The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is an association of 56 countries working together for development, democracy and peace.

Secretary-General: @SGCommonwealth

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

I was pleased to meet with Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, to discuss the country’s priorities ahead of #CHOGM2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.

We discussed opportunities to strengthen investment and partnerships across the Commonwealth, and our technical support for Sierra Leone’s climate finance efforts.

We also reflected on @CommonwealthSec’s continued role in supporting peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone.

[Royal Commonwealth Society @RoyalCWSociety]

Meet the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026! ✍️🌍

The Royal Commonwealth Society is proud to announce the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026, the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools.

This year marked a historic milestone, with a record-breaking 53,840 entries from 54 nations. For the first time, Regional Winners were selected from each of the Commonwealth’s five regions: Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific.

🏆 Africa Regional Winner & Overall Winner
Itumeleng Mhlongo, 18, Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦
Foundation

🌏 Asia Regional Winner
Aarav Roy, 15, Ahmedabad, India 🇮🇳
The Weight of a Hand

🌎 Caribbean and Americas Regional Winner
Emma Cai, 18, Brampton, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
Between the Cracks of Silence

🌍 Europe Regional Winner
Lydia Siqing, 13, Paphos, Cyprus 🇨��
Punch the Monkey

🌊 Pacific Regional Winner
Kangwoo Moon, 15, Christchurch, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Affinity for the Fallen

This year’s winners were selected by a distinguished judging panel:
• Sir Ben Okri OBE, Booker Prize-winning novelist and poet
• Imtiaz Dharker, Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry recipient
• Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Research, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
• Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily and The King’s Mother
• Caroline Haines CC, educator and Deputy Chair, Guildhall School of Music and Drama
• Chetna Makan, cookbook author and former Great British Bake Off contestant
• Portia Subran, Trinidadian writer and visual artist

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and to every young writer who took part in The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026.

🔗 Read the winning pieces via the link in our bio.

#queenscommonwealthwritingcompetition #royalcommonwealthsociety #youngwriters #writingcompetition #commonwealth

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

🔎 What is CHOGM?

🌎 The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting brings together 56 member countries to address shared challenges and agree on common priorities.

🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda will host #CHOGM2026 from 1-4 November, where leaders will strengthen partnerships and unlock investment for a more prosperous Commonwealth.

Find out more: https://t.co/6exguqvb5E

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

It was my pleasure to receive the High Commissioner of Malta and Chair of our Board of Governors, H.E. Prof Stephen Montefort, at Marlborough House.

We had cordial and fruitful discussions on working together to advance the Commonwealth reform agenda for the benefit of our member countries.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

"I truly believe it is the Commonwealth’s moment. We intend to seize it." 🌎

Delivering her lecture at Wolfson College, @UniofOxford, @SGCommonwealth set out her vision for how our 56 member countries can turn their shared ties into practical action.

At #CHOGM2026 in Antigua and Barbuda in two weeks, Commonwealth leaders will work to build resilience, unlock opportunities and create greater prosperity for our 2.7 billion people.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

The Commonwealth’s story is written by its people. As #CHOGM2026 approaches in Antigua and Barbuda, discover the remarkable story of a man whose legacy crosses borders.

“No man is an island.” At 92, Mr Lebrecht Hesse reflects on a lifetime of service, including four decades shaping Antigua and Barbuda’s legal landscape.

Watch No Man Is an Island, a story of service, shared knowledge and lasting impact.

Read his full story: https://t.co/Wmpi6ZuX7z

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

The Commonwealth has always possessed a remarkable capacity for reinvention.

Our generation must now put our relationships to work, helping our countries become more resilient and our 2.7 billion people more prosperous. That is the ambition we will take to #CHOGM2026 this November in Antigua and Barbuda and beyond.

It was a pleasure to deliver my lecture, The Commonwealth’s Moment, at Wolfson College, @UniofOxford, today and share my vision for the Commonwealth's future.

I truly believe it is the Commonwealth's moment. We intend to seize it.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

🙋🏽‍♀️ The Commonwealth Women’s Forum will take place on the margins of #CHOGM2026, in Antigua and Barbuda.

📢 Delegates will discuss solutions from across the Commonwealth that help to advance gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls to contribute fully towards building a prosperous future.

