The Commonwealth Secretary-General marked one year in office on 1 April 2026. Her tenure is being defined as one of action and impact. This has included the agreement of a new strategic plan built on three central pillars: Democracy and governance; Economy and Trade and Climate change and our ocean. Youth, gender and small states remain as cross-cutting priorities.  

These pillars each resonate strongly with CLGF’s own priorities, and there is a strong local government dimension across each one:  

• The Aberdeen Agenda: Commonwealth principles on good practice for local democracy and good governance provides a set of standards to promote healthy local democracy and good governance and it is part of the Commonwealth Charter. 

• Similarly, local government plays a crucial role in ensuring an enabling environment for business, in supporting local economic development, and providing the basic services which mean businesses can thrive.  

• Cities and local governments are on the frontline of managing the climate crisis whether responding to disasters or planning for more resilient and green development.  

Multi-level and multi-sectoral partnerships are increasingly important as we face more complex and inter-related development challenges. The Commonwealth Secretary-General has consistently called for partnership across Commonwealth organisations from the outset. We look forward to building on our close working relationship to strengthen delivery and impact at all levels across the Commonwealth.