"When Commonwealth countries take collective decisions, it can move the whole world," - Commonwealth Secretary-General
Today marks 75 years since the signing of the London Declaration - and the founding of the modern Commonwealth.
Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said it was a testament to the Commonwealth’s resilience that it remains a flourishing multilateral institution, still relevant to its members.
“The Commonwealth’s growth and evolution has been remarkable. From a group of eight nations, brought together in the shadow of war to bring ‘a touch of healing’ to relationships which were changing, the Commonwealth today brings together 56 nations and 2.5 billion people.
“We are a family, joined by common values, shared interests and common action; and the bonds of friendship and experience which have sustained us for 75 years are stronger than ever.
“The ingenuity and imagination of a third of the world’s population, and our extraordinary diversity, makes the Commonwealth more relevant and important than ever, as a vital resource for peace, values and collective action on the pressing issues of our time.”
On 26 April 1949, Commonwealth leaders from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom met in London to discuss the constitutional issues arising from India’s wish to become a sovereign republic, while also remaining a member of the Commonwealth. They adopted the London Declaration which paved the way for the formation of the Modern Commonwealth.
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The Declaration marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Commonwealth by recognising equality among member states, regardless of their size, wealth or background.
Secretary-General Scotland emphasised the significance of equal status for countries often under-represented in global forums.
“In October this year, leaders will gather in the small island nation of Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The meeting will shine a light on the issues facing countries such as Samoa and exemplify the mutual support that holds our diverse family together. When Commonwealth countries take collective decisions, it can move the whole world,” she said.
The Commonwealth’s work flows from the mandates of Heads of Government and is rooted in the shared values of peace and justice, tolerance, respect, and solidarity.
Building on their mandate, the Secretary-General said the Commonwealth’s programme of action, support and assistance is more comprehensive today than ever before, highlighting a wide array of initiatives ranging from:
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the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which commits all 56 Commonwealth countries to actively cooperate to tackle ocean-related challenges and meet commitments for sustainable ocean development;
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the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter, which seeks to address climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation;
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the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has unlocked $357 million for developing countries to tackle climate breakdown;
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the Commonwealth debt management system, which is used by 43 member countries to manage their debt portfolios;
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the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, which seeks to boost intra-Commonwealth trade to $2 trillion by 2030 (currently at $800 billion);
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the Universal Vulnerability Index, which seeks to drive a more nuanced understanding of defining and measuring a country’s vulnerability to economic and environmental shocks;
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the Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Benchmarks, which are designed to help governments tackle graft within public and private sectors;
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the Commonwealth Says NO MORE campaign, which takes a culturally sensitive approach towards ending domestic and sexual violence;
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the Commonwealth’s work on the use of AI to empower our young people, supercharge climate action and build inclusive economies; and
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the Commonwealth’s work to protect the process, institutions, and culture of democracy through election observations and peace-building initiatives. The Commonwealth has observed over 200 elections in nearly 40 countries since 1980.
Media contact
- Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- +44 20 7747 6476 | E-mail
