News and events
"Be the change we wish to see" The Commonwealth and United Nations Population Fund celebrate Mandela Day
As we prepare to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day - a day to honour the legacy of the much-loved icon - the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC Secretary-General of the Commonwealth invited UNFPA’s Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem, to discuss the values of championing social justice, volunteering and community service.
Zambia election ‘Peace Pledge’ raises bar for other Commonwealth countries holding elections, says Secretary-General
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has commended the signing of an official peace pact in Lusaka, ahead of the 12th August polls.
US$345 billion loss in trade for Commonwealth countries due to pandemic
Commonwealth countries are estimated to have lost up to US$345 billion worth of trade in 2020, including $60 billion in intra-Commonwealth trade, according to 2021 Commonwealth Trade Review on “Energising Commonwealth Trade in a Digital World: Paths to Recovery Post-COVID”.
Commonwealth Urges Respect for the Rule of Law in Samoa
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, has called on political leaders in Samoa to uphold the rule of law and adhere to the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth Charter.
Zambia’s political leaders urged to commit to peaceful elections
The Coalition for Peaceful Elections in Zambia has launched an initiative encouraging political party leaders and candidates in the upcoming elections to commit to peaceful elections by signing a peace pledge and making a joint public commitment reaffirming non-violence and a credible electoral process.
The Commonwealth calls for calm and restraint in Eswatini
The Commonwealth has been following the situation in Eswatini very closely, and is concerned about the regrettable violence that has led to loss of life and the destruction of property.
Commonwealth joins effort to involve more women in politics
The Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) have given their backing to an initiative to get women more involved in politics and parliamentary leadership.
Belize explores debt-for-climate swaps with Commonwealth support
The Government of Belize is focusing on debt-for-climate swaps to tackle the dual threat of mounting public debt and climate change impacts in the country, with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Commonwealth announces new prize at Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Today, Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC announced the ‘Christof Heyns Memorial Commonwealth Prize’ during the 13th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
Event: Launch of the 2021 Commonwealth Trade Review
This edition of the biennial Commonwealth Trade Review presents new empirical findings about the impact of the pandemic and outlines practical recommendations to boost trade recovery and build resilience, especially by harnessing digital trade and digital technologies, utilising post-Brexit trading opportunities and promoting more sustainable green and blue economies.