A briefing for journalists | 12 February 2019 Fast Facts: The Commonwealth

Overview

The Commonwealth is made up of 53 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals which promote development, democracy and peace. Our combined population is 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under. Headline facts The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes The Commonwealth’s population is 2.4 billion, of both advanced economies and developing countries. which more than 60 percent is aged 29 or under. It encompasses Africa (19 countries), Asia (7), the One in three young people aged between 15 and Caribbean and Americas (13), Europe (3), and the 29 live in Commonwealth countries: about 640 Pacific (11). million out of 1.8 billion.1 The Commonwealth’s strength lies in its shared The Commonwealth has observed 139 elections in values and diversity. Thirty-one of our members are 38 countries since 1991. small states, usually with a population well under 1.5 million, and 24 members are small island developing The combined gross domestic product of states. Commonwealth countries is estimated at US$10.4 trillion in 2017 and predicted to reach US$13 The Pacific nation of is the smallest trillion in 2020.2 Commonwealth member country with a population of Bilateral costs for trading partners in about 13,000. The most populous member country is Commonwealth countries are on average 19 with over 1.3 billion people. percent less than between those in non-member 3 countries. A real Commonwealth Advantage. Our organisations Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth: New Delhi, Mumbai, Nairobi, Kuala The Commonwealth is connected by an active Lumpur, Bangalore, Johannesburg, Kolkata, Cape network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil Town, Chennai and Dhaka.4 society and professional organisations, including: Many small and developing Commonwealth o The – supporting countries are among those with the lowest member states ecological footprints worldwide.5 The – supporting o Commonwealth countries are among the highest civil society performing in the Ibrahim Index of African The – promoting o Governance, and make up 7 of the top 10 nations.6 distance learning and education o The Federation – In Sub-Saharan Africa, Commonwealth countries promoting sports development. The 2022 make up 7 of the top 10 highest performing Commonwealth Games will be held on 27 July countries for gender equality.7 – 7 August 2022 in Birmingham, United

Kingdom. Find out more: thecommonwealth.org/organisations

1 Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Development Index 2016 5 , , , , , , 2 Commonwealth Secretariat calculations using International India, , , , and in Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook top 30 for lowest footprint per capita WWF - Happy Planet Index 3 The Commonwealth in the Unfolding Global Trade Landscape - 6 The Commonwealth scores 60.0 next to an average Africa score of Commonwealth Trade Review 2015 50.0. Top ranked Commonwealth countries are , 4 Cities in low- and middle- income countries predicted to become , , , , and Rwanda global leaders in terms of business activity, human capital and Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2016 innovation in 10-20 years AT Kearney Emerging Cities Outlook 2014 7 Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana and Global Gender Gap Report 2016

A briefing for journalists Fast Facts: The Commonwealth

Our values History and membership We, the People of the Commonwealth “Recognising that in an era of changing economic The modern Commonwealth was formed on 26 April circumstances and uncertainty, new trade and 1949 when the leaders of , , India, , Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and economic patterns, unprecedented threats to peace and security, and a surge in popular the adopted the demands for democracy, human rights and Declaration. The declaration defined the Commonwealth as a “free association” of broadened economic opportunities, the potential independent member countries. of and need for the Commonwealth – as a compelling force for good and as an effective All members have an equal say, regardless of their network for co-operation and for promoting size or economic stature. This ensures that even the development – has never been greater.” smallest countries have a voice in shaping the Commonwealth. In the past two decades, countries thecommonwealth.org/charter which have joined include Mozambique, Cameroon and Rwanda.

