The Commonwealth Secretariat provides guidance on policy making, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. It supports governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.
OUR STORY
Most of the countries in the Commonwealth were once governed by Britain as part of the British Empire. After they became independent many became part of a family where they could work together and help each other. This is our story.
1931
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa were the first countries to join Britain in the Commonwealth of Nations.
1947
When India joined after its long struggle for independence, the modern Commonwealth was born.
1957
Ghana was the first of many African countries to join. Some had fought wars for their freedom yet most wanted to be part of the Commonwealth.
1961
South Africa’s racist laws led to its leaving the Commonwealth until, in 1994, a democratic South Africa was allowed to return.
1965
The Commonwealth Secretariat in Marlborough House, London became our official home. The people who work here come from all over the world.
1973
The Commonwealth Youth Programme was created to help all of our young people.
1990
Namibia was the first country that was never governed by Britain to join the Commonwealth – Cameroon and Mozambique followed shortly after.
2000
Our first Youth Games took place with young athletes competing against and inspiring each other.
2009
We celebrated our 60th anniversary and welcomed Rwanda, our latest member, to the Commonwealth.
2016
We are now a family of 54 countries from every part of the world. We have different cultures, languages and faiths but we work together with one purpose.
2018
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was last held in London, United Kingdom during April 2018.
2020
Commonwealth Day is celebrated on Monday, 9 March. The theme is 'Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming'.
2021
Commonwealth Day 2021 is celebrated on 8 March and will be centred around the same theme as last year, which is also the theme for the forthcoming 2021 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Each year, there is usually a service held at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no service will be held this year.
