Latest content: Secretary-General

Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, former Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, assumed office as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth yesterday, pledging to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter at a time of growing global tensions and shifting alliances.

World leaders, past and present, were united in their call for increased multilateralism in the face of global division, during a major Commonwealth summit in London today.  

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has launched two new initiatives to help countries, particularly the least developed nations, find the right pro bono legal support to improve access to justice for all.

Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria has clinched the overall title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year at the annual Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, held in London on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.

The Community of Bweengwa in southern Zambia has been celebrating the appointment of the Commonwealth Secretary-General as their Chief Headwoman.

In a keynote address at the University of Zambia, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, marked the 100th birthday of the late Kenneth Kaunda. She reflected on his remarkable journey, from teacher to being at the forefront of Zambia's independence movement.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, bade farewell to representatives from Caribbean member states, who she describes as “a powerhouse within the Commonwealth”.

The following statement was issued today by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, on the continued detention of Dr Kizza Besigye. 

The Commonwealth family of accredited organisations grew to 92 when four new members were introduced at a special event with Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. To raise the bar of becoming an accredited organisation, a new badge was introduced at the event, awarded to each organisation, unique in number with a clear mark of verification.  

The following statement was issued today by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, on the announcement of the co-honourees of the 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity: Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, the non-profit organisation World Central Kitchen, and 15-year-old inventor Heman Bekele.

The following statement was issued today by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC.

In March 2025, a group of extraordinary young people will have the opportunity to receive support from the Commonwealth Secretariat. They will be chosen as the 20 finalists for the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.

By the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, on International Day of Education 2025

Statements by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC:

Following is the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, statement for Human Rights Day, observed on 10 December.

Following is the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, statement for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on 3 December.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we come together as a global community to reaffirm our commitment to ending violence against all women and girls.
This day reminds us of our shared responsibility to eliminate one of the most pervasive human rights violations.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, made a strong case for continued investment and partnership at the UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum. The event was organised by DMA Invest in partnership with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the UK Department for Business & Trade, and UK Export Finance.

A message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, ahead of COP29.

Young people from across the Commonwealth have surprised the Secretary-General the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC with a moving tribute to her "incredible" work on their behalf, as she attended the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Samoa.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Khalili Foundation have launched the Commonwealth Peace Prize, which aims to reward excellence in peacebuilding and celebrate long-serving standard-bearers who are also role models for young people.

I have been monitoring the unfolding situation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria with great concern. The violence and tragic loss of lives in various parts of the country during the ongoing protests is deeply troubling.

We have been closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and talking to various parties to quickly obtain reliable information. I continue to be concerned about ongoing developments, particularly the violence and loss of life. My thoughts are with all those who are affected. I urge all to discourage violence and to nurture mutual respect and understanding. 

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, will pay her first official visit to Pakistan from 28 July to 2 August 2024 on the invitation of the Government of Pakistan.