Latest content: Economic development

Celebrating the year in pictures

A Commonwealth expert group convened to explore practical actions to help unlock resources for small and vulnerable Commonwealth countries combat climate change impacts has called for transparency and accountability in the processes and procedures of accessing climate funds.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15-17 November 2013

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 15-17 November 2013

The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) opened today in Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo with a theatrical welcome to leaders and representatives from the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries.

Theme: ‘Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development’

"The ties we enjoy as a result of our affinity and shared ambitions provide the basis on which we can build partnerships for economic growth and social progress" - Kamalesh Sharma

The Commonwealth is assisting St Kitts and Nevis to resolve its outstanding maritime boundaries with five neighbouring countries in the Caribbean region.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and South Africa's National Treasury on 9 October 2013 signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the debt management capacity of member states.

A high-level group of Commonwealth finance ministers met heads of leading international financial institutions in Washington DC on 7 October and made a case for the urgent need to address the debt and financing challenges of small states.

The high-level group of Commonwealth ministers will meet heads of leading international financial institutions to make a case for the urgent need to address the debt and financing challenges of small states.

Ministers will discuss economic and policy issues focusing on financing of the post-2015 development agenda as well as reform of global economic governance. Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will chair the meeting.

Speaker: Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma

Across the Commonwealth, there are many fibrous plants that can serve as the basis for industries producing crafts, fabrics and furniture

“A recognition of a right to development and trade as an enforcement in the WTO framework would ensure Aid for Trade works for poorer countries” - Professor Stiglitz

“This book provides a ray of hope to small states" - Assad Bhuglah, Director of Trade Policy at the International Trade Division, Mauritius

Nobel prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz will present a report proposing new ways of ensuring that international trade benefits developing countries at a Commonwealth meeting in Geneva on 26 June 2013.

LONDON, 20 June 2013: Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has announced that former Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo, will lead a high-level team of experts to identify solutions for unlocking resources to enable small, poor and climate-vulnerable Commonwealth countries to combat climate change.

2013 Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting concludes with strong resolve on women’s leadership

Speaker: Freda Miriklis, President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women

‘Leadership, opportunity and enterprise together are a powerful blend, particularly when the vital ingredient of ‘Women’ is added’ – Commonwealth Secretary-General

While visiting Zambia Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba meets young people receiving vocational and entrepreneurship training