The Gambia re-joined in February 2018.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated by young people, Commonwealth Charter schools, communities and civil society organisations The Commonwealth’s principles and values have been on the second Monday in March every year. It is an agreed over the years by our Heads of Government opportunity to promote understanding on and articulated in communiqués such as the Harare Commonwealth values. Declaration and the Declaration. In 2019, Commonwealth Day will be marked on Monday 11 March. On 14 December 2012, leaders agreed the Commonwealth Charter which sets out 16 core shared principles to which all member countries have committed. The Charter covers: A Connected Commonwealth Article 1. Democracy The Commonwealth’s annual theme for 2019 is Article 2. Human Rights A Connected Commonwealth Article 3. International Peace and Security

Article 4. Tolerance, Respect and Understanding Building upon the 2018 theme of ‘Towards a Article 5. Freedom of Expression Common Future', this year’s theme encourages Article 6. Separation of Powers collaboration among the people, governments and Article 7. Rule of Law institutions of the Commonwealth to protect Article 8. Good Governance natural resources and promote inclusive economic Article 9. Sustainable Development empowerment so that all people, particularly Article 10. Protecting the Environment women, young people and marginalised Article 11. Health, Education, Food and Shelter communities, can benefit equally. Article 12. Gender Equality Article 13. Young People in the Commonwealth Article 14. The Needs of Small States 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the formation Article 15. The Needs of Vulnerable States of the Commonwealth, with old ties and new links Article 16. The Role of Civil Society enabling cooperation towards social, political and economic development which is both inclusive and sustainable.

A briefing for journalists Fast Facts: The Commonwealth

Our structure Heads of Government summit Every two years the leaders of our 53 countries gather for the Commonwealth Heads of Government The Head of the Commonwealth is Queen Elizabeth II. Meeting (CHOGM). A major global event, this The Queen, who has fulfilled her symbolic role as intergovernmental summit is an opportunity for Heads Head for over 60 years, is also head of state of to address shared challenges and set new priorities. sixteen Commonwealth countries; other member Decisions are reached by consensus with statements countries are either republics or have their own reflecting the views of all those present. monarchy. Responsibility for hosting the summit is shared by member countries. The next Heads of Government Meeting will be hosted by Rwanda in 2020. Past Commonwealth Secretary-General meetings were in United Kingdom (2018), (2015), Sri Lanka (2013), Australia (2011), Trinidad The Commonwealth Secretary-General promotes and and Tobago (2009). protects the Commonwealth’s fundamental values, represents the Commonwealth globally, and manages the Commonwealth Secretariat. She or he is appointed by leaders and can serve a maximum of Ministerial meetings two four-year terms. Government ministers responsible for foreign affairs, Commonwealth Secretary-General , finance, law, youth development, women’s affairs, who was born in , became Secretary-General health and education meet regularly to discuss issues on 1 April 2016 having been appointed by of shared concern and agree areas for action. Commonwealth Heads of Government at their Policy priorities agreed at Commonwealth meetings meeting in Malta in November 2015. will typically be promoted by member governments at other international forums and intergovernmental organisations, such as the African Union and the The Commonwealth Secretariat Caribbean Community. The Commonwealth Secretariat works with governments to deliver on priorities agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government. We bring Ministerial Action Group policy-makers together and provide guidance and The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group deals technical assistance to member countries. with serious or persistent violations of the Based at in London, the Commonwealth’s shared principles. It is made up of a Secretariat is staffed by professionals from across the rotating group of foreign ministers from nine Commonwealth. Our programme work encompasses countries. areas such as democracy, rule of law, human rights, The Group engages proactively and constructively governance, economic and social development, small with countries where Commonwealth values are at states and youth development. risk. It meets to assess the nature of any The Commonwealth Secretariat, alongside the contraventions and works with countries to agree on Secretary-General, represents the interests of a course of action to restore democracy and member countries, especially small and developing constitutional rule. states who can sometimes be overshadowed by Suspension is one of the actions that can be taken by larger, more powerful countries. the Group. This means that a country is prevented In 2015 the Commonwealth Secretariat celebrated its from taking part in Commonwealth activities and it 50th anniversary, having been established in 1965. will no longer be eligible for technical assistance. No country has ever been expelled from the Commonwealth.