Democracy, government and law

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Marlborough House Dialogue: Pathways to democratic resilience

18 June 2026 to 18 June 2026

(BST)

Event

As democratic institutions face growing pressures around the world, the Commonwealth Secretariat will host a Marlborough House Dialogue on Pathways to Democratic Resilience in London on 18 June 2026.

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Antigua and Barbuda General Elections, 30 April 2026

This is the final report the Commonwealth Observer Group constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General for the general elections held in Antigua and Barbuda on 30 April 2026, following an invitation from the government. In it, the Group assesses the electoral process and the wider democratic context, and sets out recommendations for consideration by key stakeholders.

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Antigua and Barbuda constituency boundaries must be urgently reviewed, says Commonwealth Observer Group final report

The Commonwealth Observer Group to the 30 April 2026 general elections in Antigua and Barbuda has released its final report, calling for urgent reform of constituency boundaries while commending the overall peaceful and transparent conduct of the polls.

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Commonwealth Expert Team assesses Barbados elections as credible, peaceful and well conducted

The Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) has released its final report on the Parliamentary Elections held in Barbados on 11 February 2026, concluding that the polls were credible, transparent and peaceful, while encouraging targeted reforms to further strengthen the electoral process.

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New Commonwealth model law to help countries regulate stablecoins

The Commonwealth Secretariat has published a new model law to help countries regulate stablecoins - rapidly growing digital currencies now valued at hundreds of billions of dollars globally.

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Sri Lankan Prime Minister says Commonwealth is ‘a really important forum’ in a tense world

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon Dr Harini Amarasuriya has described the Commonwealth as “a really important forum” for its member countries at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and instability.

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Commonwealth observers praise peaceful Bahamas Election and renew call for independent electoral commission

The Commonwealth Observer Group, led by former Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding, has issued its preliminary findings on the 2026 General Election in The Bahamas, commending the peaceful conduct of the polls while reiterating long standing concerns about the institutional framework governing elections.

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Commonwealth conference champions AI solutions to combat corruption in Africa

The 16th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti‑Corruption Agencies in Africa has set out a shared vision for using artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to strengthen the fight against corruption across Africa.

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The BBNJ Agreement: Overview of Elements

The BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and, like its parent treaty, it has been structured around a complex package of indivisible issues. Each element carries its own unique set of obligations, rights and duties for States Parties
under the BBNJ Agreement. This briefing note summarises the four key elements.

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Commonwealth Observer Group arrives in The Bahamas for 2026 General Elections

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has arrived in The Bahamas to observe the 2026 General Elections, underscoring the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to supporting credible, inclusive and transparent democratic processes across its member countries.

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Antigua and Barbuda polls transparent, media polarisation concerns emerge, says Commonwealth observers

The Commonwealth Observer Group’s preliminary findings on the 2026 General Elections in Antigua and Barbuda show a process that was transparent, peaceful, and well administered.

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Voters in Antigua and Barbuda head to polls under watch of Commonwealth Observer Group

Dawn broke over Antigua and Barbuda with a quiet sense of anticipation as voters began lining up outside polling stations to choose their representatives and determine who will lead the country for the next parliamentary term in a snap general election.

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Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding to lead Commonwealth Observation Group for Bahamas polls

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon Bruce Golding, has been appointed to lead a Commonwealth Observer Group for The Bahamas’ General Election scheduled for 12 May.

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Elections 2026: Commonwealth Observer Group in Antigua and Barbuda

27 April 2026 to 30 April 2026

Event

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) will be in Antigua and Barbuda to observe the country’s 2026 General Elections.

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Commonwealth Observer Group commences work in Antigua and Barbuda for 2026 General Elections

The Commonwealth Observer Group has commenced its work in Antigua and Barbuda for the 2026 General Elections, following its deployment by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey.

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Commonwealth launches regional training on Artificial Intelligence and electoral integrity in Trinidad and Tobago

The Commonwealth has launched a regional training programme focused on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on elections, bringing together electoral officials from across the Caribbean & Americas to examine how AI can both strengthen and undermine electoral integrity.

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Press statement following the joint assessment mission of Commonwealth, UN and ECOWAS in Sierra Leone

The International Moral Guarantors, comprising the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, have issued a communiqué following their third assessment mission to Sierra Leone from 13 to 20 April 2026.

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Commonwealth Special Envoy concludes visit to the United Republic of Tanzania

The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, former President of the Republic of Malawi, has concluded his visit to the United Republic of Tanzania.

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Commonwealth Election Professionals Caribbean & Americas regional training

20 April 2026 to 24 April 2026

(AST)

Training

The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) training event for the Commonwealth Caribbean & Americas region in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 20–24 April 2026.

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Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meet to drive reform and renewal amid global fractures

Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth convened today at Lancaster House in London for the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, chaired by Samoa’s Finance Minister, Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o.

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Concluding Statement of the 72nd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group

The 72nd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in London today ahead of the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) and next week’s Commonwealth Day celebrations.

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26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

Representing the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, the Minister of Finance of the Independent State of Samoa, Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, will welcome Foreign Affairs Ministers to the retreat and offer remarks. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, will then offer her remarks.

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Marlborough House Dialogues: Reclaiming Africa’s democratic future with Sir Mo Ibrahim

Leaders, visionaries, and youth leaders gathered for a Marlborough House Dialogue on 23 February 2026 to engage with Sir Dr Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, on the future of Africa.

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Law Ministers endorse Military Justice Principles and Model Law for Smaller Armed Forces

These Principles and accompanying Model Law serve as non-binding benchmarks designed to assist smaller jurisdictions to review and modernise their Defence Acts which, in many cases, have remained unchanged since they became independent states.

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26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

8 March 2026 to 8 March 2026

(GMT)

Ministerial meeting

The 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) will take place on Sunday, 8 March 2026, at Lancaster House in London, with a Retreat from 10:00-13:00 and a formal meeting from 14:00-16:00.

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