In 2024, the Commonwealth Secretariat will be electing a new Secretary General. The body is the administrative arm of the 56-member intergovernmental organisation which represents a third of the world’s population. It is anticipated that the next leader could be drawn from one of the Commonwealth’s 21 African member states.
For African governments, the Commonwealth is one venue where they can articulate their international relations and exert their diplomatic agency. This has led to expanding membership from countries beyond former territories of the British Empire to countries such Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon and Togo that do not have such historical ties to the UK. However, the tangible benefits of membership can sometimes remain unclear in the daily lives of the citizens of Commonwealth countries.
At this event, Joshua Phoho Setipa, will reflect on how the organization can best work with its member states to impact policies on key global challenges, and outline his vision for a modern and reformed Commonwealth.
