Natural resources have multifaceted and oversized impacts on climate, energy, environment, ecosystems and socioeconomic development. Effective management is essential for limiting climate change and achieving the sustainable development goals.
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Commonwealth countries rank as major producers of natural resources including gas and oil, minerals and precious metals such as gold, diamonds, platinum and copper.
The Commonwealth Secretariat has been providing independent expert advice and practical support to governments for more than 55 years across the energy, petroleum and mining sectors.
Our mandate is to support member states to effectively manage their natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Our mandate is to support member states to effectively manage their natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), a collaboration between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the University of the West Indies, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, was launched yesterday at the 4th Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) conference in St John’s, Antigua.
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New Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy launched at SIDS4
Commonwealth-Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, delivered a compelling plenary speech today at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) held in Antigua and Barbuda. Addressing the critical challenges faced by small states, she underscored the Commonwealth's unwavering commitment to championing their causes on the global stage.
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“Small Island Developing States' challenges are serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” says Commonwealth Secretary-General at SIDS4
The Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance (CCOA) is propelling global efforts to combat plastic pollution, a growing menace to our oceans and environment. As part of its ongoing Blue Dialogues webinar series, the Commonwealth Blue Charter programme recently convened a virtual event titled, National Action Plans to End Plastic Pollution.
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Experts share how national plans can help Commonwealth member states combat plastic pollution
29 May 2024 to 29 May 2024
(Antigua and Barbuda Time)
Event
The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, UNDP and UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the Government of Belize are hosting this event on the side lines of SIDS4 on the theme 'Revitalising SIDS Economies for accelerated and sustainable growth'.
6 June 2024 to 6 June 2024
(BST)
Event
World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on June 8th, is dedicated to recognising the critical role that the ocean plays in our world. Oceans regulate our climate, provide food and resources, and fosters the biodiversity on which we all depend.
Delegates attending the inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting in the Republic of Cyprus today committed to take forward their consultations to upcoming global summits.
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Ministers call for collective ocean action ahead of CHOGM and COP29
The Commonwealth today launched a new toolkit to promote gender-responsive practices in ocean-related occupations.
Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors is a guide for policymakers, organisations, and individuals to help promote inclusion and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies.
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New gender equality toolkit for the ocean sector
Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors is a guide for policymakers, organisations, and individuals to help promote inclusion and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies.
The Commonwealth and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Blue Charter Centre of Excellence in Larnaca to strengthen governance for a sustainable blue economy and support scientific research on ocean protection.
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Commonwealth and Cyprus sign MOU on Blue Charter Centre of Excellence
Commonwealth countries, responsible for over a third of national ocean waters globally, can now access newly updated databases offering a compendium of ocean-related finance sources and training opportunities.
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New online resources will help bridge ocean finance and knowledge gaps
This toolkit offers practical guidance on how to implement gender-responsive practices in marine conservation, fisheries, maritime transportation and tourism, in order to empower women and gender minorities and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies. Based on research and stakeholder consultations, and designed to provide clear guidance on meaningfully integrating gender perspectives into ocean policies and practices through practical guidance and best practices, the toolkit should serve as a valuable resource for it is an invaluable resource for policymakers, organisations and individuals dedicated to advancing gender equity in ocean sectors.
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Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors
The theme for this year’s World Water Day is Leveraging Water for Peace. It recognises the importance of water as a common good, especially between nations and disaffected groups of people.
Water is a fundamental resource for life. It is critical for sanitation, human development, and for the nature-providing ecosystem services and goods that maintain life as we know it.
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Blog: How water can support peace and cooperation
Water is a fundamental resource for life. It is critical for sanitation, human development, and for the nature-providing ecosystem services and goods that maintain life as we know it.
The inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will be held on 19 April 2024 in Cyprus, under the theme ‘Our Resilient Common Ocean: from Cyprus to Samoa’.
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Cyprus to host first Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting
Speakers at a Women’s Day webinar on the role of Indo-Pacific women in ocean protection and management have called for more meaningful approaches to gender mainstreaming.
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Celebrating women’s work in ocean disciplines
Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will establish a shared voice for Commonwealth countries on ocean issues. The inaugural meeting will take place in Cyprus from 18 to 19 April 2024.
18 April 2024 to 19 April 2024
Event
Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will establish a shared voice for Commonwealth countries on ocean issues.
The inaugural meeting will take place in Cyprus from 18 to 19 April 2024.
The inaugural meeting will take place in Cyprus from 18 to 19 April 2024.
Senior leaders from 21 sovereign wealth funds, managing over a trillion dollars in assets, gathered this week at the Commonwealth’s Headquarters in London to discuss scaling up investment to limit climate change.
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Sovereign wealth fund leaders explore investing to achieve the Paris Agreement
Commonwealth countries are breaking new ground with innovative financial deals that are cutting the cost of their national debt, while unlocking funds for vital marine conservation.
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Commonwealth countries pioneer ocean-based debt-for-nature swaps
Each year, around 20 million tonnes of plastics end up in our rivers, lakes and seas. That’s equivalent to the weight of 20,000 cargo ships. It is waste that can take hundreds of years to decompose and it is altering our ecosystems and wildlife and impacting human health.
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Commonwealth meeting in Nairobi seeks to advance global treaty on plastic pollution
In a move to bolster treaty negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the UK Government through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have convened a training programme for Commonwealth government officials.
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Commonwealth Secretariat and UK Government Collaborate on Training Ahead of Key Plastics Treaty Negotiations
The search for the next winners of The Earthshot Prize 2024 has begun!
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Commonwealth Blue Charter invites expressions of interest for the 2024 Earthshot Prize
By Dr Ruth Kattumuri and Brenda Wagaba
The United Nations report (United Nations, 2023) is part of the global stocktake for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward achieving these goals by 2030.
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Blog: Toward Achieving Access to Clean water and ensuring quality sanitation (SDG6): Innovations of Sulabh International
The United Nations report (United Nations, 2023) is part of the global stocktake for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward achieving these goals by 2030.
21 September 2023 to 21 September 2023
Conference
The first Commonwealth Environment and Climate Ministers Meeting (CECMM) will be held on 21 September 2023 (3PM - 6PM New York time), alongside the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New York.