The Commonwealth

54 Member Countries

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development. The world’s largest and smallest, richest and poorest countries make up the Commonwealth and are home to two billion citizens of all faiths and ethnicities – over half of whom are 25 or under. Member countries span six continents and oceans from Africa (19) to Asia (8), the Americas (2), the Caribbean (12), Europe (3) and the South Pacific (10).

The Commonwealth, with roots as far back as the 1870s, believes that the best democracies are achieved through partnerships – of governments, business, and civil society. This unique association was reconstituted in 1949 when Commonwealth Prime Ministers met and adopted what has become known as the ‘London Declaration’ where it was agreed all member countries would be “freely and equally associated.” Commonwealth countries work together in a spirit of co-operation, partnership and understanding. This openness and flexibility are integral to the Commonwealth's effectiveness. Emphasis on equality has helped it play leading roles in decolonisation, combating racism and advancing sustainable development in poor countries.

The most recent member is Rwanda - which was admitted at the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. Cameroon and Mozambique were the most recent members before that in 1995, with Mozambique being the first country to join with no historical or administrative association with another Commonwealth country.

Since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has been Head of the Commonwealth. The position is symbolic and representative of the free association of members, though 16 members of the Commonwealth, known as the Commonwealth Realms, recognise Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state.

Every two years a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held, at locations throughout the Commonwealth. The latest CHOGM was held in November 2009 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; the next meeting will be held in 2011 in Australia.

As well as Heads of Government meetings, ministers responsible for education, environment, civil society, finance, foreign affairs, gender affairs, health law, tourism and youth also meet regularly. This ensures that Commonwealth policies and programmes represent views of the members and gives governments a better understanding of each other’s goals in an increasingly globalised world.

Citizen-to-citizen links are as important to the Commonwealth as the contacts between member governments. The Commonwealth’s worldwide network of around 90 professional and advocacy organisations, most of which bear its name, continues to grow with a third of these based outside the UK. They work at local, national, regional or international levels and play crucial roles in policy, political or social aspects of Commonwealth life.