The second Monday in March is when Commonwealth Day is celebrated each year, and today people from across the 54 member states of the Commonwealth will be marking the organisation and its values in a myriad of ways at school, in professional networks, civil society organisations, in academia, and in governments at all levels.

Recent and emerging challenges

This year will also be a moment to reflect on recent and emerging challenges, not least the pandemic, and to look forward to the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, taking place in Rwanda in June with the theme of delivering a Common Future. 

Local government will be at the heart of our Common Future. As the sphere of government closest to the people local government has an instrumental role to play in ensuring that no one is left behind in that endeavour. Today CLGF will be celebrating the Commonwealth ministers of local government, mayors, leaders, councillors, officials, and community leaders who work tirelessly to support and represent their communities and to deliver local services. 50% of the new urban population globally between now and 2050 will be living in towns and cities in the Commonwealth. They are where Commonwealth governments connect with their citizens, 60% of whom are under 30. They provide leadership and services including health, water, waste, environmental management, and sanitation; they are centres for education and training, innovation and entrepreneurship and engines of economic development, trade and employment. It is vital that Our Common Future reflects the local context and human realities in our cities, towns and villages.

Local government at heart of our future

Our network has never been more important in ensuring that all these voices are heard and acted on in development towards a Common Future across the Commonwealth.

On behalf of our Chairperson, Rev Mpho MW Moruakgomo and our Secretary-General, Ms Lucy Slack, we wish all our members, stakeholders and friends a happy Commonwealth Day and may we build on the enormous achievements and resilience in our communities and globally.