Latest content: Trade and economy

Blog by Dr Thomas Munthali, Commonwealth Secretariat’s Head of Economic Policy and Small States.

The year 2025 marked a defining moment for the global economy — and an especially consequential one for small and vulnerable states. As the world grappled with geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, energy transitions and tightening fiscal and financial conditions, uncertainty became the new normal. For small states, already navigating narrow economic bases and heightened exposure to external shocks, the stakes could not have been higher.

Yet 2025 was not defined by pressure alone. It was also a year that underscored the enduring strength of the Commonwealth family and the tangible value of working together.

A group of entrepreneurs from across the Pacific and Caribbean is showing how small island nations are developing homegrown responses to climate and economic challenges.

The Government of Belize, in partnership with the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat, recently concluded a three-day capacity building workshop to strengthen national expertise in competition law and policy. The training took place from 10 to 13 February in Belmopan.

A blog by Kim Kampel, Trade Negotiations and Emerging Trade Issues Adviser, Commonwealth Small States Office

In Malawi, agriculture underpins the livelihoods of the majority of the population and forms the backbone of the national economy. Estimates indicate that over 80 percent of Malawians are dependent in some way on agriculture; ensuring the sector’s equitable and sustainable growth is therefore critical for the country’s economic growth and continued progress for communities and families.

As it celebrates its 40th year, the Information Technology for Development (ITD) journal is expanding its horizons and will now be published by the Association for Information Systems (AIS).

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend a long-standing partnership, setting out a three-year programme of work to support sustainable, inclusive and digitally enabled trade across the Commonwealth, an association of 56 countries over five continents.

St Kitts and Nevis has launched a national consultation to modernise its e-commerce and digital trade laws, with technical support from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The country is the first in the Caribbean to pilot the Commonwealth Model Law on Digital Trade.

The Commonwealth Secretariat today launched the National Agricultural Data Infrastructure (NAgDI) Policy Guide, a landmark framework to help member countries unlock the power of agricultural data as a driver of productivity, food security and digital sovereignty.

Commonwealth Finance Ministers have met to set out ways to tackle the global economic uncertainty amid trade tariffs, inflationary pressures, debt vulnerabilities, and geopolitical fragmentation.

During the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week, held in  Jamaica, the Commonwealth Secretariat officially launched the Commonwealth Model Law on Digital Trade, accompanied by an implementation guide. This landmark legal framework is designed to modernise trade rules, strengthen competitiveness, and drive inclusive growth in the digital economy

In the second of a two-part assessment of the global economic outlooks ahead of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington on 13 October 2025, Dr Thomas Munthali, Head of Economic Policy and Small States at the Commonwealth Secretariat, outlines how member countries can best respond.

Food producers, entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and hospitality professionals on Mauritius' Rodrigues Island have been trained in world-class food safety standards to help boost the territory’s growing export market.

In the first in a two-part assessment of the global economic outlooks ahead of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington on 13 October 2025, Dr Thomas Munthali, Head of Economic Policy and Small States at the Commonwealth Secretariat, sets out the challenge facing member countries.

Fiji has launched a new digital interface, with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat, to better track how public funds are used.

Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth convened today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the  25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), chaired by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo.

Commonwealth Central Bank Governors met on 16 September 2025 to address the economic challenges facing the 56 member countries, share their experiences, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

A blog by Neil Balchin (Economic Adviser, Trade Policy Analysis, International Trade Policy, Commonwealth Secretariat) and Kim Kampel (Trade Negotiations and Emerging Trade Issues, Commonwealth Small States Office) discussing their paper Investment Flows into Commonwealth Small States: Trends, Challenges and Implications.

Sri Lanka will begin using the Commonwealth Meridian software next month to manage public debt as part of its economic recovery plan.