The Commonwealth

At #Kwibuka32 in London, attendees heard moving reflections from testimony giver Marie Rose Rurangirwa, alongside Hon. Shirley Botchwey (@SGCommonwealth), Dr. Michael Gray, and High Commissioner @BusingyeJohns. Their voices strengthened our shared commitment to remembrance!

In collaboration with St Kitts and Nevis, we delivered a National E-Commerce Legislative Gap Analysis Validation Workshop to modernise laws for online business, electronic transactions and digital services, strengthening legal and policy frameworks for businesses. Read more 👇 thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwea…

🎥 "India is a committed partner of the Commonwealth... it is a model of possibility and progress." Watch @SGCommonwealth speak to @ANI on India's role in shaping the future of the Commonwealth 👇 @HCI_London

#WATCH | London, UK: On Commonwealth's role amid West Asia Crisis, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey says, "... It is the Age of insecurity, conflicts, climate shocks, economic turmoil, declining public trust, you name it. And so for the Commonwealth, we see this as an opportunity, and we believe that we must use the platform to deliver for all our people. And so for me, I come in at a momentous time, and I believe that it's important that our initiatives impact resilience building. We've chosen three areas only in the areas of building democratic resilience, which is the foundation, because without democracy, you really can't achieve much. Where things are predictable, you have strong institutions, and you can predict what will happen in the next months or years in any country. And then the second one is looking at building economic resilience for our 56 countries. And this for us is extremely important because we know that there's a decline even in aid and in assistance. And so for us, 56 countries must work together in terms of increasing trade and investment..."

This week, our Human Rights Team, together with @SeychellesFAD and @SeychellesUNOG, are hosting a workshop in Seychelles to support preparations for the country’s fourth @UN Universal Periodic Review in May 2026. This engagement will strengthen how Seychelles implements its human rights commitments under international law and the Constitution. Read more 👉 bit.ly/4dyesf9

The Regional Forum on SIDS Readiness for NDC Implementation convened in Mauritius to accelerate the implementation of NDCs under the Paris Agreement. We co-hosted the forum with @NDCPartnership and GIZ to share expertise on sustainable solutions and innovative financing approaches. Read more: bit.ly/4ck5Mqp #CommonwealthCFAH #CommonwealthClimate

“The world failed Rwanda. The promise of ‘never again,’ born from the ashes of past atrocities, was not upheld. We must acknowledge this failure with humility and resolve, for remembrance without honesty cannot lead to prevention.” @SGCommonwealth #Kwibuka32 London. 🇷🇼🇬🇧🕯️

From climate vulnerability to green finance leadership: Guyana’s carbon market story shows how nature can unlock opportunities for climate finance. On 16 April, join experts from the Caribbean to discuss how green finance can support NDC implementation while safeguarding indigenous rights and knowledge. Register now 👉 bit.ly/4vdMHip

Last month, we partnered with @MoJCA_Eswatini to host a workshop for 40 government & civil society representatives. The workshop aimed to enhance how Eswatini implements its human rights commitments under @UN Universal Periodic Review & treaty body system to advance protections for all.

@Unity_MemoryRw @RwandaMFA @KwibukaRwanda @HCSHead We heard keynote remarks from Hon. Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth, who emphasized the responsibility of the international community to remember the genocide against the Tutsi and confront denial and distortion wherever they arise. #Kwibuka32 London. 🇷🇼🇬🇧🕯️

Today, I joined a commemoration in London honouring the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It was a moment to remember more than one million innocent lives lost, and to stand in solidarity with survivors whose courage continues to inspire us all. Rwanda offers the world a powerful testament to human resilience and renewal. #Kwibuka32 @BusingyeJohns

Last month, our Human Rights team briefed @UNHumanRights LDC/SIDS Trust Fund delegates from Mauritius, Mozambique, and Trinidad and Tobago attending #HRC61. Held at the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva, the session outlined our support available to help LDC & SIDS strengthen engagement with the UN human rights system. #CommonwealthHRU

On #WorldHealthDay, we reaffirm our commitment to a healthier future for the Commonwealth. 🩺🌍 In May, health ministers, senior officials & partners will meet at the first Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum to shape our cancer agenda. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3PXXIUM #CommonwealthHealth

Today, we commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. We honour the lives lost and the strength of survivors. #Kwibuka32 reminds us of our shared responsibility to uphold peace and ensure such atrocities are never repeated.

Sport has the potential to break barriers and build bridges 🌍 Ahead of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, we brought together sports leaders, athletes and young people to explore how inclusive sport can advance equality and build stronger communities across the Commonwealth. Read more 🔗 bit.ly/4cdh5BT #IDSDP2026 @thecgf

It was a pleasure to sit down with @ChannelsTV to reflect on my first year as Secretary-General. The last year has reaffirmed my belief that together we can unlock shared prosperity across our unique family of nations. Watch the interview here: bit.ly/3OgvN1O

"This is an opportunity for the Commonwealth... to unlock prosperity and make the wealth common." @SGCommonwealth, Hon Shirley Botchwey, recently spoke to @ChannelsTV about her first year in office, delivering our new Strategic Plan & the Commonwealth's role in a changing world. 📺 Watch the full interview: bit.ly/3OgvN1O

It was a pleasure to welcome Canada’s new High Commissioner to the UK, Hon @BillBlair. I congratulated him on his appointment and commended Canada’s strong engagement in the Commonwealth. I look forward to strengthening our partnership to advance multilateralism & development cooperation.

Canada is building global partnerships that matter. New HC @BillBlair met with @commonwealthsec Sec. Gen. Shirley Botchwey this week to continue forging deeper partnerships with the Commonwealth, as Canada charts its path forward in this changing world.