Latest content: Small states

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said today that he is extremely concerned by the further stalling of the democratic process in Maldives, following the stopping this morning of the scheduled 19 October presidential election.

The Observer Group wishes to clarify that at no stage did the Commonwealth Observer Group or any of its members give advice to the Maldives Police Service regarding its decision to take action to prevent the 19 October Presidential election from taking place.

The Commonwealth proposal includes the need for integration of resilience building of small states, provision of grace periods for debt repayment during times of natural disasters or other external shocks and provision of countercyclical loans.

A publication that explores how tourism can facilitate growth, create jobs and improve livelihoods in small island developing states was launched in Washington DC on 12 October 2013.

A high-level group of Commonwealth finance ministers met heads of leading international financial institutions in Washington DC on 7 October and made a case for the urgent need to address the debt and financing challenges of small states.

The high-level group of Commonwealth ministers will meet heads of leading international financial institutions to make a case for the urgent need to address the debt and financing challenges of small states.

Delegates from small states have praised The Commonwealth for providing practical solutions to the challenges they face delivering access to justice for their citizens.

Commonwealth-financed barrister works to ensure investments in Grenada will benefit the people

“This book provides a ray of hope to small states" - Assad Bhuglah, Director of Trade Policy at the International Trade Division, Mauritius

World-renowned experts will meet in Valletta, Malta, from 18 to 19 June for a technical workshop on strengthening resilience in small states. Over half of the Commonwealth’s 54 member countries are small states.

"The Commonwealth will continue to speak out internationally and to advocate on the interests of small island states" - Kamalesh Sharma

Delegates share governance solutions to distinctive challenges facing micro-states

Meeting will explore solutions to public administration challenges faced by small member countries

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 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 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 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

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.