In a world where crises are increasing and overlapping, it is important for governments to be resilient and prepared for all occurrences. This is even more critical for finance ministries, who will need to mobilise funds quickly to support their countries through difficult times.
Read news -
Public debt management officials in Africa share best practices during Commonwealth business continuity workshop
Main page for this area of work
Twenty-nine officials from The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone recently completed hands-on training to produce and analyse quality debt data using a Commonwealth tool that will help their governments make better financial decisions.
Read news -
West African officials trained to better manage public debt using Commonwealth tool
Kenya Innovation Week 2023 - Commonwealth Edition, which will be held in Nairobi from 27 November to 1 December 2023, will this year include Commonwealth Leaders, government officials, business and academic representatives, as well as a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.
Read news -
Kenya Innovation Week 2023 energized by partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat
A powerful software developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat is being rolled out in Guyana to transform how the country manages its public debt portfolio of US $3.9 billion.
Read news -
Guyana set to manage public debt using Commonwealth software
The general government debt (GGD) – which includes what the state and state-owned enterprises owe – of Commonwealth countries declined in 2021 and 2022, as a share of combined gross domestic product (GDP), meaning they owed less debt compared to the size of their economy.
By Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim, Adviser, Debt Management Unit, Commonwealth Secretariat
Read news -
Blog: Rising government debt-to-GDP ratios need urgent response
By Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim, Adviser, Debt Management Unit, Commonwealth Secretariat
Commonwealth Finance Ministers met today in Marrakesh, Morocco to discuss the reform of the global financial architecture, with particular attention to two pivotal areas, scaling up development finance and addressing debt vulnerabilities.
Read news -
Commonwealth Finance Ministers meet in Marrakesh to tackle overlapping global crises
Today, Commonwealth Central Bank Governors met in Marrakesh, Morocco on the sidelines of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings, to discuss the critical role of central banks in building resilience to climate change and mobilising green finance.
Read news -
Commonwealth Central Bank Governors meet in Marrakesh to enhance green finance and address climate change
A delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, arrived today in Marrakesh, Morocco for the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (CFMM) and the Commonwealth Central Bank Governors (CCBG) Meeting.
Read news -
Commonwealth Secretary-General arrives in Morocco
The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a new debt transparency handbook that offers governments a clear roadmap to align their public debt operations with international standards.
Read news -
New Commonwealth handbook gives countries roadmap to address debt transparency issues
Officials from Eastern and Southern Africa completed hands-on training last week to produce quality debt data using a new Commonwealth tool that will help governments better understand their financial circumstances.
Read news -
Eastern and Southern African officials trained to enhance debt transparency with Commonwealth tool
The Commonwealth Secretariat has partnered with the British Virgin Islands to conduct a full assessment of its debt management practices, as part of a reform process aimed at achieving economic stability.
Read news -
Commonwealth supports British Virgin Islands with debt management reform
A state-of-the-art software developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat has been rolled out in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to transform how the country manages its public debt portfolio of US $2.2 billion.
Read news -
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to manage public debt using Commonwealth software
5 October 2023 to 5 October 2023
(BST)
Event
You are invited to the virtual launch of our Handbook on Public Debt Transparency via Zoom.
With opening remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary General, the virtual launch will draw speakers from various geographical regions for diversity of thought and perspectives. Speakers from The Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Member Countries, Academics, Development Partners, Debt Managers, Experts and Practitioners, will also share their thoughts via the panels and keynote presentations.
With opening remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary General, the virtual launch will draw speakers from various geographical regions for diversity of thought and perspectives. Speakers from The Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Member Countries, Academics, Development Partners, Debt Managers, Experts and Practitioners, will also share their thoughts via the panels and keynote presentations.
By Benjamin Kwasi Addom, Adviser, Agriculture & Fisheries Trade Policy, Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda
In this blog, Benjamin Kwasi Addom discusses a model of digital public infrastructure (DPI) developed under the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment programme to support Commonwealth countries' design and build their national infrastructure for agricultural data.
Read news -
Blog: Commonwealth Secretariat launches initiative to support member countries to better manage agricultural data through DPI
In this blog, Benjamin Kwasi Addom discusses a model of digital public infrastructure (DPI) developed under the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment programme to support Commonwealth countries' design and build their national infrastructure for agricultural data.
The Global Sport and SDG Impact Report will be the first global baseline report on the global data available to evidence the contribution that physical education, physical activity and sport make to sustainable development. This policy brief offers a preview of that report, explaining its methodology and indicators, and highlighting areas in which measurable progress has been made and where gaps in the evidence have been found.
Read publication -
The Global Sport and Sustainable Development Goals Impact Report
The global dialogue is converging towards a new financial system that can address the ongoing challenges of countries, especially countries severely vulnerable to economic and climate risks.
Read news -
Blog: Towards a New Global Financial Architecture - The Commonwealth Call for Commitment and Action
The 2023 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM) opened today at Marlborough House in London. The meeting, being held on the 5th and 6th of June, brings together trade ministers from across the Commonwealth to discuss and deliberate on key issues related to trade and investment.
Read news -
Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meet to Foster Cooperation for Resilient, Inclusive, Green and Digital Economies
This report provides a succinct overview of development finance and climate finance, focussing on its provision to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States within the Commonwealth. It considers the current and potential roles of multilateral development banks and international development financial institutions; tools such as ‘debt for climate’ swaps; and the need to reconsider the use of and balance between debt capital and grants. Finally, the report proposes alternative funding mechanisms and reforms to international financial architecture that could have transformative impacts on capital flows to enable vulnerable developing nations to respond to the effects of climate change and increase their resilience.
Read publication -
Accessing Development and Climate Finance: Issues and Challenges in the Commonwealth Countries
A study published by the Commonwealth Secretariat has highlighted the potential for the East African Community (EAC) to establish a billion-dollar ‘green steel ecosystem’ and secure a profitable but less carbon-intensive steel industry for the region.
Read news -
Commonwealth study points to green steel opportunity in East Africa
The Commonwealth Small States Advocacy Champions convened their first meeting during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings on 14 April, to discuss emerging and key issues related to economic vulnerability, climate change, access to finance, and debt sustainability.
Read news -
Commonwealth Small States Advocacy Champions meet for first time in Washington
Finance ministers from various Commonwealth countries have called for a systemic reform of the global financial architecture to enhance access to development financing for vulnerable countries
Read news -
Commonwealth finance ministers call for systemic reform of global financial architecture
Baroness Scotland calls for innovative finance mechanisms to close fiscal space on health in national economies.
Read news -
Commonwealth health gains ‘at risk’ due to global financing gap, says Secretary-General
12 April 2023 to 13 April 2023
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat will host two side events during the 2023 World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings in Washington DC to explore innovative financing solutions and fiscal policy options for sustainable and resilient development.
The Bahamas is scoring early wins in its debt management journey as it targets more fiscal space for national priorities and growth.
Read news -
Debt breakthrough - Lessons on mastering debt management from The Bahamas
This paper presents fiscal policy options for resilient and sustainable development in the context of ever-increasing and diverse shocks and uncertainties, discussing how the appropriate design and mix of national and subnational tax and public investment regimes can best ensure the stable provision of essential services and local infrastructure.
Read publication -
Fiscal Policy Options for Resilient and Sustainable Development