Latest content: Commonwealth Secretariat

Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal served as the second Secretary-General of the Commonwealth from 1975 to 1990 — and remains its longest-serving Secretary-General.

Commonwealth Trade Ministers will gather in Windhoek, Namibia, in June 2025 for their biennial Ministerial Meeting at a tumultuous time for global trade. Formidable headwinds are buffeting a global trading system already reeling on the back of the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, escalating geopolitical tensions, increasing fragmentation of the global economy, and disruption and destabilisation of global supply chains. An alarming trend of rising protectionism – headlined by the current United States administration’s tariff policies, escalating trade tensions and the prospect of a protracted trade war between the United States and China – threatens to further undermine the stability of the global trading order.

Remarks from the Director of UNOOSA, Aarti Holla-Maini, on joint declaration with the Commonwealth Secretariat on 12 June 2025 at Marlborough House, London.

Secretary-General remarks on the joint declaration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) on 12th June 2025 at Marlborough House.

Today marks 76 years since the modern Commonwealth of Nations was founded on 26 April 1949 following the signing of the London Declaration.  

In March, the Commonwealth Youth Programme celebrated the achievements of young people while building their capacity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of society.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has echoed the alarm of Dr Irfaan Ali, the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, after a coast guard vessel from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela entered the waters of Guyana on 1 March 2025.  

In a keynote address at the University of Zambia, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, marked the 100th birthday of the late Kenneth Kaunda. She reflected on his remarkable journey, from teacher to being at the forefront of Zambia's independence movement.

The Commonwealth family of accredited organisations grew to 92 when four new members were introduced at a special event with Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. To raise the bar of becoming an accredited organisation, a new badge was introduced at the event, awarded to each organisation, unique in number with a clear mark of verification.  

Blog by Martin Raiser and Suresh Yadav

Following is the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, statement for Human Rights Day, observed on 10 December.

Following is the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, statement for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on 3 December.

Today at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, leaders announced the selection of the Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. 

In marking the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal, the second Commonwealth Secretary-General, who served from 1975 -1990, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, said: 

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, delivered the inaugural Commonwealth Lecture in Barbados, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth.

"When Commonwealth countries take collective decisions, it can move the whole world," - Commonwealth Secretary-General 

Rwandan President Paul Kagame lights a memorial flame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial

Today, Rwanda is one of Africa's fast-growing economies and is seen as a model for sustainable growth and resilience. However, thirty years ago, the world’s attention was focused on Rwanda because of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, shocking mass killings where it is estimated that almost a million Rwandans died. 

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has echoed the concern of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, after President Nicolás Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela promulgated the Organic Law for the Defence of Essequiba on 3 April 2024.   

Grenada is known for many things: the beauty of the country, world-renowned for its spices, the cultural richness of its Carnival and the warmth of its people. The country has also played a critical role in the development and strength of the Commonwealth and on the world stage. 

Commenting on the recent decision by the International Court of Justice, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said: