Remarks by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey at the One Commonwealth Night Concert and Prime Ministers Welcome Reception, Monday 2 November 2026 at the Sir Vivan Ricards Stadium, St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
Thank you to our host, Prime Minister Browne, Sir Idris Elba, the performers and the organisers.
What an amazing job!
As leaders, business executives and civil society – as Commonwealth partners – we must do an equally amazing job: giving every one of our 2.7 billion people a good quality of life. That begins with how we prepare our young people for a fast-changing world. 100 million young people need digital skills to do the jobs of tomorrow, and to start businesses that will change the world.
Distance education is the key. But today, only hundreds of thousands have access to it. Hundreds of thousands out of 100 million.
That is why we are calling on the private sector here – satellite companies, telecoms companies, philanthropists – to help. We need your contributions, in cash and in kind. 300 million US dollars will train 10 million young people online across the Commonwealth.
If you support this, let me hear you!
If you believe in a Commonwealth that takes care of its people, let me hear you!
Thank you. Thank you.
