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Fast Facts: the Commonwealth A briefing for journalists | 30 October 2015 Fast Facts: The Commonwealth Overview Headline facts The Commonwealth is made up of 53 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals The Commonwealth has observed more than 130 which promote development, democracy and peace. elections in 36 countries since 1980. Our combined population is 2.2 billion, of which Since 1991, 12 Commonwealth member countries more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under. have moved to multi-party democracy from military or one-party rule.1 The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. The combined gross domestic product of It encompasses Africa (18 countries), Asia (8), the Commonwealth member countries is predicted to Caribbean and Americas (13), Europe (3), and the reach US$14 trillion by 2020.2 Pacific (11). Trade between Commonwealth countries is The Commonwealth’s strength lies in its shared estimated at over $680 billion today and projected values and diversity. Thirty-one of our members are to surpass $1 trillion by 2020.3 small states, usually with a population well under 1.5 Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the million, and 25 members are small island developing Commonwealth: New Delhi, Mumbai, Nairobi, Kuala states. Lumpur, Bangalore, Johannesburg, Kolkata, Cape 4 The Pacific nation of Nauru is the smallest Town, Chennai and Dhaka. Commonwealth member country with a population of In Sub-Saharan Africa, eight of the top 10 countries about 10,000. The most populous member country is perceived to have the lowest levels of corruption India with over 1.2 billion people. are Commonwealth members.5 Eight of the top 10 countries for gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa are Commonwealth countries.6 Our organisations Seven of the top 10 nations in the Ibrahim Index of The Commonwealth is connected by an active African Governance are Commonwealth members.7 network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society and professional organisations, including: Twenty-five Commonwealth countries have high or very high human development according to the o The Commonwealth Secretariat – supporting inequality-adjusted Human Development Index.8 member states o The Commonwealth Foundation – supporting Many small and developing Commonwealth civil society countries are among those with the lowest 9 o The Commonwealth of Learning – promoting ecological footprints worldwide. distance learning and education Five of the best performing 15 countries in the o The Commonwealth Games Federation – Youth Development Index are Commonwealth promoting sports development members.10 thecommonwealth.org/organisations 1 6 Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Tanzania and Botswana Global Gender Gap Report 2014 2 Commonwealth Secretariat calculations using International 7 Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Seychelles, Ghana, Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook April 2015 and Lesotho Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2015 3 A Rising Commonwealth Tide: Emerging Dynamics of Intra- 8 Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, Commonwealth Trade and Investment May 2015 Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, and Malta UNDP Inequality-adjusted 4 Cities in low- and middle- income countries predicted to become Human Development Index December 2014 global leaders in terms of business activity, human capital and 9 Bangladesh, Rwanda, Pakistan, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, innovation in 10-20 years AT Kearney Emerging Cities Outlook 2014 India, Kenya, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Tanzania in 5 Botswana, Seychelles, Mauritius, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, top 30 for lowest footprint per capita WWF/Happy Planet Index Ghana and South Africa - Transparency International Corruption 10 Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Malta and United Kingdom Perceptions Index 2014 Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Development Index 2013 A briefing for journalists | 30 October 2015 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 is 66 years-old, having been formed on 26 April 1949 when the leaders of circumstances and uncertainty, new trade and Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, economic patterns, unprecedented threats to peace and security, and a surge in popular South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom demands for democracy, human rights and adopted the London 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. Commonwealth Day Commonwealth Charter Commonwealth Day is celebrated by young people, The Commonwealth’s principles and values have been schools, communities and civil society organisations agreed over the years by our Heads of Government on the second Monday in March every year. It is an and articulated in communiqués such as the Harare opportunity to promote understanding on Declaration and the Singapore Declaration. Commonwealth values. On 14 December 2012, leaders agreed the In 2016, Commonwealth Day will be marked on 14 Commonwealth Charter which sets out 16 core March. shared principles to which all member countries have committed. The charter covers: Article 1. Democracy A Young Commonwealth Article 2. Human rights Article 3. International peace and security The Commonwealth’s annual theme for 2015 is Article 4. Tolerance, respect and understanding ‘A Young Commonwealth’. Article 5. Freedom of Expression Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Article 6. Separation of Powers Sharma said: "A Young Commonwealth recognises Article 7. Rule of Law the capacity, contribution and potential of young Article 8. Good Governance people, who play a vital role at the heart of Article 9. Sustainable Development sustainable development and democracy.” Article 10. Protecting the Environment Article 11. Health, Education, Food and Shelter "The Commonwealth is also a family of dynamic Article 12. Gender Equality countries at the forefront of innovation, growth Article 13. Young People in the Commonwealth and contributing global value. As a diverse and Article 14. The Needs of Small States increasingly connected global network, we bring Article 15. The Needs of Vulnerable States fresh perspectives and new ideas.” Article 16. The Role of Civil Society 2 A briefing for journalists | 30 October 2015 Fast Facts: The Commonwealth Our structure Head of the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit The Head of the Commonwealth is Queen Elizabeth II. Every two years the leaders of our 53 countries The Queen, who has fulfilled her symbolic role as gather for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Head for over 60 years, is also head of state of Meeting (CHOGM). A major global event, this sixteen Commonwealth countries; other member intergovernmental summit is an opportunity for Heads countries are either republics or have their own to address shared challenges and set new priorities. monarchy. Decisions are reached by consensus with statements reflecting the views of all those present. Responsibility for hosting the summit is shared by Commonwealth Secretary-General member countries. CHOGM 2015 is hosted by the Government of Malta. Recent meetings were in: Sri The Commonwealth Secretary-General promotes and Lanka (2013), Australia (2011), Trinidad and Tobago protects the Commonwealth’s fundamental values, (2009) and Uganda (2007). represents the Commonwealth globally, and manages the Commonwealth Secretariat. She or he is appointed by leaders and can serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Ministerial meetings Kamalesh Sharma, an Indian national, became Government ministers responsible for foreign affairs, Secretary-General on 1 April 2008 having been finance, law, youth development, women’s affairs, appointed by Heads of Government at their meeting health and education meet regularly to discuss issues in Uganda in November 2007. The next Secretary- of shared concern and agree areas for action. General will be appointed at the Commonwealth Policy priorities agreed at Commonwealth meetings Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in will typically be promoted by member governments November 2015, and will begin work on 1 April 2016. at other international forums and intergovernmental organisations, such as the African Union and the Caribbean Community. The Commonwealth Secretariat The Commonwealth Secretariat works with governments to deliver on priorities agreed by Ministerial Action Group Commonwealth Heads of Government. We bring The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group deals policy-makers together and provide guidance and with serious or persistent violations of the technical assistance to member countries. Commonwealth’s shared principles. It is made up of a Based at Marlborough House in London, the rotating group of foreign ministers from nine Secretariat is staffed by professionals from across the
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