Latest content: Democracy, government and law

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the 24th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) convened today in New York, bringing together foreign ministers and senior representatives from Commonwealth member countries.

The 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election, held on September 21, has been deemed peaceful by the Commonwealth Observer Group, but it noted that some voters and polling staff did not appear to fully understand the preferential system of voting.  

The Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the Sri Lanka presidential election, H.E. Danny Faure, has called for patience as the country enters an extended second counting phase.

Starting this week, a series of high-level ministerial meetings will bring together representatives from across the Commonwealth to engage in vital discussions ahead of next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). These strategic conversations, taking place in the margins the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, are crucial for preparing for CHOGM, scheduled for 21-26 October in Samoa. 

Commonwealth observers, working across various teams, have reported to their posts across all nine provinces in Sri Lanka, ahead of the country's presidential election on 21 September 2024. 

Over two days, mid-career and senior diplomats in Commonwealth countries were treated by a master class in diplomatic leadership in the 21st century.

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has arrived in Colombo for Sri Lanka's presidential election, marking the Commonwealth's 200th election observation since it began observing in the 1980s.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG) met on Tuesday, 3 September 2024, to discuss recent developments in the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), led by His Excellency Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles, will observe Sri Lanka's Presidential Election, which will be held on 21 September 2024.

Applications are now open for citizens of Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean to join the Commonwealth Caribbean Cyber Experts Fellowship.

I have been monitoring the unfolding situation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria with great concern. The violence and tragic loss of lives in various parts of the country during the ongoing protests is deeply troubling.

We have been closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and talking to various parties to quickly obtain reliable information. I continue to be concerned about ongoing developments, particularly the violence and loss of life. My thoughts are with all those who are affected. I urge all to discourage violence and to nurture mutual respect and understanding. 

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC, has commended Togo's progress in fighting extremism and developing its economy on her inaugural visit to the Commonwealth’s 56th member country, noting its recent membership offers a chance to further strengthen institutions through embracing Commonwealth Charter values like democracy, rule of law, and good governance.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC, will make her first official visit to Togo, one of the organisation's newest members, next week.

From 10 to 11 July 2024, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will be in Guyana to attend the Legal Conference on Criminal Justice Reform - Advancing the Needham’s Point Declaration.

A new model law launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat will help countries regulate the rapidly growing virtual assets industry, worth billions of dollars globally.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has appointed Prof Richard Susskind OBE KC (Hon) as her Special Envoy for Justice and Artificial Intelligence.

A Commonwealth initiative to help young people better understand the values of the Commonwealth Charter is being held in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Representatives from governments, international agencies and disabled people’s organisations have urged countries to prioritise the rights and needs of people with disabilities in policy development.

A workshop held in Lusaka last month trained Zambian officials to better analyse and negotiate trade agreements with other countries.

The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC, Commonwealth Secretary-General reflects on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings.