Level 8 of 10: The UN and global treaty bodies

Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth)

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific, home to about 2.7 billion people. It grew from the British Empire; the London Declaration of 1949 created the modern Commonwealth of free and equal members, and the Commonwealth Charter was signed in 2013. Its leaders meet every two years at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and CHOGM 2026 is due in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda, on 1 to 4 November. The Commonwealth Secretariat in London is its central intergovernmental organisation, led by Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey. King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth, a role the Commonwealth describes as symbolic with no fixed term, and not hereditary.

Who leads it

• Secretary-General: Shirley Botchwey (since 2025-04) (thecommonwealth.org)
• Head of the Commonwealth: King Charles III (thecommonwealth.org)
• Chair-in-Office (Samoa): Hon Laaulialemalietoa Schmidt, Prime Minister of Samoa (since 2024-10) (thecommonwealth.org)

The UK and the Commonwealth

The UK is one of the 56 members, one of three European members with Cyprus and Malta, and the Commonwealth Secretariat is headquartered at Marlborough House in London. King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth, a role the Commonwealth says is not hereditary.

Key figures

What it decides

• Heads of Government meet every two years at CHOGM and agree priority areas of work.
• The Board of Governors, made up of High Commissioners, usually meets once a year to approve strategic plans, work programmes and budgets.
• The Executive Committee, including the eight largest contributors, oversees budgets and audit and can make policy recommendations.
• The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group can respond to serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values, including by suspending a member.
• Commonwealth leaders choose future Heads of the Commonwealth; the role is not hereditary.
• Leaders nominate the Secretary-General, who manages the Secretariat as chief executive for up to two four-year terms.

Timeline

• 1926: Leaders of self-governing Dominions agree they are equal members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 1949: The London Declaration creates the modern Commonwealth, allowing republics such as India to join. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 1965: The Commonwealth Secretariat is established in London. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 1971: The first CHOGM is held in Singapore. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 1991: The Harare Commonwealth Declaration sets priorities on democracy, human rights and equality. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 1995: The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is created; Nigeria is suspended. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 2013: The Commonwealth Charter is signed by Queen Elizabeth II. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 2022: Gabon and Togo join the Commonwealth. (thecommonwealth.org)
• 2025-07-15: The Ministerial Action Group lifts Gabon's partial suspension. (thecommonwealth.org)

How it is held to account

• The Secretariat is accountable for its use of member and donor funding, and the Board of Governors of High Commissioners approves its budgets (Commonwealth 'About us').
• The Executive Committee oversees budgets and audit and includes the eight largest contributors plus regional members elected for two years.
• The Ministerial Action Group of nine foreign ministers can suspend members for serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values.
• The Secretary-General is limited to two four-year terms and nominated by Commonwealth leaders.
• The Secretary-General says the Secretariat is undergoing reform to become more accountable (pre-CHOGM lecture, 19 October 2026).

Records you can check

• Our member countries
  The 56 members by region
• About the Commonwealth
  Organs, Secretariat, Secretary-General and funding accountability
• Our history
  Milestones from the 1926 and 1949 declarations to 2022
• Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
  Mandate and the nine current members
• CHOGM 2026
  Dates, venue and theme of the 2026 summit

Common questions

How many countries are in the Commonwealth?

The Commonwealth says it has 56 independent member countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific, with about 2.7 billion people. Its page lists 21 members in Africa, 8 in Asia, 13 in the Caribbean and Americas, 3 in Europe and 11 in the Pacific.

Who is the Head of the Commonwealth?

King Charles III, according to the Commonwealth. It says the role is mainly symbolic, has no fixed term and is not hereditary: Commonwealth leaders will choose future Heads. The Secretary-General, currently Shirley Botchwey, manages the Secretariat as its chief executive.

What is CHOGM?

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is the leaders' summit held every two years, where member countries take turns to host. The 2024 meeting was in Samoa and CHOGM 2026 is scheduled for 1 to 4 November in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda.

What does the Commonwealth Secretariat do?

The Secretariat is the Commonwealth's central intergovernmental organisation, supporting member countries and coordinating Commonwealth activities. It is based at Marlborough House in London and was established in 1965. The Commonwealth says it is accountable for its use of member and donor funding, with budgets approved by the Board of Governors.

Can a country be suspended from the Commonwealth?

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, set up in 1995, can respond to serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth's values. It can agree measures including suspension. Gabon was partially suspended in September 2023, and on 15 July 2025 the group decided to lift that suspension.

Is the UK in the Commonwealth?

Yes. The Commonwealth lists the United Kingdom among its 56 members, one of three in Europe with Cyprus and Malta. The Secretariat is headquartered at Marlborough House in London, and King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth. The UK is not among the nine current Ministerial Action Group members.

Who runs the Commonwealth?

There is no single government. Leaders set priorities at CHOGM, the Board of Governors of High Commissioners approves strategy and budgets, and the Secretary-General manages the Secretariat. A Chair-in-Office, currently the Prime Minister of Samoa, represents the Commonwealth at high-level meetings until the next CHOGM.

Other bodies at level 8

• International Court of Justice
• International Criminal Court
• International Labour Organization
• Interpol
• NATO
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations (General Assembly and Security Council)
• United Nations Children's Fund
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• United Nations Human Rights Council
• United Nations Security Council
• World Food Programme
• World Health Organization
• World Trade Organization

Sources

• Our member countries, read 23 October 2026
• About us, read 23 October 2026
• Our history, read 23 October 2026
• Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026, read 23 October 2026
• Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, read 23 October 2026
• Gabon restored to full membership within the Commonwealth, read 23 October 2026
• Pre-CHOGM lecture by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, read 23 October 2026
• Secretary-General, read 23 October 2026