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Monday 10 March </p> </div> <a href="https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day" target="_self" class="button button--arrow-right">Learn more</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="main-wrapper" class="layout-main-wrapper layout-container"> <div id="main" class="layout-main"> <main id="content" class="main-content-wrap"> <a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"></a> <div class="section-banner"> <div class="banner has-media"> <div class="region region-hero"> <div id="block-entityviewcontent-2" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode"> <div class="block__content"> <div class="section-banner banner-bg" style="background-image: url(https://production-new-commonwealth-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/hero_banner/public/2022-03/flags%20cover%20image%20high%20res.jpg?VersionId=b2SC2SPcdDuKsvh28ZysKrFLotxLHA9O&h=9360cf68&itok=aUe5WPfL)"> <div class="grid lg-2 md-2"> <div class="span" style="background-color: rgba(55,55,125, 0.9);"> <div class="box"> <h2> <span>About us</span> </h2> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-content"> <div class="region region--highlighted grid grid-tight"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden messages-list"></div> </div> <div class="region regioncontent"> <div id="block-cdstarterkit-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block"> <div class="block__content"> <article about="/about-us" class="node node--type-landing-page node--view-mode-full"> <header class=""> </header> <div class="node__content"> <div class="section-full-width"> <div class="section-padding-bottom-0 section-padding-top-0 layout layout--onecol-section layout--onecol-section--100 container grid"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="content-block--content-block block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcontent-block custom-content-block"> <div class="content-block--body clearfix"> <p>The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of <a href="/member-countries">56 independent and equal countries</a>.</p> <p>It is home to 2.7 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations.</p> <p>Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the <a href="/charter">Commonwealth Charter</a>.</p> <p>The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today <a href="/about/joining">any country can join</a> the modern Commonwealth. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.</p> <p><a class="link-arrow" href="/history">Our history</a></p> <p><a class="link-arrow" href="about/facts">Commonwealth facts</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bg-1 bg section-full-width"> <div class="section-padding-bottom-0 section-padding-top-0 layout layout--onecol-section layout--onecol-section--100 container grid"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="content-block--content-block block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcontent-block custom-content-block"> <h2>Organisations</h2> <div class="content-block--body clearfix"> <p>The Commonwealth is often described as a 'family' of nations. At the heart of this family are three intergovernmental organisations:</p> <ul> <li><strong>The Commonwealth Secretariat </strong>supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth's aims. This website is run by the Commonwealth Secretariat.</li> <li><a href="/about/commonwealth-foundation">The Commonwealth Foundation</a> supports people's participation in democracy and development.</li> <li><a href="/about/commonwealth-of-learning">The Commonwealth of Learning</a> promotes open learning and distance education.</li> </ul> <p>The international headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation are located in <a href="/marlborough-house">Marlborough House</a> on Pall Mall in London.</p> <p>Commonwealth member countries are also supported by <a href="/organisations-directory">a network of more than 80</a> intergovernmental, civil, cultural and professional organisations</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section-padding-bottom-0 pull-left layout layout--onecol-section layout--onecol-section--100 grid"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="content-block--content-block block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcontent-block custom-content-block"> <div class="content-block--body clearfix"> <h3>About the Commonwealth Secretariat</h3> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--50-50 section-padding-bottom-0 section-padding-top-0 grid lg-2 md-2 sm-1"> <div class="grid-col-first"> <div class="content-block--accordion block block-layout-builder custom-content-block"> <div class="content-accordion content-accordion--vertical"> <h3> <button aria-expanded="false" id="content-accordion--heading-269-0" aria-controls="content-accordion--panel-269-0" class="content-accordion--heading"> What we do <span class="btn-more">Read more</span> <span class="btn-less">Read less</span> </button> </h3> <div role="alert" id="content-accordion--panel-269-0" aria-labelledby="content-accordion--heading-269-0" class="content-accordion--panel"> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports <a href="/member-countries">member countries</a> to achieve the Commonwealth's aims of development, democracy and peace.</p> <p>We:</p> <ul> <li>are a voice for small and vulnerable states</li> <li>champion young people</li> <li>promote justice and human rights</li> <li>address threats like climate change, debt and inequality</li> <li>help grow economies and boost trade</li> <li>support decision-makers to make good laws and deliver policies</li> <li>help strengthen governance and build inclusive public institutions</li> <li>provide technical help and training</li> <li>send experts and observers to countries to give impartial advice and help solve national problems</li> <li>provide systems, software and research for managing resources.