The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations. Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth’s aims of development, democracy and peace. It publishes authoritative, evidence-based research and knowledge products for policymakers, academics, professionals and wider publics across the world. Our areas of focus and expertise include small and developing states; environment and climate change; democracy, law and government; and social issues concerning young people, gender, health and education.

Assessment of Debt Restructuring Operations in Commonwealth Small States

Michele Robinson

This paper highlights the concerns of Commonwealth small states about unsustainable debt burdens and the emerging challenges to their overall debt sustainability. It offers key lessons learned from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Seychelles.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291354
  • Publication Date: May 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Sri Lanka Presidential Election, 8 January 2015

These were important elections in Sri Lanka as an incumbent president was seeking an unprecedented third term in office under a recent constitutional amendment. The group found that the outcome election reflected the will of the people of Sri Lanka, but the electoral contest did not comply with all the key benchmarks for democratic elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291385
  • Publication Date: Apr 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Small States in the Multilateral Trading System

Teddy Y. Soobramanien

This study provides a fresh perspective on how measures can be taken to enhance the participation of small states and least developed countries (LDCs) in the multilateral trading system. It contributes to the ongoing general debate about reforming the World Trade Organization and global trade governance.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291392
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Small States

This annual collection of key economic and statistical data is essential reading for economists, planners and policy-makers working on issues of concern to small states. This volume covers overseas development assistance and Post-2015 financing for development in small states; and contains 17 tables covering development indicators.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291439
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Achieving a Resilient Future for Small States

Denny Lewis-Bynoe

Written by influential researchers and drawing on a wide cross-section of regional stakeholders and thought leaders, the study contains an assessment of the main challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean, scenario modelling of where it could be by 2050, and a vision for the region with sector specific goals of how to get there.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291460
  • Publication Date: Apr 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Election Management

Election Management: A Compendium of Commonwealth Good Practice is a guide for policy-makers and EMBs to the democratic values, principles and practices of the Commonwealth. It will assist governments, political parties and civil society to understand the role, functions and responsibilities of those tasked with delivering credible elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291477
  • Publication Date: Aug 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Achieving the Istanbul Programme of Action by 2020

Achieving the Istanbul Programme of Action by 2020 focuses on four specific themes: structural transformation and export diversification in the LDCs; prospects of graduation of countries from the LDC group; implications of the 2030 Agenda in view of LDC concerns; and new challenges facing LDCs in their pursuit for achieving SDGs.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291484
  • Publication Date: Aug 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Common Law Legal Systems Model Legislative Provisions on Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing, Preventive Measures and Proceeds of Crime

The Common Law Legal Systems Model Legislative Provisions aims to enable Commonwealth countries to evaluate measures that can be incorporated into domestic law to prevent, detect, and effectively sanction money laundering and terrorism financing and to recover the proceeds of crime.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291507
  • Publication Date: Aug 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Uganda General Elections, 18 February 2016

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Uganda presidential election held on 18 February 2016, chaired by former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. The group concluded that Uganda has fallen well short of meeting many of the key democratic benchmarks for the conduct of credible elections.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291538
  • Publication Date: Jul 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Capture Fisheries

This third volume in the Commonwealth Blue Economy Series, Capture Fisheries, describes challenges in managing capture fisheries, and strategies and activities that could be undertaken by SIDS to make improvements. Includes case studies illustrating positive actions that have been taken by SIDS and their outcomes.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291545
  • Publication Date: Sep 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Marine Renewable Energy

This fourth volume in the Commonwealth Blue Economy Series, Marine Renewable Energy, explores the potential for the development of the blue economy by providing a high-level review of actions needed to progress marine renewable energy generation in SIDS.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291552
  • Publication Date: Sep 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Small States

This unique annual collection of key economic and statistical data on small states is an essential reference for economists, planners and policy-makers. This volume contains 17 tables covering development indicators and an article focusing on climate change impacts, adaptation and policies for agriculture in African small states.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291583
  • Publication Date: Oct 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Key Issues in Natural Resource Taxation and Revenue Management in the Commonwealth

Daniel Wilde

This Economic Paper analyses key issues in natural resource taxation and revenue management and recommends policies that can improve countries' economic performance. The discussion draws on economic theory, empirical evidence and the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291606
  • Publication Date: Oct 2016
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Sustainable Future for Small States

Resina Katafono

This publication reviews seven sectors that can catalyse economic development in the Commonwealth Pacific: political governance; development effectiveness and co-ordination; oceans governance; non-communicable diseases; ICT and connectivity; migration and climate change; and energy, and offers policy solutions to address these challenges.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291637
  • Publication Date: Sep 2017
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Youth Mainstreaming in Development Planning

A compendium of concepts to initiate dialogue, and mobilise consensus around visions and strategies for young people. Includes tools and techniques that support initiatives to mainstream youth rights, voices and capabilities across government and other institutions. It is aimed policy-makers and practitioners engaged in development planning.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291644
  • Publication Date: Jul 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Enhancing the Contribution of Sport to the Sustainable Development Goals

Iain Lindsey

This guide builds on the work of previous Commonwealth publications analysing the role of sport in achieving sustainable development. Aimed at governmental policy-makers and other stakeholders, it provides evidenced and balanced policy options supporting the effective contribution of sport towards six prioritised Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291651
  • Publication Date: Apr 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days