The new public debt management legislation passed by The Bahamas will help the country navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister of State for Finance, James Thompson.
Read news -
The Bahamas passes critical debt management law with Commonwealth Secretariat support
Main page for this area of work
An important resource to help countries maximise the sustainable development benefits from foreign investment contracts and avoid large losses has been published by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Read news -
New resource to help Commonwealth countries avoid foreign investment pitfalls
20 April 2021 to 22 April 2021
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a series of discussions on cyber and tech issues of common interest to Commonwealth member countries.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is holding a webinar to launch a new publication: Environmental, Social and Economic Development Provisions in Investment Contracts: A Resource for Government Lawyers in the Commonwealth.
Read news -
Event: Launch of new Commonwealth resource to support negotiating investment contracts
Commonwealth Law Ministers have called for increased international co-operation to enable equal access to Covid-19 vaccinations.
Read news -
Law Ministers call for international co-operation on COVID-19 vaccines
The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched an online training programme on performance management for member governments.
Read news -
Online performance management training for governments launched
Ahead of the 2021 General Elections in Uganda on 14 January, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, has called on all Ugandans, in particular political leaders, to uphold Uganda and the Commonwealth’s shared values of peace, tolerance and inclusivity.
Read news -
Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General ahead of the 2021 General Elections in Uganda
Commonwealth human rights experts held an anti-torture workshop for senior government officials from the Caribbean.
Read news -
Commonwealth event helps to strengthen Caribbean anti-torture commitments
Amid stringent health precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, voters formed orderly queues at polling stations in Ghana, as the general election got under way.
Read news -
COVID-19 precautions taken as polls open in Ghana’s general election
The first instinct of women planning to escape violence is to reach the police and justice system for protection. As they take the brave step to report, often they are met with a failing system.
Read news -
Blog: Justice system should not fail in protecting victims of gender-based violence
If you are a woman and want to work or operate on an equal footing with men, it is almost certain the laws in your country will hinder your right to do so.
Read news -
Blog: ‘Time’s up’ – Countries should reform laws that discriminate against women
Commonwealth countries are using innovation and ingenuity to counter threats of injustice and inequality from Covid-19.
Read news -
Covid-19 has spurred changes to justice systems
A key indicator of progress towards the UN’s sustainable development goal five: Gender Equality measures the number of women in leadership. In the lead up to the 2030 deadline for this target, we must see those numbers surge in the political sphere.
Read news -
Blog: More women in leadership means more sustainable and inclusive development
Members of parliament have a crucial role in countries’ response to the “human rights emergency” caused by Covid-19, the Commonwealth Secretary-General has said.
Read news -
Parliaments have key role in response to ‘human rights emergency’
A specialised course for diplomats has highlighted the Commonwealth’s essential role on the global stage, with delegates commending its timely focus on international cooperation in a post-COVID world.
Read news -
Commonwealth diplomatic course hailed as ‘timely’ and ‘illuminating’
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its fifty-seventh meeting by video conference on 19 October 2020.
Read news -
Statement on Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting
Event
This webinar series is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat effort at fostering virtual dialogues on the gendered and shadow impact of COVID-19 on women, through its Inclusive Dialogue and Women’s Political Participation Project.
Anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts by agencies in Africa have been praised by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Read news -
Secretary-General calls for ‘heroic action’ in Africa’s corruption fight
7 September 2020 to 9 September 2020
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting the 2020 Regional Conference for Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.
Commonwealth countries are at risk of losing foreign investment and trade from not having modern dispute resolution systems available to their business communities.
Read news -
Arbitration study urges countries not to lose foreign investment and trade
Commonwealth countries have shared how innovation has been the difference between keeping the wheels of justice turning, and legal systems coming to a grinding halt.
Read news -
Commonwealth tackles COVID-19 impacts on rule of law
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a series of online webinars focusing on COVID-19 and the Rule of Law.
Countries’ response to Covid-19, their long-term development and the meeting of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are all threatened by the “invisible infection” of corruption, the Commonwealth Secretary-General has warned.
Read news -
World must continue to fight the invisible infection of corruption - Secretary-General
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia takes place on 17 May. This year’s theme is 'Breaking the Silence', which seeks to highlight the voices of the most vulnerable and marginalised in society while embracing our individual identities.
Read news -
Secretary-General urges breaking the silence on International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
The Commonwealth is joining forces with law firms to give member countries expert help on mitigating the devastating effects of Covid-19 on people’s livelihoods.
Read news -
Pro bono legal support to help developing countries through Covid-19 crisis