</li> </ul> <p><a class="link-button" href="/our-work">Explore our work and programmes</a></p></div> </div> <h3> <button aria-expanded="false" id="content-accordion--heading-269-1" aria-controls="content-accordion--panel-269-1" class="content-accordion--heading last"> Summits <span class="btn-more">Read more</span> <span class="btn-less">Read less</span> </button> </h3> <div role="alert" id="content-accordion--panel-269-1" aria-labelledby="content-accordion--heading-269-1" class="content-accordion--panel"> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>At Commonwealth summits, we bring government leaders together to make decisions which impact the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.</p> <p>By uniting our member countries, we amplify their voices and help them work together on global challenges.</p> <p>Leaders agree priority areas of work at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM), which happen every two years.</p> <p>The next CHOGM summit is in Samoa in 2024.</p> <p><a class="link-arrow" href="/chogm">Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings</a></p> <p><a class="link-arrow" href="/commonwealth-declarations">Commonwealth Declarations</a></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-col-second"> <div class="content-block--accordion block block-layout-builder custom-content-block"> <div class="content-accordion content-accordion--vertical"> <h3> <button aria-expanded="false" id="content-accordion--heading-270-0" aria-controls="content-accordion--panel-270-0" class="content-accordion--heading"> Secretary-General <span class="btn-more">Read more</span> <span class="btn-less">Read less</span> </button> </h3> <div role="alert" id="content-accordion--panel-270-0" aria-labelledby="content-accordion--heading-270-0" class="content-accordion--panel"> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Commonwealth Secretary-General is responsible for:</p> <ul> <li>promoting and protecting the Commonwealth’s values</li> <li>representing the Commonwealth publicly</li> <li>the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.</li> </ul> <p>The Secretary-General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve a maximum of two terms of four years each.</p> <p><a href="/secretary-general-patricia-scotland">The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC</a> is the current Commonwealth Secretary-General.</p> <h4>Former Commonwealth Secretaries-General</h4> <ul> <li><a href="/commonwealth-secretary-general-kamalesh-sharma-2008-2016">Kamalesh Sharma of India</a> (2008-2016)</li> <li>Don McKinnon of New Zealand (2000-2008)</li> <li>Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria (1990-2000)</li> <li>Sir Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal of Guyana (1975-1990)</li> <li>Arnold Smith of Canada (1965-1975)</li> </ul></div> </div> <h3> <button aria-expanded="false" id="content-accordion--heading-270-1" aria-controls="content-accordion--panel-270-1" class="content-accordion--heading last"> Our vision and mission <span class="btn-more">Read more</span> <span class="btn-less">Read less</span> </button> </h3> <div role="alert" id="content-accordion--panel-270-1" aria-labelledby="content-accordion--heading-270-1" class="content-accordion--panel"> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h3>Our vision</h3> <p>To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values. </p> <h3>Our mission</h3> <p>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.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--onecol-section layout--onecol-section--100 grid"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="content-block--content-block block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcontent-block custom-content-block"> <h2>How we are run</h2> <div class="content-block--body clearfix"> <h3>The Commonwealth</h3> <p>The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of <a href="/member-countries">56 independent and equal countries</a>.</p> <p><a class="link-button" href="/about/joining">How countries can join</a></p> <h4>Head of the Commonwealth</h4> <p>His Majesty King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth.</p> <p>The role:</p> <ul> <li>is an important symbolic one</li> <li>has no maximum fixed term</li> <li>is not hereditary, and future Heads will be chosen by Commonwealth leaders.</li> </ul> <p>On 8 September, 2022, the Royal Family announced the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join the Royal Family, the whole of the Commonwealth and the world in mourning her passing.</p> <p><a class="link-arrow" href="/her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii">Remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bg-1 bg section-full-width"> <div class="section-padding-bottom-0 section-padding-top-0 layout layout--onecol-section layout--onecol-section--100 container grid"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="content-block--content-block block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcontent-block custom-content-block"> <div class="content-block--body clearfix"> <h3>The Commonwealth Secretariat</h3> <p>The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation which supports member countries and co-ordinates Commonwealth activities.