Commonwealth Secretariat
Secrétariat pour les pays du Commonwealth
Secretaria del Commonwealth
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Contact Details
URL: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/
Founded
1965 London UK
History
Available with paid subscription only.Aims
As an informal grouping, the Commonwealth has no statutory objectives. However, the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles, agreed 1971, Singapore (Singapore) and reaffirmed in the Harare (Zimbabwe) Commonwealth Declaration, 1991, sets out the fundamental political values underpinning the Commonwealth: democracy and good governance; respect for human rights and gender equality; the rule of law; sustainable economic and social development. Mission statement: work as a trusted partner for all Commonwealth people as: a force for peace, democracy, equality and good governance; a catalyst for global consensus-building; a source of assistance for sustainable development and poverty eradication. In general, aims are to: act as a bridge between races and religions and between rich and poor, enabling them to discuss common problems and work together for solutions; promote international peace and order, equal rights for all citizens and the liberty of the individual; oppose colonial domination and racial oppression; help to achieve a fairer global society. The common heritage shared by member states in many fields, including a common language, enables them to work together in an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding. The aims of the Secretariat are to: facilitate joint consultation and cooperation among member countries and collect and disseminate information for their use; organize meetings and conferences in areas of common concern and put into effect decisions for collective Commonwealth action.
Events
2026 | St John's, Antigua-Barbuda – Biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting382 past events available with paid subscription only.
Activities
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Active Strategic Relationships with a large number of international and regional (integration) partners, including: D-XD8572 - African Union (AU), and especially African Union Commission; D-XD4579 - Caribbean Community (CARICOM); C-XC0382 - Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO); F-XF2147 - European Union (EU) and especially E-XE2442 - European Commission (EC); D-XD3260 - Pacific Community (SPC); A-XA3375 - United Nations (UN) General Assembly and UN agencies; B-XF2527 - World Trade Organization (WTO). Sister organizations: F-XF0369 - Commonwealth Foundation (CF); F-XF1309 - Commonwealth of Learning (COL). Non-accredited organizations: S-XS3453 - Commonwealth Conference of Postal Administrations (CCPA); S-XS3559 - Conference of Commonwealth Auditors General. Links with: F-XF0369 - Commonwealth Foundation (CF); F-XF3936 - Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC).
Relations with Non-Governmental Organizations
The Commonwealth has a network of over 90 civil society organizations (CSOs), ranging from professional associations to business organizations, trade unions, and organizations of elected bodies such as parliamentarians and local government authorities. Civil society relations with the Commonwealth have grown in breadth and depth over time, following, part, from the recommendations of the 2002 High Level Review Group, presenting its report at the Coolum (Australia) CHOGM and recommending strengthening links with the non-governmental Commonwealth. Additional strengthening and continued development of relations occurred following decision to grant CSOs Commonwealth accreditation, 2003. Minimum criteria for accreditation include: commitment to the Commonwealth's fundamental values; representation of the diversity of Commonwealth countries; principles of transparency and openness to all members. Accreditation provides CSOs with 'observer status' enabling them to attend Commonwealth Ministerial and other meetings.
Accredited civil society organizations associated with the Commonwealth:
- H-XD0372 - Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Records Managers (ACARM);
- C-XC0100 - Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (ACLALS);
- C-XC0122 - Association of Commonwealth Universities, The (ACU);
- U-XM3696 - ComHabitat;
- E-XJ0999 - The Commonwealth Association (COMASSOC);
- C-XC0360 - Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA);
- C-XD8092 - Commonwealth Association for Health and Disability (COMHAD);
- C-XM3718 - Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies (CALRAs);
- C-XD4792 - Commonwealth Association of Museums (CAM);
- D-XD8128 - Commonwealth Association of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (CAPGAN);
- C-XC3958 - Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP);
- C-XD2687 - Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM);
- D-XC4545 - Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME);
- C-XC8308 - Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA);
- U-XE3848 - Commonwealth Business Council (CBC);
- F-XM1079 - Commonwealth Consortium for Education (CCfE);
- C-XC4608 - Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM);
- E-XC0367 - Commonwealth Countries League (CCL);
- C-XD2334 - Commonwealth Dental Association (CDA);
- E-XE5519 - The Commonwealth Education Trust (CET);
- C-XC0368 - Commonwealth Engineers' Council (CEC);
- C-XC4552 - Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA);
- C-XC0198 - Commonwealth Sport;
- E-XE0370 - Commonwealth Geographical Bureau (CGB);
- C-XC3937 - Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC);
- F-XF0062 - Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI);
- C-XD1667 - Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA);
- G-XJ4022 - Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute (CJEI);
- C-XD5238 - Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA);
- C-XC4550 - Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA);
- F-XF3085 - Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF);
- C-XC4569 - Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges' Association (CMJA);
- C-XC0371 - Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA);
- C-XM3703 - Commonwealth Medical Trust (Commat);
- C-XC4568 - Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation (CNMF);
- C-XM3699 - Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW);
- C-XC0372 - Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA);
- C-XC3880 - Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA);
- G-XG8720 - Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit (CPSU);
- G-XD4040 - Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council (CYEC);
- C-XS3298 - Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists (CCM);
- G-XG3881 - Council for Education in the Commonwealth (CEC);
- G-XG1118 - Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London (ICWS);
- F-XF6511 - NGO Commonwealth Women's Network (CWN);
- C-XC0363 - Public Media Alliance (PMA);
- F-XF4139 - Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC);
- F-XC0197 - Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL);
- E-XF4981 - Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS);
- G-XG3461 - Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL);
- F-XF3167 - Sightsavers International.
Other Accredited CSOs:
- E-XE1093 - African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS);
- G-XJ1006 - BasicNeeds;
- U-XJ1009 - Building Understanding through International Links for Development (BUILD);
- F-XF3276 - CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation;
- U-XJ1012 - Commonwealth HIV and AIDS Action Group (Para55);
- F-XD2589 - Corona Worldwide;
- G-XN9921 - Forum of Federations;
- A-XA1771 - International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW);
- B-XD1841 - International Federation for Human Rights;
- A-XM2085 - International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC);
- D-XJ4395 - Pacific Foundation for the Advancement of Women (PACFAW);
- D-XD3083 - Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (PIANGO);
- B-XB3245 - Soroptimist International (SI) Commonwealth Group;
- F-XF2663 - Transparency International (TI);
- B-XC4317 - World Vision International (WVI).
Non-accredited organizations:
- G-XJ1013 - Commonwealth Association of Indigenous Peoples (CAIP);
- E-XM3620 - Commonwealth Association of Professional Centres (CAPC);
- H-XD4664 - Commonwealth Association of Scientific Agricultural Societies (CASAS);
- C-XC3672 - Commonwealth Jewish Council;
- H-XC4038 - Commonwealth Library Association (COMLA);
- F-XE1465 - Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM);
- G-XM1080 - Commonwealth Relations Trust;
- H-XC0380 - Commonwealth Society for the Deaf (Sound Seekers);
- C-XC4319 - Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA);
- C-XC0373 - CPU Media Trust;
- F-XJ1015 - Eastern Africa Centre for Constitutional Development (Kituo Cha Katiba);
- C-XC0529 - English-Speaking Union (ESU);
- G-XG0892 - Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship.
Publications
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UN Sustainable Development Goals **
UIA Org ID
XC0376
** UN SDGs are linked to the subject classification.
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