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.
The agreement was signed virtually by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey and ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton to deepen cooperation in key areas, including:
- Small island developing states’ resilience: Build socioeconomic resilience through more inclusive and diverse trade and financing opportunities, with a focus on addressing climate change, including by investing in the blue (ocean) and green economies.
- Women’s economic empowerment: Support women-owned businesses to access markets, finance and global value chains through joint training, policy support and expansion of ITC’s SheTrades initiative.
- African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) implementation: Mobilise private-sector engagement and accelerate implementation of the AfCFTA through joint capacity building on the Digital Trade and Investment protocols, as well as partnerships with regional business associations.
- Critical minerals: Promote the development of and investment in critical mineral value chains by supporting countries on governance, sustainability standards, beneficiation and responsible business conduct.
- Youth empowerment: Promote thought leadership on youth entrepreneurship and innovation, and support skills development, knowledge exchange and community building through collaboration between ITC’s youth team and the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
- Digital and borderless trade: Promote inclusive e-commerce, digital trade solutions, knowledge exchange and joint resource mobilisation to help small businesses thrive in the digital economy.
Renewing a deep partnership
The new agreement, with its three-year programme of work, builds on years of joint initiatives, underscoring the shared commitment of ITC and the Commonwealth Secretariat to support Commonwealth countries – particularly least developed countries, small states and vulnerable economies – to build small business competitiveness and achieve sustainable development through trade.
At the signing ceremony, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said:
"This renewed partnership reflects our shared conviction that trade must be a force for resilience, inclusion and opportunity across the Commonwealth. By deepening our partnership with the International Trade Centre, we will help to equip our small states, women and youth entrepreneurs, and emerging industries, from the blue economy to critical minerals, to compete and thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
"Together, we seek to build the foundations for sustainable prosperity that leaves no country and no community behind."
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said:
"What our new agreement aims to make possible is a future where crises aren’t running the table, but where small businesses across the Commonwealth are instead dictating their own futures and helping make possible the goals that Commonwealth countries have set out for themselves."
The 2025–2028 Action Plan outlines a wide range of activities, including joint publications, technical assistance, data sharing, policy support and capacity building tailored to the needs of Commonwealth countries.
The MOU also enhances cooperation on joint advocacy and participation in key Commonwealth and international events.
Media contact
- Rena Gashumba Communications Adviser, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- T: +44 7483 919 968 | E-mail
