Shirley Botchwey

7th Secretary-General of @CommonwealthSec

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

We are deeply honoured that His Majesty The King, Head of the Commonwealth, and Her Majesty The Queen will join us at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda this November. 🇦🇬

I look forward to welcoming Their Majesties with PM @GastonBrowne to #CHOGM2026, as our Commonwealth family comes together to strengthen partnerships and build a more prosperous future for our 2.7 billion people.

@RoyalFamily @ABHCUK

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

🇦🇬🇧🇸🇬🇾 The King and Queen will undertake an Autumn Tour from Tuesday, 27th October to Wednesday, 4th November 2026.

This will include Their Majesties’ attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I was pleased to welcome Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, @MIshaqDar50, to Marlborough House for a constructive discussion on matters of mutual interest.

Pakistan is a valued member of the Commonwealth, and we remain committed to working together to strengthen cooperation and advance Commonwealth values for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and across the Commonwealth.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

The Commonwealth expresses concern at the post-election situation in Zambia and urges full respect for the rights of all persons and for the rule of law, in line with the values of the Commonwealth Charter.

Read the Secretary-General's full statement: https://t.co/GkAsanuEqV

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I was honoured to meet with His Excellency @Ndaba_Gaolathe, Vice-President and Minister of Finance of Botswana.

We had a productive discussion on Botswana’s recent national development plan, economic and diversification ambitions and how @CommonwealthSec can support efforts to unlock new opportunities for investment and sustainable economic growth.

Botswana is a treasured member of our Commonwealth family, and I look forward to working together to advance our shared trade and investment agenda.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I extend my best wishes to the people of Zambia as they exercise one of democracy’s most enduring pillars, the right to choose their leaders through the ballot.

I wish all Zambians a peaceful, orderly and inclusive electoral process.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

On #InternationalYouthDay, I celebrate the vision, leadership and innovation of young people across our Commonwealth.

As we look ahead to #CHOGM2026 and the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum, I commend the 23 young leaders on the International Taskforce who are helping shape a forum where youth voices will be at the heart of our Commonwealth resilience building and shared prosperity agenda.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

🌍 Happy #InternationalYouthDay!

🇦🇬 As we count down to #CHOGM2026, the Commonwealth Youth Forum International Taskforce is helping deliver the Youth Forum taking place in Antigua and Barbuda this November.

💬 Hear from Taskforce members on their hopes for CHOGM and the action they want to see for young people across the Commonwealth.

🔗 https://t.co/6exguqvb5E

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

Leadership must not only be visible at the margins. It must shape the centre.

At #CHOGM2026, we have an opportunity to put that principle into practice by ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and young people help shape a wider Commonwealth vision of resilience and shared prosperity, encompassing democracy and human rights, climate action, and inclusive and sustainable growth.

Their knowledge, experience and leadership belong wherever decisions about our shared future are made.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

Across the Commonwealth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities are helping to build resilient societies and shared prosperity.

Their knowledge and leadership strengthen democracy, advance human rights and contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth. They also play a vital role in protecting our planet, from Guyana’s Iwokrama Forest to climate-vulnerable communities in Fiji and Tuvalu.

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we reaffirm the enduring value of Indigenous knowledge systems, our commitment to equal rights, greater opportunity and meaningful inclusion.

Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and young people are not simply affected by the challenges we face. They are leaders and partners whose experience, ideas and agency must help shape Commonwealth decisions and action.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

The Commonwealth Youth Programme remains central to our vision of a more resilient Commonwealth.

I am encouraged by ministers' endorsement of @ComSecYouth's new Strategic Framework 2026-2030, which will help ensure we equip young people with the leadership, skills and opportunities they need to shape stronger communities and a more prosperous future.

Read more: https://t.co/3SQmAVCFGW

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are partners in building the Commonwealth today.

The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Task Force has endorsed a new strategic framework to guide the Commonwealth Youth Programme, strengthening opportunities for youth leadership, skills development, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion across our 56 member countries.

Aligned with the our Strategic Plan 2025–2030, the framework will help ensure young people remain at the centre of building democratic, economic and environmental resilience.

Read more: https://t.co/eOXziztb0M

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

It was a pleasure to meet Pakistan's new High Commissioner, H.E. Tipu Usman.

We discussed deepening our partnership on climate resilience and trade and investment, and I thanked him for Pakistan's leadership on youth opportunity in the Commonwealth.

We also discussed the momentum towards #CHOGM2026 and building a more prosperous Commonwealth.

I wish @TipuUsman every success in his new role.

[Pakistan High Commission London @PakistaninUK]

High Commissioner Tipu Usman @Tipuusman made his introductory call on Commonwealth Secretary-General @AyorkorBotchwey. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Commonwealth as a founding member, and discussed expanding cooperation, including on disaster resilience, youth engagement, banking connectivity, and institutional partnerships.

