Commonwealth Secretariat
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Small States

Small States

Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's 53 member countries are small states - mostly with populations of less than 1.5 million. The Secretariat attaches high priority to supporting their integration in the global economy, building their resilience and competitiveness, and helping them take advantage of the opportunities and meet the challenges arising from globalisation.

They range in size from micro-states such as St Kitts and Nevis, Nauru, Niue, and Tuvalu with less than 50,000 people each, to countries like Botswana, The Gambia and Mauritius.

Our Work

Sustainable Development

Environment

Small states are particularly vulnerable to certain environmental threats and external economic shocks.

Vulnerability and Resilience

Vulnerability

Small states face particular threats from economic shocks and natural disasters and their capacity to deal with these shocks is limited.

Latest Initiatives

Small States Agreeing a Future Strategy

Small States Agreeing a Future Strategy

Consultations are under way with small states' governments on the Review of the 2000 Commonwealth Secretariat/World Bank Joint Task Force Report.

2006 Small States Forum

On Monday 18th September, representatives of small developing countries that are members of the World Bank met in Singapore for the 2006 Small States Forum.

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