</p> <div class="align-center media media--type-document media--view-mode-original" data-quickedit-entity-id="media/8355"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-document field--type-file field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Document</div> <div class="field__item"><span class="file file--mime-application-pdf file--application-pdf"><a href="https://production-new-commonwealth-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-10/2022 Further Revised Agreed Memorandum of Governance Arrangements and Annexes.pdf?VersionId=fOV5R0_E.eGuP4BOXSnfLlLd.E5_NG9U" type="application/pdf">2022 Further Revised Agreed Memorandum of Governance Arrangements and Annexes</a></span> <span>(432.93 KB)</span> </div> </div> </div> <h4>Commonwealth Secretary-General</h4> <p>The Commonwealth Secretary-General is responsible for representing the Commonwealth publicly, and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Secretariat.</p> <ul> <li><a href="/secretary-general-patricia-scotland">The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC</a> is the current Commonwealth Secretary-General.</li> </ul> <h4>Board of Governors</h4> <p>All member governments are represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors by their High Commissioners. The role of the Board of Governors, which usually meets once a year, is to approve the Secretariat’s strategic plans, work programmes and budgets.</p> <p>The Chairperson of the Board of Governors and the representative of the Chair in Office also sit on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Governors that can make policy recommendations to the Board and oversees budgets and audit functions. The Executive Committee includes the eight largest contributors to the Secretariat’s total resources, with additional member countries from each region elected to serve two-year terms.</p> <h4>Commonwealth Chair-in-Office</h4> <ul> <li>Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa is the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office</li> </ul> <p>The Chair-in-Office represents the Commonwealth at high-level international meetings and reinforces the Good Offices role of the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The term ‘Good Offices’ refers to the Commonwealth's conflict prevention and resolution work.</p> <p>The Chair-in-Office is the leader of the Commonwealth country that hosts a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The two-year role comes into effect at the start of the CHOGM. The next CHOGM will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda in 2026.</p> <h4>Staff</h4> <p>Staff at the Commonwealth Secretariat are structured around areas of work and a Senior Management Committee (SMC). You can download our senior team organogram below.</p> <p><a class="link-arrow" href="https://production-new-commonwealth-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2024-12/commonwealth-secretariat-senior-management-committee-members-2024.pdf?VersionId=AjOLrbN4IvsQi5ain7HztwhtnJiKQpCM" target="_blank">Commonwealth Secretariat Senior Organogram</a></p> <h4>Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal</h4> <p>Contractual disputes involving the Secretariat are resolved by the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT) established by Commonwealth Governments. More information about CSAT, including its Statutes and Rules, can be found on the <a href="https://thecommonwealth.org/tribunal">CSAT page</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--onecol-section layout--onecol-section--100 grid"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="content-block--quote block block-layout-builder custom-content-block"> <figure class="content-block--quote--wrapper"> <blockquote> <div class="quote-inner"> <q><p>The establishment of the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1965 emphasised the equality of all members, and gave final discouragement to the lingering sentiment that one member had a right to some predominance over others. It has enabled the Commonwealth to develop along independent lines in accordance with the interest of all its members. </p></q> <a target="_blank" class="quote-share-twitter" href=https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=commonwealthsec&text=The%20establishment%20of%20the%20Commonwealth%20Secretariat%20in%201965%20emphasised%20the%20equality%20of%20all%20members%2C%20and%20gave%20final%20discouragement%20to%20the%20lingering%20sentiment%20that%20one%20member%20had%20a%20right%20to%20some%20predominance%20over%20others.%20It%20has%20enabled%20the%20Commonwealth%20to%20develop%20along%20independent%20lines%20in%20accordance%20with%20the%20interest%20of%20all%20its%20members.%26nbsp%3B%0D%0A%0aJulius Nyerere,%20President of Tanzania (1973) rel="noopener"> <i class="icon-share-2"></i> <span class="sr-only">Share on Twitter</span> </a> <figcaption>Julius Nyerere</figcaption><cite>, President of Tanzania (1973)</cite> </div> </blockquote> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bg-1 bg 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href="/news/four-accredited-organisations-join-commonwealth-family-accreditation-badges-announced"> <span>Four Accredited Organisations join the Commonwealth family, accreditation badges announced</span> </a> </h3> <span class="text-label" aria-hidden="true">Read news</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="span"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-img"> <img alt="11 people standing on a stage" src="https://production-new-commonwealth-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/card/public/2025-02/photo-2025-01-30-16-25-23.jpg?VersionId=rzQZ3yyf8eDtp_ltNqPfQ3Zg2HZlnMb.&itok=m12EQEt9" width="370" height="197" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> <div class="card-content"> <h3> <a href="/news/2025-asia-youth-summit-adopts-blueprint-youth-led-development"> <span>2025 Commonwealth Asia Youth Summit adopts blueprint for youth-led development</span> </a> </h3> <span class="text-label" aria-hidden="true">Read news</span> </div> </div> </div> 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