This Plan will strengthen the Commonwealth’s ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to evolving challenges – whether democratic, economic, or environmental. We will prioritise our work to ensure value from every investment, building on our comparative advantages and aiming for measurable, lasting outcomes for our members.
Democratic institutions are under pressure, and intergovernmental organisations are facing a resource crunch. It’s becoming harder for people to speak out, take part in public life, and trust the systems meant to protect them. At the same time, debt is rising, prices are high, and access to finance is limited, making it difficult for governments to facilitate investment in jobs, schools, and public services. These challenges are compounded by the effects of climate change, energy insecurity, and the damage being inflicted on our oceans and natural resources.
While all Commonwealth members encounter shared challenges, the voices of youth, women, marginalised communities, and small and vulnerable states – including small island developing states – are vital. They bear the greatest burdens, but they also drive transformative progress.
These groups often encounter the most significant barriers – whether to meaningful participation in decision-making, employment, or control of their natural resources. The Strategic Plan acknowledges these challenges and commits to channelling resources, support, and platforms directly towards these change-makers, empowering them to build a resilient future.
Reprioritising Our Core Strengths
By focusing on democratic, economic, and environmental resilience, and putting young people, women, small island developing states and other small states at the heart of everything we do, the Secretariat can help build fairer, stronger, and more inclusive societies. These are not separate issues but part of a shared agenda to protect people’s rights, strengthen public trust, and secure a more sustainable future for all.
See the annex for a readable, text-based version of this table.