The High Commissioner assured the Secretary-General of his full cooperation in advancing her vision to make the Commonwealth a fit-for-purpose organisation. He also thanked the Secretary-General for her continued support to #Pakistan to ensure a more deeper and meaningful collaboration with the Secretariat @commonwealthsec, across its various work streams.

@GovtofPakistan
@ForeignOfficePk
@PkPublicDiplo
@epwing_official
@MoIB_Official
@PTVNewsOfficial
@appcsocialmedia
@RadioPakistan
@PakTVGlobal
@PakistanTVcom
@PID_Gov

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I'm delighted that US$2.89 million in climate finance has been approved to support climate adaptation in Fiji’s Rewa Delta.

I am proud of the work of our Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which stands alongside our member countries to turn their climate related priorities into much-needed projects.

This investment will help communities withstand the impacts of climate change through resilient infrastructure, ecosystem restoration and stronger local capacity.

Read more about it here: https://t.co/LqbrqboGTk

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

US$2.89 million in climate finance has been approved to strengthen climate resilience in Fiji’s Rewa Delta. 🇫🇯

Developed with support from the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, the project will help communities respond to flooding, saltwater intrusion and growing pressures on livelihoods and local ecosystems.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/0wyg7XewBW

🤝 @Fiji_MFAET @FijiGovernment @meccfiji @theGEF @UNDP @DeepaPullani

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I was pleased to meet with Vivek Aswani, Chief Commercial Officer of Rimm Sustainability, for a valuable discussion on how technology, data and innovation can help turn sustainability ambitions into measurable action. We exchanged ideas on the potential of trade and investment, particularly impact investment and diaspora finance, to accelerate development.

We also explored potential partnerships for mobilising investment, strengthening sustainability reporting and supporting a prosperous Commonwealth.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

As #Glasgow2026 draws to a close, I congratulate every Commonwealth athlete who competed with such talent, determination and sportsmanship.

You have shown our Commonwealth at its best – united by friendship, inclusion, respect and support for one another.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

#Glasgow2026 brought the Commonwealth together through sporting excellence while advancing inclusion, opportunity and cooperation.

As the Games conclude, the focus now turns to building on that momentum and ensuring sport continues to strengthen communities across the Commonwealth.

Read the highlights: https://t.co/zxQQY6NLhd

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had an extraordinary belief in the Commonwealth as a family of nations, united by friendship and shared purpose.

I invite people across the Commonwealth to contribute their memories to the Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial, helping to preserve the personal connections behind her remarkable life and legacy.
🔗 https://t.co/mPRXNIitEv

@cabinetofficeuk @FCDOGovUK

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I was pleased to welcome His Excellency Mr Anthony Bryan Severin, High Commissioner of Saint Lucia to the United Kingdom.

We discussed Saint Lucia’s priorities and looked ahead to #CHOGM2026, including the opportunity it offers to advance the interests of small states and the wider Caribbean.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

History made for Rwanda at #Glasgow2026! 🥉🇷🇼

Florence Niyonkuru claimed bronze in the women’s 10,000m, securing Rwanda’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal.

Congratulations to Florence and Team Rwanda!

📸 @Glasgow_2026

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

Today, we mark 100 days until #CHOGM2026. 🇦🇬

Hosted by Antigua and Barbuda, CHOGM will bring leaders together at a defining moment for our Commonwealth and our world.

I look forward to working with member countries and partners to deliver practical solutions that positively change the lives of our 2.7 billion people.

Find out more here: https://t.co/vEtqk0P2EF

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

⏳ 100 days to #CHOGM2026!

🇦🇬 This November leaders from across our 56 member countries will meet in Antigua and Barbuda to shape the Commonwealth's future and agree collective action on shared priorities.

🎥 Watch our explainer to find out more.

🔗 https://t.co/ST7a6AJtDJ

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

Delighted to have joined Their Majesties The King and Queen and the UK Prime Minister, @AndyBurnham, at the Opening Ceremony of #Glasgow2026.

I look forward to deepening the UK-Commonwealth partnership in the spirit that defines our Commonwealth family and working together to create positive change for our 2.7 billion people.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

What an incredible display at the #Glasgow2026 Opening Ceremony!

I was inspired by the vibrancy, energy and spirit of our Commonwealth family.

As athletes and fans come together from across the Commonwealth, we celebrate more than sport - we celebrate friendship, unity and the values that bind us together.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

Sport is one of the most powerful investments we can make in healthier, fairer and more prosperous communities.

At the opening of #CSMM in Glasgow, I called on ministers to unlock the full potential of sport for the benefit of our 2.7 billion people.

Together, we have an opportunity to ensure sport is recognised not simply as competition, but as a catalyst for inclusion and sustainable development across the Commonwealth.