The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development.
The Commonwealth is home to two billion citizens of all faiths and ethnicities and includes some of the world's largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries.
Member countries come from six regions: Africa (19); Asia (8); the Americas (3); the Caribbean (10); Europe (3); and the South Pacific (11).
The association has roots as far back as the 1870´s. It was reconstituted in 1949 when Commonwealth Prime Ministers met and adopted the "London Declaration" where it was agreed all member countries would be “freely and equally associated".
The Commonwealth believes the best democracies are achieved through partnerships – of governments, business, and civil society.
Beyond the ties of history, language and institutions, members are united through the association’s values of: democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all.
HM Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth. There are three intergovernmental organisations:
- Commonwealth Secretariat - executes plans agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government through technical assistance, advice and policy development;
- Commonwealth Foundation - helps civil society organisations promote democracy, development and cultural understanding;
- Commonwealth of Learning - encourages the development and sharing of open learning and distance education.
54 independent states working together in the common interests of their citizens for development, democracy and peace.
