The Secretary-General’s Good Offices for Peace supports the Commonwealth's commitment to conflict prevention and resolution in line with the Commonwealth Charter.
Heads at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings have mandated the Secretary-General’s Good Offices for Peace to de-escalate tensions and improve overall political stability across the Commonwealth. The Secretary-General’s Good Offices for Peace Section works closely with member states, internal and external stakeholders to create strategies that promote greater pan-Commonwealth peace and adherence to Commonwealth values and principles.
Values and principles
As a values-based organisation the Commonwealth is in a unique position to undertake Good Offices efforts within its membership. The values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and sustainable development have been adopted, reaffirmed and advanced by heads of government in various communiques and declarations.
The Commonwealth's values and principles related to good offices are enshrined in several key documents, including:
- The 1971 Singapore Declaration
- The 1991 Harare Declaration
- The 1995 Millbrook Action Programme
- The 2003 Latimer House Principles
- The 2009 Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles
- The 2013 Commonwealth Charter
Our approach to promoting peace
The Secretary-General's Good Offices for Peace works to facilitate peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts within member countries or between members, promoting stability, democracy, and human rights, always promoting the development of women and youth.
Our activities may involve both shortand long-term engagements, including:
- Facilitating dialogue among conflicting parties.
- Mediation, quiet and shuttle diplomacy, trust building and negotiation.
- Preventative diplomacy to identify early warning signs of conflict and act proactively to prevent escalation.
- Technical assistance and support for electoral processes, judicial reforms, constitutional development and human rights.
- The appointment of Special Envoys.
- Observation and monitoring of political developments and elections to promote transparency and trust in political processes.
- Building national, regional and international partnerships with Heads of State, government and civil society agencies and leveraging Commonwealth and other networks to support peace.
Chair-in-Office
The Commonwealth Chair-in-Office supports the Commonwealth Secretary-General in promoting the Commonwealth’s political values.
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group also works closely with the Secretary-General’s Good Offices, though the two are distinct.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is the custodian of the Commonwealth political values —democracy, human rights, rule of law, and constitutional governance—particularly when these are threatened or violated in member states. CMAG assesses and provides responses, recommendations to proactively engage to promote peace.
Find out more and read the outcome statements of CMAG meetings
Championing the values of the Commonwealth
Around 100 young leaders from across Bangladesh have pledged to champion the values of the Commonwealth Charter.
The Commonwealth Secretariat organised the workshop in partnership with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Diplomats Forum celebrates 75 years of impact
Discussions focused on the Commonwealth’s ongoing contributions to global diplomacy and its adaptability in addressing contemporary challenges.
