Latest content: Secretary-General

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey's Keynote Address at the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (CSC) UK - Connect and Collaborate Event for new Commonwealth Scholars on 20th January 2026 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster.

As we begin a new year, I extend my warmest wishes to the 2.7 billion citizens of our Commonwealth family. A new year invites reflection, but also resolve. And as we step forward together, the road ahead carries particular meaning for our Commonwealth. 

Statement on the Situation in Bangladesh by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey on 20 December 2025.

Remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the King's Trust International: Legacy in Motion event on Wednesday 26 November 2025 at the Royal Over-Seas League.

The following statement was issued on 25 November 2025 by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, will begin her first official visit to Bangladesh this week to engage with a range of stakeholders at a pivotal moment in the country’s national journey. 

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, has appointed HE Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the immediate past President of Malawi, as her Special Envoy to the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General's address delivered at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) Annual Lecture, on Wednesday 12 November 20205, at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL), London.

Opening remarks delivered by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the Finance Ministers Meeting, held in Washington, in the margins of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings.

Opening Remarks delivered by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the Official Opening of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados, on 7 October 2025.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General gave a speech at the Commonwealth Society's plaque unveiling ceremony at the pine plantation house, Barbados on 6 October 2025.

Opening Remarks delivered by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 22 September 2025.

High commissioners, representing the 56 Commonwealth countries, have approved a five-year strategic plan for the Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver focused support for the 2.7 billion people it serves.

Keynote address by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, at the Glitz Africa She Boss Summit on 31 July 2025.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, opening remarks at the Annual Convention of the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) . Marlborough House, Friday 18th July 2025.

The following statement is issued today, 26 June 2025, by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, on the ongoing demonstrations in the Republic of Kenya.

Welcome Reception remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM) and the Inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit (CBS) in Windhoek, Namibia on 19 June 2025.
Hosted by Minister of International Relations and Trade, Namibia, Hon. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi.

Keynote Address by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey: Harnessing Commonwealth Trade for Shared Prosperity at the Inaugural of the Commonwealth Business Summit, Windhoek, Namibia on 18 June 2025.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) this week signed a joint declaration to maximise the solutions that space technology, innovation and collaboration offer. The agreement covers not only climate and environmental resilience but also access to distance learning education opportunities, and equitable access to services. 

Secretary-General remarks on the joint declaration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) on 12th June 2025 at Marlborough House.

Keynote address by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom 2025 Sustainability Conference - Sustainable Global Supply Chains: Turning Ambition into Action - on 10 June 2025.

Keynote speech by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at her Welcome Reception on Thursday, 5 June 2025.

Dignitaries from across the Commonwealth and beyond gathered today to welcome the seventh Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at a reception in London's Lancaster House.