Latest content: Secretary-General Patricia Scotland

The Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will lead the Commonwealth delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to call for accelerated action on the climate crisis in light of intensifying threats to small and vulnerable member countries.  
Read news - ‘No more excuses’: Commonwealth Secretary-General will call for accelerated action on climate crisis at COP28 
30 November 2023 to 12 December 2023
(GMT)
Event
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – or the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 – will take place from 30 November to 12 December 2023, at Expo City Dubai, UAE.
Today in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the 23rd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) brought together foreign affairs ministers and distinguished representatives from member states to discuss critical global challenges and chart a course for a more interconnected and resilient future.
Read news - Commonwealth foreign affairs ministers meet in New York to address critical global challenges
On 25 May, following months of peaceful and constructive dialogue, the leaders of all of Sierra Leone’s political parties accepted the invitation to stand before the nation and pledged themselves and their supporters to peace. Today, I call on all to honour the terms of that commitment.
Read news - Statement from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, concerning Sierra Leone
In 1967, American civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King said in a speech, "we are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late." For far too many in the world today affected by our changing climate, this statement is an urgent truth.
Read news - Op-ed: The fierce urgency of now
Commonwealth Health Ministers and Heads of Delegation have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and ensuring the most vulnerable and marginalised have equal access to health services across the 56 member countries by 2030.
Read news - Health Ministers pledge to work together to transform care systems and ensure equal access to quality care across the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, and Health Ministers from across the Commonwealth are set to meet in Geneva on Saturday, 20 May 2023, to forge a path forward on accelerating efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), during the 35th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM).
Read news - Taking action on inequities in health to be explored at upcoming Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, visited Vanuatu on April 29th and 30th to address climate justice and climate action issues for the Pacific. Her visit came at a critical time for Vanuatu, which is still recovering from the devastating impact of two Category 4 cyclones, Judy and Kevin, that hit the country in early March.
Read news - Commonwealth Secretary-General Visits Vanuatu Post-Cyclone Judy and Kevin to Discuss Climate Action and Climate Justice
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, is in Papua New Guinea this week where she met with Prime Minister the Hon James Marape to discuss issues of mutual interest and strengthen partnerships between the Commonwealth and Papua New Guinea. The Prime Minister and Secretary-General also had fruitful discussion on gender issues, climate action and youth empowerment.
Read news - Commonwealth Secretary-General visits Papua New Guinea to strengthen partnerships and encourage action on gender issues