Wishing our members and partners across the Commonwealth a very happy Commonwealth Day!

One resilient common future: transforming our common wealth

The theme of Commonwealth Day this year is One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth. This theme will resonate with CLGF members who took part in CLGF’s Conference in Kigali, 13-17 November 2023. In Kigali we highlighted the importance of building resilience from the bottom up and the critical role that local government and local leaders play in support inclusive and resilient local communities. Our discussions focused on the importance of investing in people; strengthening local economies and local access to public and private finance; support for local action climate change including through adaptation and mitigation; and enhancing local democracy including through greater representation of women and youth.  We are already taking action in this regard and looking to the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, October 2024, where CLGF will call for recognition of local government’s key role in ensuring resilient communities across the Commonwealth.

Snapshot of CLGF's work 

The Commonwealth is a dynamic, diverse, and vibrant network. CLGF reflects this in our membership and throughout our work. Just as a snap shot, this week we have a session coming up on local government access to climate finance, which will bring together our members in the Caribbean; Claire Frost, Head of Programmes, is in Namibia attending the LED INDABA and launching a programme of support for LED with our local government and ministry members in Namibia; and we have compiled an update on the number of women in local leadership across the Commonwealth, together with a tool for members to use to promote greater gender equality in their home country.

CLGF also attended the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, which takes place every year to celebrate the Commonwealth, an important moment to reflect on the remarkable network of organisations that make up the family of nations, and how to continue to leverage the Commonwealth. HRH King Charles III reflected on 75 years of the Commonwealth and the speech can be read in full.