Small States

The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches high priority to supporting the integration of small states in the global economy, building their resilience and competitiveness, and helping them take advantage of the opportunities and meet the challenges arising from globalisation.

The various work programmes implemented by the Secretariat assist small states to cope with their vulnerabilities and meet the challenges and opportunities of globalisation, and build economic resilience; strengthen capacity and empower human resources; integrate into the global economy and increase competitiveness; and benefit from international trade and international and regional cooperation.

The issues, challenges, and prospects of small states are discussed annually in the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting and have become a major agenda item within the Foreign Ministers Meeting at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. There are also occasional meetings of the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Small States which comprises of London based Small States High Commissioners.

The Secretariat also produces a number of studies that advocates the vulnerability of small states and the need for special treatment of these countries by the International community. Recent studies completed includes ‘The emerging debt problems of Small States’ and ‘Mainstreaming sustainable development in small states’ The Secretariat publishes annually, the ‘Small States Economic Review and Basic Statistics’ that contains topical articles on small states, small states development indicators and a review of the recent economic developments in small states.