 56 member nations and enhancing cooperation with accredited institutions and global partners.
In its strategic planning process, the Secretariat has conducted extensive consultations with members of 97 accredited organizations, the Board of Governors, member states, staff, and other stakeholders. These have guided the Secretariat in developing the building blocks for an inclusive, responsive, and productive Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Euler has introduced the new strategic vision, which is led by the Hon. Shirley Botchwey, who has worked tirelessly on a far-reaching agenda focused on empowerment and democratic growth. She is committed to making trade a fulfilling driving force in business and economic development in harmony with human potential and to making social development and democratic institutions more sensitive. She advocated for changing the economic model for 2.7 billion Commonwealth citizens to better serve them and position them as an overseas force for consumption, investment, and innovation.
Of paramount importance amongst high-priority areas is the building of digital learning through e-learning. The goal is to make access to finance the pillar in building the foundation for all Commonwealth children willing to acquire digital and entrepreneurial skills. Building a clean energy revolution within member states to build local industry and finance and being tasked with meeting climate challenges was also underscored by Botchwey.
The new strategy rests on three pillars of resilience:
Democratic Resilience—enhancing human rights, rule of law, good governance, and electoral systems;
Economic Resilience—enhancing equal access to finance, people-centered trade policy, and sustainable debt management;
Environmental Resilience—enhancing a healthy climate and oceans, and sustainable energy and natural resource management.
The four pillars will be buttressed by a solid commitment to social inclusion, where young men and young women are empowered and actively involved in all facets of development and governance. Removal of disabling barriers to their participation is regarded as essential to the ultimate success of the Commonwealth.
Strategic planning has been directed through the theme of resilience that Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed in 2024. A continuous series of public consultations has informed and set strategic priorities. This involved staff, representatives at the national level, and civil society leaders, whose remarks, questions, and comments shaped the ultimate vision.
Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo chaired the planning exercise, reporting on ongoing initiatives and providing context to guide decision-making. Regional centers, centers of excellence in thematic priority topics, and reorganization of heads of government and ministers’ meeting arrangements are under consideration.
A parallel strategy is also being pursued for the pipeline to further consolidate bonds and add value to the Commonwealth system. The strategy will try to leverage the maximum international outreach and capacity of accredited institutions. In a show of renewed revitalization and faith in the Secretariat, seven new institutions were added to the accredited list in June and thus further consolidated the capacity of the Commonwealth to deliver its mandates.
It will drive but also comprise a master schedule for change to a more responsive, resilient, and efficient Secretariat. It will lay the template of how the organisation interacts with the countries, partners, donors, and citizens to drive sustainable development in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Last-minute briefings to the stakeholders and Board of Governors will be conducted prior to the execution of the plan later this year. Once approved, the Strategic Plan 2025–2030 will serve as a guide for the Commonwealth’s work towards its ambitious new vision for the next decade.
