Mauritius is a subtropical island country in the Indian Ocean, just over 1,130 kilometres east of Madagascar, off the south-eastern coast of Africa. Its outlying territories include Rodrigues Island and other smaller islands. The main island is surrounded by coral reefs and has sandy beaches, with fertile plains rising sharply to rocky mountains.
Key facts
- Region: Africa
- Population: 1,265,300 (2018)
- Area: Island of Mauritius: 1,864 square kilometres. Rodrigues: 104 square kilometres. Total including other islands: 2,050 square kilometres
- Capital: Port Louis
- Joined Commonwealth: 1968, following independence from Britain
- Commonwealth Youth Index: 16 out of 49 countries
Secretariat support for Mauritius
Elections support
In October 2018, Mauritius took part in a Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative training. Participants exchanged experiences on electoral issues and discussed solutions to challenges.
Tackling corruption
The Secretariat helped strengthen Mauritius’s anti-corruption agency through a management and leadership course. It produced a publication on anti-corruption which included Mauritius as a case study.
Youth
The Secretariat helped the University of Mauritius and the Open University of Mauritius develop and deliver youth work skills and qualifications, including a youth work degree.
The Secretariat is helping Mauritius to measure the contribution of sport and physical education to sustainable development. It helped Mauritius strengthen its Sport for All policy ahead of this process in 2017.
Economic development
The Secretariat trained 10 debt managers from Mauritius to use Commonwealth Meridian, its new debt management system.
Climate change
Mauritius hosts the Commonwealth’s flagship Finance Access Hub. Mauritius used the hub to access money from international projects and funds to help it tackle climate change.
Blue Charter
Mauritius is a co-champion of the Blue Charter Action Group on Coral Reef Protection and Restoration, alongside Australia and Belize.
Mauritius is also a member of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and Sustainable Aquaculture Action Groups.
Connectivity Agenda
Mauritius is a member of the Physical, Digital and Regulatory Connectivity clusters of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.
