The Commonwealth is a voluntary association that consists of 56 independent and equal countries.
The Commonwealth is home to 2.7 billion people. It includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of its members tend to be small states, which include many island nations.
Member governments have agreed to share goals, such as development, democracy, and peace. The Commonwealth Charter expresses these values and principles.
The roots of the Commonwealth date back to the British Empire. However, today, any country may join the trendy Commonwealth, provided they adhere to its values and principles as outlined in the Commonwealth Charter. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth, Gabon and Togo, did so four years ago in 2022.
The Commonwealth forum is often described as a ‘family’ of nations. At its heart are 3 intergovernmental organisations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth Secretariat assists member countries in accomplishing the objectives of the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Foundation
Exists to support people’s participation in democracy and development
The Commonwealth of Learning
The Commonwealth of Learning exists to foster learning and distance education.
Marlborough House on Pall Mall in London houses both the international headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation.
A network of more than 90 intergovernmental, civil, cultural, and professional organisations also supports the Commonwealth member countries.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.
His Majesty
King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth.
The role
It is important & symbolic.
Moves without a maximum fixed term
It isn’t hereditary. Future heads are to be chosen by Commonwealth leaders.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is an intergovernmental organization that exists to support member countries and coordinate Commonwealth activities.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s role is to represent the Commonwealth publicly. Is the chief executive of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Currently, the secretary-general is Shirley Botchwey.
Board of Governors
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Board of Governors represents all member governments through their respective High Commissioners. The Board of Governors usually meets once annually. Its role is to approve the secretariat’s strategic plans, besides work programs and budgets.
The Chairperson of the Board of Governors and the representative of the Chair of the Office tend to sit on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is a subcommittee of the Board of Governors. It moves with powers to initiate policy recommendations to the board, besides overseeing budgets and audit functions. The executive committee includes the 8 largest contributors to the secretariat’s total resources. Additional member countries from each region are elected to serve two-year terms.
Commonwealth Chair-in-Office
The incumbent is Samoan Prime Minister Hon. Laaulialerialietoa Schmidt.
The Chair-in-Office (CIO) represents the Commonwealth at high-level international meetings.
Commemorating Commonwealth Day and speaking exclusively to the Commonwealth Union (CU), President of the Commonwealth Union – Mr Nirj Deva said ” This Commonwealth Day is very Special. The Commonwealth family both at inter governmental level and through the Peoples Commonwealth Union’s cyber community is coming together at an extraordinary and dangerous time for humanity to; proudly proclaim and reaffirm our common values of freedom under the rule of law, representative democracy, equity equal justice and peace for all, remmembering a shared history where millions of Commonwealth soldiers suffered casualties as seen in Commonwealth numerous war graves after two other World Wars where they voluntarily defended these freedoms and values – as first ennunciated in the Magna Carta and still standing tall and resolute against global, injustice and fetid authoritarianism, continuing to support a rules based order of national and human interactions reinforcing with vigour and moral courage that we shall never be moved and we shall always prevail.”
