Latest content: Secretary-General

In Commonwealth Youth Work Week each year we acknowledge and accord due recognition the critical role of youth workers, and re-emphasise collective Commonwealth commitment to working alongside young people through government and other agencies on action to advance youth inclusion and empowerment.

The wellbeing of vulnerable people is being threatened by corruption in addition to Covid-19, the climate crisis and economic challenges.

Envoys from across the Commonwealth will benefit from an exclusive masterclass on Commonwealth multilateralism, including how they can take full advantage of its programmes and networks to boost global cooperation.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has called for “swift, coordinated, multilateral action” to support the world’s poorest nations, which are now even more vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials from countries across the Commonwealth have joined doctors, pharmacists, researchers, test suppliers and World Health Organisation (WHO) experts to explore the best options for rapid COVID-19 testing.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has commended the invaluable contributions of indigenous peoples to the global fight against climate change, calling for more home-grown ‘regenerative’ solutions to be scaled up across the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has impressed upon member countries the importance of examining mental health legislation to see whether it is in line with the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has welcomed the launch today by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge of the Earthshot Prize.

Commonwealth officials and women’s rights experts are developing a toolkit designed to help member countries realise UN-agreed gender equality targets by 2030.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have joined forces to create a pioneering resource to support countries facing tough decisions on public debt. 

Action around land use to slow climate change and biodiversity loss, gets vital boost from Commonwealth and United Nations partners during a breakthrough meeting.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and NO MORE Foundation have today launched a new campaign designed to help tackle the immediate crisis of the rapid increase in domestic and sexual violence due to the impacts of COVID-19

Civil society organisations and human rights defenders are struggling to carry out their vital work amid strict measures imposed to curb Covid-19.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has made an impassioned plea for member countries to focus their energies on rooting out the “stain of racism” in their societies.

I extend congratulations to His Excellency Dr Irfan Ali upon his swearing-in as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana following the declaration of the 2 March General Election and Regional election results on 2 August 2020 by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). 

Commonwealth countries have shared how innovation has been the difference between keeping the wheels of justice turning, and legal systems coming to a grinding halt.

A lethal combination of disease, extreme climate events and economic crises is threatening the smallest and most vulnerable nations of the world. To tackle it, we must overhaul how we understand and address economic vulnerability.

Commonwealth collaboration is vital to the recovery of the sport sector which has suffered a crushing blow from essential measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. 

Celebrating World Oceans Day 2020, on 8 June, the Commonwealth Secretariat kicked off with the first Commonwealth Blue Charter webinar in its new series.

A Covid-19 dashboard has been launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat to help member countries make vital decisions during the ongoing crisis.

Commonwealth leaders from all 54 member states have today issued a joint statement on the COVID-19 pandemic and steps that member states are taking to fight the pandemic and to work together in support of each other and broader global efforts.

The 55th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth Secretariat has been marked by supporters in India during a special virtual event.