Latest content: Secretary-General

When 197 countries adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015, I remember feeling an extraordinary surge of hope – for multilateralism, for science, for humanity.

Gambian President Adama Barrow has told the Commonwealth Secretary-General that his country is “happy to be back” in the family. The Secretary-General is in The Gambia for her first official visit since the country re-joined the Commonwealth in 2018 - almost five years after leaving the association. She commented: “President Barrow’s words are a testimony to the longstanding partnership between The Gambia and the Commonwealth."

To mark Human Rights Day, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland writes about the need for legislation and policies to ensure that wherever possible girls remain in school. Girls generally experience more barriers to education than their male counterparts, and this has been exacerbated yet further by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General led a panel of government, civil society and tech industry representatives in condemning the “silent pandemic” of online abuse directed at women.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will tomorrow depart for her first official visit to The Gambia.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has pledged concerted and continuous action to protect the rights and needs of people with disabilities. 

Commonwealth countries are using innovation and ingenuity to counter threats of injustice and inequality from Covid-19.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on 25 November every year. It launches 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence until Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Members of parliament have a crucial role in countries’ response to the “human rights emergency” caused by Covid-19, the Commonwealth Secretary-General has said.

The Commonwealth will lead a global movement this week aimed at urging countries to make an ambitious plan to eliminate the most preventable cancers.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland Q.C has expressed her sadness at the passing today of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana.

A specialised course for diplomats has highlighted the Commonwealth’s essential role on the global stage, with delegates commending its timely focus on international cooperation in a post-COVID world.

Reacting to reports of attacks in the Cabo Delgado province of northern Mozambique the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC said:

Young people around the world are waking up to a growing list of new and harsh realities. Trapped in the shadow of a relentless pandemic, many are being robbed of the usual opportunities of youth and denied even the chance to socialise with friends and family.

A Commonwealth prize recognising the most impactful innovations in sustainable development has been launched by the Secretary-General.

The Commonwealth and UN Technology Bank have formed a new partnership to support least developed countries (LDCs) through technology transfer, capacity.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, has strongly urged authorities to investigate allegations regarding the recent general election in the United Republic of Tanzania of serious electoral irregularities, violence and of deaths, particularly in Zanzibar.

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.