The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political association of states.
Its roots go back to the British Empire when some countries were ruled directly or indirectly by Britain. Some of these countries became self-governing while retaining Britain’s monarch as Head of State. They formed the British Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1949 the association we know today – The Commonwealth – came into being.
In that year India became a republic but still wished to remain a member of the association. In response, leaders agreed that membership did not have to be based on allegiance to the British Crown. Commonwealth members were “free and equal members of the Commonwealth of Nations, freely co-operating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress” - The London Declaration 1949.
Since then, independent countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific have joined The Commonwealth.
The last two countries to join The Commonwealth - Rwanda and Mozambique - have no historical ties to the British Empire.
Head of the Commonwealth
HM Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth.
The Head of The Commonwealth’s role includes a number of symbolic functions.
There is no maximum fixed term for the Head of The Commonwealth. The choice of successive Heads will be made collectively by Commonwealth leaders.
Commonwealth Secretary-General
Kamalesh Sharma is the Commonwealth Secretary-General. Mr Sharma was formerly India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. In that role he served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation.
The Secretary-General is responsible for representing The Commonwealth publicly and for the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Secretary-General is responsible for representing The Commonwealth publicly and for the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Secretary-General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General
Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba is the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General. Mrs Masire-Mwamba was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Botswana's Investment Promotion Agency.
The Deputy Secretary-General supports the Secretary-General in the management and executive direction of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) deals with serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth political values and can recommend measures for collective action.
CMAG can also consider situations of concern in member countries in a proactive, engaged and positive manner.
Its authority to suspend or even recommend to Commonwealth leaders that a member country be expelled is unparalleled by other international organisations.
The Group is convened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General and is made up of a representative of the Commonwealth’s Chair-in-Office and foreign ministers from eight countries - who serve a two-year term.
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors approves the Commonwealth Secretariat’s work plans and budgets. All member governments are represented on the Board of Governors, which meets annually.
Commonwealth Chair-in-Office
Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia is the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office.
The Chair-in-Office is the leader of the Commonwealth country that hosts a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The two-year role comes into effect at the start of the CHOGM.
The Chair-in-Office voices Commonwealth positions at high-level international forums and reinforces the Good Offices role of the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The term ‘Good Offices’ refers to conflict prevention and resolution work carried out in Commonwealth countries.
Member
Fifty-three countries are members of The Commonwealth. Our countries span Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse – they are amongst the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. Thirty-two of our members are classified as small states – countries with a population size of 1.5million people or less and larger member states that share similar characteristics with them.
All members subscribe to The Commonwealth’s values and principles outlined in The Commonwealth Charter.
Leaders of member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities. Every two years, they meet to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth and the wider world at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
All members have an equal say – regardless of size or economic stature. This ensures even the smallest member countries have a voice in shaping The Commonwealth.
