Commonwealth of Nations

Description

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, home to 2.7 billion people. Most of its members are former territories of the British Empire, but membership is now open to any country. Its roots trace back to the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster of 1931, and the modern Commonwealth dates from the 1949 London Declaration.

Member governments have agreed shared goals of development, democracy and peace, set out in the Commonwealth Charter. At the heart of the Commonwealth family are three intergovernmental organisations. The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to achieve these aims, the Commonwealth Foundation supports people’s participation in democracy and development, and the Commonwealth of Learning promotes open learning and distance education.

The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965, is the intergovernmental organisation that coordinates Commonwealth activities. It acts as a voice for small and vulnerable states, champions young people, and promotes justice and human rights. It also addresses threats such as climate change, debt and inequality, helps grow economies and trade, strengthens governance, and provides technical help, training and expert advice to member countries.

Commonwealth leaders meet every two years at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to agree priorities. The Commonwealth Secretary-General represents the Commonwealth publicly and manages the Secretariat, and is nominated by leaders for up to two four-year terms; Shirley Botchwey holds the role today. King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth, a symbolic role that is not hereditary.