Find out more: https://t.co/l2H2sZNJha

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

On behalf of the Commonwealth, I warmly congratulate @PaulKagame and the people of Rwanda on Rwanda ‘s 10-year agreement with Formula 1 to host the African Grand Prix.

This marks nearly 40 years since another Commonwealth African country, South Africa,  hosted the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993 marking the sport's return to the African continent for the first time since 1993.

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

Just 2 weeks to go until #CHOGM2026!

🌍 The countdown is on as Commonwealth leaders prepare to gather in Antigua and Barbuda to strengthen partnerships and shape a prosperous Commonwealth. 🇦🇬

Learn more: https://t.co/Av82gPNPxN

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

🧼 From local products to global opportunities.

🇱🇨 In Saint Lucia, we supported a capacity-building initiative for artisanal soap producers to develop the skills to become export-ready and reach new markets.

🌎 That's the Commonwealth Trade Advantage and #CHOGM2026 theme in action: Accelerating partnerships and investment to transform potential into prosperity.

Find out more: https://t.co/Sf9Nvxw2uk

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

Across the Commonwealth, businesses and communities are developing solutions that can create jobs, strengthen resilience and support sustainable growth. Many need the right investment, expertise or delivery partner to reach the next stage.

#CHOGM2026 will help connect capital and capability with opportunities across the Commonwealth.

Where could your investment make the greatest difference?

Learn more: https://t.co/jC96yoqGvw

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

🇿🇦 Officials from @SAReserveBank are at our headquarters in London this week for a workshop.

👩🏾‍💻 The Bank’s business and technical teams are working with us to explore whether Commonwealth Meridian, our debt management system, could support the future needs of its Financial Surveillance and Economic Statistics departments.

🤝 Through discussions and practical sessions, officials will identify areas for future collaboration.

Learn more about Meridian: https://t.co/VBgZGZqnUn

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

Ahead of #CHOGM2026, I look forward to delivering a lecture on ‘The Commonwealth’s Moment’ at Wolfson College, @UniofOxford.

I will speak about the Commonwealth’s role in an increasingly fragmented world and how our 56 countries can put their shared ties to work to strengthen resilience and unlock opportunities for growth and prosperity for our 2.7 billion people.

🔗 Find out more: https://t.co/j2S6jYfAJW

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

It was a pleasure to attend His Majesty The King's reception ahead of #CHOGM2026.

I look forward to working with Commonwealth leaders, partners and young people this November to deliver a programme for growth, prosperity and ambitious climate action for the benefit of our 2.7 billion people.

[Shirley Botchwey @SGCommonwealth]

The countdown to #CHOGM2026 continues!

Last week, I visited Uganda for meetings with the country's leadership, Parliament, justice and human rights institutions and young people. We discussed democracy, investment, climate action and opportunities to strengthen cooperation across the Commonwealth.

I also launched the second round of our Blue Charter Incubator, in partnership with @FPA2 and @AgendaCAF, to support innovative projects that protect our ocean and strengthen sustainable economies.

As Commonwealth leaders prepare to meet in Antigua and Barbuda, my focus remains on turning our shared ambitions into shared prosperity across the Commonwealth.

[Commonwealth Foundation @commonwealthorg]

Across the Commonwealth, people are building the future.

This November, civil society leaders, artists, activists, and thinkers will come together at the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Antigua and Barbuda. They will share ideas and experiences on some of the most pressing issues of our time: including climate justice, freedom of expression and economic inclusion.

This is a chance to contribute to something bigger. Whether joining us from Antigua and Barbuda or following online, you can be part of it: https://t.co/tKbVq3XS1n

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

🎤 One of the four forums taking place at #CHOGM2026 is the Youth Forum.

🌍 60% of the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion people are under the age of 30!

🗝️ As key partners of the Commonwealth, 300 young people will discuss sustainable development and how they can influence decisions shaping their future under the theme “Investing in Youth Agency: Co-Creating Pathways Towards Shared Prosperity.”

[The Sustainable Markets Initiative @TheSMI]

At CHOGM 2026, the SMI is proud to sponsor the “One Commonwealth, One Team” Exhibition Cricket Match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda, supported alongside @commonwealthsec @thecgf @windiescricket @KhaliliGlobal

#OneCommonwealthOneTeam #TheSMI #CHOGM2026