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<p>The UK marked Commonwealth Day on 9 March and in his statement our Prime Minister
outlined the enduring bond between the Commonwealth network of 54 countries, who are
united in its promotion of peace, democracy and human rights. At Commonwealth Heads
of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM18) in London, the UK announced £500m of projects
and programmes to support delivery of the Commonwealth leaders commitments under the
headings of security, prosperity, democracy and sustainability. After hosting CHOGM18,
the UK took up the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, a position held by the Commonwealth
country which has hosted the most recent CHOGM.</p><p>The UK has been an active Chair-in-Office,
committed to strengthening and renewing the Commonwealth, through its three pillars
- the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Member States and Commonwealth organisations and
networks. We have driven delivery of Commonwealth leaders commitments, supported the
Commonwealth to have a stronger voice as an advocate for multilateral cooperation
in the rules-based international system and increased solidarity between members.
The UK has also championed reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat.</p><p>Initiatives
have been undertaken in a diverse range of policy areas, from climate change and marine
protection, to cyber security, mediation of conflict and promotion of intra-Commonwealth
trade. 31 Commonwealth countries are together now tackling marine plastic pollution,
whilst over 3,000 women entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth have been supported
to internationalise their businesses, and barriers to trade have been reduced.</p>
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