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THE COMMONWEALTH

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 Role of the Secretary-General

The Commonwealth Secretary-General is responsible for promoting and protecting the Commonwealth’s values, representing the Commonwealth publicly, the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC is the sixth and current Commonwealth Secretary-General since 2016.

Promote and protect Commonwealth values

Former Secretaries-General

Kamalesh Sharma

India
2008-2016

Don McKinnon

New Zealand
2000-2008

Chief Emeka Anyaoku

Nigeria
1990-2000

Sir Shridath "Sonny" Ramphal

Guyana
1975-1990

Arnold Smith

Canada
1965-1975

About Joshua Phoho Setipa

Growing up within my country’s foreign service, I have experienced the value and advantages that come with Commonwealth membership and the paramount importance of honouring the democratic commitments enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.