The 56 Commonwealth nations on Wednesday approved a five-year strategic plan for the Secretariat to deliver focused support for the 2.7 billion people it serves.
Covering 2025 to 2030, the plan was developed after extensive consultations with member countries, sister organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders.
The course of action outlined by Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey will make the Commonwealth more focused and impactful in its delivery for the benefit of the people.
Alongside its partners, the Secretariat will utilize three key pillars with a cross-cutting focus on youths, women, and small states, to create the conditions to fast-track development.
The three pillars, according to a statement issued after the High Commissioners’ meeting, are democratic resilience, economic resilience, and environmental resilience.
A major component of the plan is the expansion of youth digital skills through distance education, youth entrepreneurship, and STEM education for girls.
Additionally, performance accelerators and enablers, including partnerships, technology, and a reformed Secretariat, are being prioritized to strengthen program delivery.
The Commonwealth countries also affirmed their willingness to tackle complex challenges, such as education, health, and the needs of people with disabilities.
In her remarks at the board meeting, Botchwey said that from climate to trade, and from democracy to youth empowerment, the challenges facing the association “are complex and interconnected.”
“That’s why this strategic plan is grounded in the enduring values of our Charter, but shaped by the real, present demands of our time,” the Secretary-General averred.