The Commonwealth
Key Facts
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal member states. Although the Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire, today any country can join the Commonwealth family of nations, which share goals of development, democracy, and peace amongst other values and principles as expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.
The organisation is governed by the Board of Governors which consists of all member states governments. Guided by the Charter, member states shape the processes and priorities of the Commonwealth mandate. The main role of the Board of Governors, which usually meets once a year, is to approve the Secretariat's strategic plans, work programs, and budgets.
56 independent countries make up the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Member States
There are 56 member states, literature and correct list of countries/spellings here:
Regions
Membership of the Commonwealth spans 5 regions: Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Americas, Europe, and Pacific.
Africa
Asia
Caribbean and Americas
Europe
Pacific
Head of the Commonwealth
His Majesty King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth as chosen by Commonwealth leaders. His role is an important symbolic one, it has no maximum fixed term, it is not hereditary, and future Heads will be chosen by Commonwealth leaders.
The growth and vibrancy of the modern Commonwealth is a credit to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and testament to her dedication, wisdom and leadership. In Her Majesty’s final Commonwealth Day message, she described our family of nations as “a modern, vibrant and connected Commonwealth that combines a wealth of history and tradition with the great social, cultural and technological advances of our time. That the Commonwealth stands ever taller is a credit to all who have been involved.”
Commonwealth Organisations
The Commonwealth is often described as a 'family' of nations and peoples. At the heart of this family are three intergovernmental organisations:
- The Commonwealth Secretariat Is the intergovernmental organisation which supports member countries and co-ordinates Commonwealth activities.
- The Commonwealth Foundation supports people's participation in democracy and development.
- The Commonwealth of Learning promotes open learning and distance education.
The international headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation are located in Marlborough House on Pall Mall in London.
The Commonwealth is supported by a network of accredited organisations working in specialist areas. Organisations accredited to the Commonwealth support the delivery of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s mandate through their invaluable programmes with physical presence in Commonwealth countries. There are currently 89 Commonwealth Accredited Organisations.