The Commonwealth Secretariat has championed small and vulnerable states since the 1980's. We offer critical support and advocacy to help them thrive. Discover our initiatives designed to strengthen economic resilience, enhance environmental sustainability, and ensure a prosperous future for small nations.
Small states are particularly vulnerable because of their:
The Commonwealth Secretariat:
The Commonwealth defines small states as:
Africa
Asia
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Caribbean and Americas
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Europe
Pacific
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The Commonwealth Secretariat bring together member states to discuss ideas and build consensus on Commonwealth policy positions which we promote internationally.
Key meetings organised by the Commonwealth include:
We produce publications including:
Explore our Small States publications and research
The 21st volume of the Small States Economic Review examines the impacts of COVID-19 on Commonwealth small states. As well as climate change impacts and persistent debt levels, the Review highlights the sharper economic contractions felt by small states at the height of the pandemic, due to high dependence on trade and tourism sectors. There is also analysis of the impacts and solutions for the tourism industry.
The economic impacts of COVID-19 were felt by every country, with Commonwealth small states worst affected. As many small states import basic produce such as food, their economies are often vulnerable to external and natural shocks. Yet vulnerability is not identified in the current measurement system used to provide development finance to countries most in need. Among suggestions, the paper proposes including vulnerability as a measure of income, combining the Commonwealth Universal Vulnerability Index with GDP.
This report, now in its second edition, provides an analysis of the recent economic developments within the Commonwealth. The Report finds that while post-COVID-19 economic recovery is underway, it is necessary to rethink output processes while considering climate change – a key message from COP26. The circular economy proposes a viable alternative, and the Commonwealth Universal Vulnerability Index offers a multidimensional approach to assessing vulnerability.
In 2021 we launched the Small States Policy Simulation Labs Project, a collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge.
Read about 'Their Future, Our Action': Cambridge Small States Policy Simulation Labs
