Small states | Commonwealth

CHOGM 2026 | 1-4 November | St John's, Antigua and Barbuda

Explore CHOGM 2026

For more information contact our Economic Policy and Small States Section

Main page for this area of work

Commonwealth Secretariat and WTO strengthen efforts to boost trade capacity of Commonwealth members

The Commonwealth Secretariat and World Trade Organization (WTO) signed yesterday (11 June) a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations and to enhance the participation of Commonwealth countries in the multilateral trading system.

Commonwealth Supporting Small States ahead of WTO Ministerial

Ahead of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) starting on 12 June 2022, the Commonwealth Small States Office (CSSO) in Geneva organised two virtual workshops to assist small states with their preparations for the ministerial meeting.

Progress Report of the 2018 Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting of Small States

The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States was convened in London, United Kingdom, on 17 April 2018 during the week of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The meeting was co-chaired by the CHOGM hosts, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Fiji. In attendance were ministers from 41 Commonwealth countries, including all 31 small states, international financial institutions, regional organisations and several development partners who attended the meeting as observers.

Read publication

Caribbean countries harness the power of data science

Senior government officials, policy makers and industry leaders in the field of data science are gathering in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda this week for an intensive workshop on how to harness data for impactful innovation, while addressing the significant data gaps that Caribbean countries face.

Underestimated and Overlooked: Reducing the Cost of Crime and Violence in the Caribbean

19 April 2022 to 19 April 2022

Event

This Commonwealth Side Event at the 2022 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group will aim to understand how organised crime is affecting the economies of Caribbean Commonwealth countries and how they can build capacity resilience going forward.

Saint Lucia explores new climate finance solutions

The Government of Saint Lucia is rolling out fresh projects that aim to boost the flow of climate finance into the country, with the support of the Commonwealth and key partners.

Commonwealth engages with over 400 youth in Cambridge Country Consultation workshop

Last week, 460 young people from across the Commonwealth participated in the Cambridge Country Consultation workshop that aims to transform the capacity of governments in Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to attract sustainable finance for youth initiatives, protect biodiversity and to contribute to resilient economies.

Their Future, Our Action: Cambridge Small States Policy Simulation Labs

The Small States Policy Simulation Labs Project is a collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Resilience and Sustainable Development Programme at the University of Cambridge.

Tonga volcano and tsunami relief

The Commonwealth family has mobilised to assist the Kingdom of Tonga in its time of need, following a devastating undersea volcanic eruption on 15 January 2022, which generated tsunami waves of up to 15m high.

Commonwealth ready to assist Tonga following dual disasters

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has expressed her sincere condolences for the lives lost in the double disaster that has engulfed the Pacific Island kingdom of Tonga, while reaffirming the Commonwealth’s willingness to offer maximum assistance.

Youth for climate action blog series

This Commonwealth Secretariat blog series features young people from across the Commonwealth who are leading the way on local climate action.

Small States

The Commonwealth champions the needs of small states, offering critical support and advocacy to help them thrive. Discover our initiatives designed to strengthen economic resilience, enhance environmental sustainability, and ensure a prosperous future for small nations.

Natural Disasters, Trade Policy and Trade Negotiations: Challenges, Solutions and Resilience Building for Small Island Developing States and Others

Event

From December 1-3, 2021, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is providing a virtual space 'The IISD’s Trade + Sustainability Hub' for civil society, government, business, and international organizations to discuss trade and sustainable development.

Supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the Commonwealth ahead of WTO Ministerial Conference

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), to be held from 30 November to 3 December,

Commonwealth Pavilion at COP26: Week 1 highlights

The Commonwealth Secretariat organised its first Commonwealth Pavilion at COP26 to serve as an inclusive and collaborative space for member countries and accredited organisations to meet, host side events, convene meetings and showcase research. Here are some of the highlights from the first week of COP26 at the Commonwealth Pavilion.

Commonwealth Secretary-General calls on leaders to “dig deeper” in climate talks for the sake of vulnerable nations

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has appealed to world leaders attending the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 to close the gap in ongoing negotiations this week in Glasgow, with millions of lives and livelihoods on the line in climate-vulnerable countries.

Read press release

New toolkit to boost clean energy investments in small island nations

A new toolkit launched in the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 aims to unlock clean energy investments for small island nations, many of whom rely heavily on imported fossil fuels for power generation.

Read press release

Commonwealth Empowers Small States Officials ahead of World Trade Organization negotiations

Senior trade officials from Commonwealth Small States last week concluded a three-day virtual workshop to prepare for the World Trade Organization’s forthcoming Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12).

Mobilising the ‘Tools’ for renewable energy investment in the Seychelles

Breaking the world’s reliance on fossil fuels and accelerating the global uptake of renewable energy will play a decisive role in diminishing the threat of global warming to the survival of life on earth, according to experts. But turning the vision into reality will demand unwavering political will and, critically, massive investment, which can no longer be shouldered solely by aid and development partners.

Climate finance a “fundamental issue of trust”: Commonwealth Secretary-General

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has called for developed countries to finally honour the decade-long pledge to make $100 billion available each year to fight climate change in developing countries.

Commonwealth chief calls for "highest possible ambition" at COP26

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has called for all countries to deliver an ambitious and transformative outcome at the imminent UN Climate Change Conference COP26, while appealing for increased support for the smallest and most vulnerable nations.

Read press release

Blog: Mentoring women and youth matters for conservation in Mauritius

This Commonwealth Secretariat blog about marine conservationist Josheena Naggea, is part of a series launched during Youth4Climate and continuing in the lead up to COP26 and beyond, featuring young people from across the Commonwealth who are leading the way on local climate action.

Commonwealth to champion climate vulnerable small states at COP26

During a visit to The Bahamas this week, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland called for urgent action to ensure improved climate resilience of small states and promised to amplify the concerns of small and other vulnerable states at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow this November.

Commonwealth Secretary-General invites 20 young Bajans to join climate action initiative

Commonwealth Secretary-General invites 20 young Bajans to join youth climate action initiative

Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers meet to discuss COVID-19, vaccines and climate change

Foreign Affairs Ministers from across the Commonwealth met yesterday for the 21st annual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM). The meeting was held virtually for the second year in a row due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.