Latest content: Small states

A new Commonwealth publication that reveals the ‘big divide’ between small states in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been launched.

London meeting to build networks and partnerships between governments, the private sector and institutions

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Departure Statement following visit to the Republic of Kiribati on 6-8 November 2012

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma made his first official visit to the South Pacific island state of Nauru from 29 to 31 October. He held a series of meetings with government ministers.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will visit Kiribati from 6 to 8 November 2012. This will be his first official visit to the Pacific island state.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Departure Statement following visit to the Republic of Nauru 29 - 31 October 2012

Kamalesh Sharma will be received by President Sprent Dabwido

Consolidation and specialisation can address inherent challenges

Sharing Practical Ways to Build Resilience

OUTCOME DOCUMENT

Targeting green growth through green economies vital for sustainable development

Sharing Practical Ways to Build Resilience

Senator Joanne Massiah, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of State for Legal Affairs, talks to Commonwealth News about the challenges faced by small states and the issues that can drive development. The Senator had earlier addressed the Second Commonwealth Global Biennial Conference on Small States at the Commonwealth Secretariat on 18 September 2012.

Speaker: Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma

Challenges and opportunities of building resilience of small states discussed at Commonwealth conference

The Commonwealth is hosting a forum from 17 to 18 September to promote the interests of small states.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is convening a global conference to discuss the unique development challenges of small states and explore policy options to address them.

Departure Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma after visiting Kingdom of Swaziland, 2-4 August 2012

Migration and development experts from the Commonwealth and beyond are meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, from 2 to 4 July to examine the costs and benefits of migration in small states.

Commonwealth experts on migration and development to examine the challenges and opportunities for Around 30 migration and development experts from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific will attend a meeting in Kingston, Jamaica from 2-4 July to examine the costs and benefits of migration to small states and to make practical suggestions about mechanisms small states can employ to realise greater benefits from migration.

Political will to translate development into real, co-ordinated action crucial for very small island states.

The Commonwealth’s new Trade Adviser for Small States has joined the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva.

Regional consultative meeting held in Tonga

Washington DC, United States of America

International trade experts from around the Commonwealth are working on a ‘first-of-its-kind’ publication, designed to give practical advice to negotiators from small states.

“The CFTC is a trusted partner particularly noted for responding to the concerns of small states” – Deputy Secretary-General