The United Kingdom supports the work of the Commonwealth in promoting democracy, the rule of law, good governance and human rights, as well as the Commonwealth's economic and developmental work. The United Kingdom is one of the Commonwealth's 53 sovereign, independent member countries and one of its largest contributors. In 2006-07 direct contributions (subscriptions) by the FCO to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation and Joint Office for Small States (in New York) will amount to c. £4,811,806. Other government departments also contribute, including to the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), based in Vancouver, Canada. The Secretariat, Foundation and COL comprise the 'official' or inter-governmental strands of the Commonwealth. The United Kingdom is also an active supporter of the 'unofficial' Commonwealth. Many Commonwealth non-governmental organisations (civil society groups) are based in the UK.

The modern Commonwealth comprises nearly one-third of the world's countries and its combined population of 1.7 billion people accounts for a quarter of the world's inhabitants. The 53 countries represent some of the richest and some of the poorest in the world, as well as some of the biggest and the smallest. 34 of the 53 are classed as small states (mostly island states and with a population of 1.5 million or less).

Youth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

The UK National Youth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was held on 18 and 19 October 2007 at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Commonwealth Secretariat, in London.



About 60 young people between the ages of 15 – 19 from various regions across the UK took on the roles of Prime Ministers and Presidents of Commonwealth nations in debating issues affecting the Commonwealth of today. The event was co-ordinated by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Queen's Award for Innovation in Police Training and Development 2008  (PDF, 128KB)

Useful link

Commonwealth Day 2007