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The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, visited Maldives on 2-5 June 2013 to discuss recent developments, in the lead up to the Presidential election scheduled for 7 September 2013.
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Commonwealth Special Envoy Sir Donald McKinnon’s statement following Maldives visit
"I depart The Kingdom of Lesotho with the fervent hope that the assurances stakeholders gave that the transition process will be credible will be followed through, so that the will of the people is respected" - Dr Bakili Muluzi
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Commonwealth Observer Group Chair's departure statement following Lesotho elections
Eustace Lake, Member of Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda gave a voice to the Commonwealth in a panel discussion at the 23rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today.
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Commonwealth supports parliamentary group at UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva
"The Commonwealth will continue to speak out internationally and to advocate on the interests of small island states" - Kamalesh Sharma
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Commonwealth Secretary-General's departure statement following St Kitts and Nevis visit
Pakistan’s 2013 elections mark progress in terms of general framework, administrative arrangements and voter turnout, but high level of violence is a concern.
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Pakistan General Elections 2013: Interim Statement
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today congratulated the people of Pakistan for successfully concluding the 11 May 2013 parliamentary elections, and pledged continued support from the organisation as the country consolidates its democracy.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General praises Pakistan for conducting historic poll
Arrival Statement
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Pakistan General Elections 2013 Arrival Statement
Participants at a Commonwealth roundtable on reconcilation from 1 to 3 May share their thoughts on garnering lasting peace after conflict
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What did the delegates say?
Commonwealth countries identify critical components for lasting peace after conflict
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Sustainable reconciliation needs moral leadership, financing and balance
Forum brings together representatives from Government and Opposition parties and civil society from East Africa and is a tangible manifestation of the importance the Commonwealth places on the need to support and strengthen democratic culture in member countries
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Tanzania to host Commonwealth forum for Governing and Opposition parties
As we mark World Press Freedom Day today, 3 May, The Commonwealth once again reaffirms its firm commitment to a free and responsible press in promoting democracy, development and diversity.
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World Press Freedom Day message
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<li>The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its thirty-ninth meeting in London on 26 April 2013. </li>
<li>The meeting was chaired by Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. It was also attended by Senator the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Hon John Baird, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Hon AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Hon Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives; Hon Dr Samura Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Tanzania; Hon Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago; and Hon Nipake Edward Natapei, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu.</li>
<li>CMAG welcomed the recent adoption by Heads of Government, and signature by The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, of the Charter of the Commonwealth, encapsulating the core values and principles of the Commonwealth. It noted that the Charter reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment inter alia to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, freedom of expression, good governance, tolerance, respect and understanding and the role of civil society. As the custodian of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, the Group pledged to continue to promote these commonly agreed goals.</li>
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<p>The Group reviewed developments in relation to the country currently on its formal agenda, Fiji
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Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group 39th Meeting Concluding Statement
<li>The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its thirty-ninth meeting in London on 26 April 2013. </li>
<li>The meeting was chaired by Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. It was also attended by Senator the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Hon John Baird, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Hon AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Hon Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives; Hon Dr Samura Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Tanzania; Hon Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago; and Hon Nipake Edward Natapei, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu.</li>
<li>CMAG welcomed the recent adoption by Heads of Government, and signature by The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, of the Charter of the Commonwealth, encapsulating the core values and principles of the Commonwealth. It noted that the Charter reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment inter alia to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, freedom of expression, good governance, tolerance, respect and understanding and the role of civil society. As the custodian of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, the Group pledged to continue to promote these commonly agreed goals.</li>
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<p>The Group reviewed developments in relation to the country currently on its formal agenda, Fiji
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to address press today, Friday, 26 April 2013 at 12 noon
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Press conference - Friday, 26 April 2013 at 12 noon
Marlborough House, London
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Transcript of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group press conference
Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides meets with Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma
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Commonwealth offers practical support to Cyprus
25 April 2013 – The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), made up of nine foreign ministers, will meet at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on Friday 26 April 2013. CMAG will discuss political developments in Fiji since September 2012, when the Group last met in New York. Fiji remains fully suspended from the Commonwealth and on CMAG’s formal agenda.
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Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to meet in London
Foreign Ministers to confer on issues at London meeting
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CMAG to discuss strengthening political and democratic values
Elections were credible and met many key benchmarks for democratic elections
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Commonwealth Observer Group issues Final Report on 2013 elections in Kenya
Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba and Communications and Public Affairs Director Richard Uku attended the Kenyan presidential inauguration ceremony at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi on Tuesday, 9 April.
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Commonwealth represented at Kenyan presidential inauguration
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has congratulated Pakistan on the completion of the recent five-year term of its democratically elected civilian government.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General commends Pakistan on five years of democratically elected government
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has extended his congratulations to Uhuru Kenyatta, on Mr Kenyatta’s election to the Presidency of the Republic of Kenya.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General commends Kenyans on peaceful poll
Interim Statement
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Kenya General Elections 2013: Interim Statement
Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, Festus Mogae, said the country was now in a critical period as it awaits the results
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Commonwealth observers commend Kenyans for peaceful poll and call for calm as results come in