Latest content: Trade and economy

The Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA), which ran from 2011 to 2020, set out a vision and strategy for sustainable development in least developed countries (LDCs) by seeking to overcome some of their persistent development challenges. This report takes stock of the progress made and the challenges encountered by the Commonwealth’s 14 LDCs during implementation of the IPoA. At the dawn of a new programme of action in 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgence of new variants of the virus, the report also looks ahead to opportunities to address the special needs of Commonwealth LDCs and improve their trade and development prospects over the next decade.

Learn more about the B2B Connectivity cluster of the Connectivity Agenda

Learn more about the Supply Side Connectivity cluster of the Connectivity Agenda

Learn more about the Regulatory Connectivity cluster of the Connectivity Agenda

Learn more about the Digital Connectivity cluster of the Connectivity Agenda

Learn more about the Connectivity Agenda Physical Connectivity cluster

The Hub and Spokes program is an innovative initiative that sends trade advisors to government ministries and economic organisations to help boost trade in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries.

With the emergence of technology-enabled financial services (fintech) and the profound changes to the production and delivery of financial services it has enabled, Commonwealth Central Bank Governors (CCBGs) expressed a desire for improved technical guidance on fintech implementation.

Commonwealth countries are endowed with immense and precious natural resources. These include millions of square kilometres of ocean space, significant renewable (wind, solar) and non-renewable resources (oil, gas, minerals). When managed equitably and sustainably, the exploitation of natural resources bolsters national resilience to economic and social crises, improving prosperity for all citizens.

The Secretariat’s Debt Management Unit (DMU), through its public debt management programme, supports member countries’ efforts to effectively manage their debt portfolios.

Fundamental changes are taking place in the technologies and rules that underpin global trade in goods and services. This presents the Commonwealth’s diverse countries with challenges, but opens up opportunities to expand trade and investment between members and with the rest of the world.