Today, #CommonwealthDay was celebrated across our 56 member countries under the theme 'Unlocking opportunities for a prosperous Commonwealth'.
From London to Lilongwe and Auckland, communities came together to reaffirm a shared commitment to peace, partnership and progress.
In London, events included a flag-raising at the House of Commons, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates and a multi-faith service of celebration at Westminster Abbey.
As the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, said in her first Commonwealth Day message: "Our diversity is extraordinary… Those connections are powerful instruments for resilience and progress."
Bowled over by who we bumped into on the street 👀🏏
Sir Vivian Richards, the Envoy for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, on what keeps the Commonwealth in play.
@abchogm2026
🎥 Highlights from #CommonwealthDay 2026!
From festivals and flag-raisings to school activities and services, people across the Commonwealth came together in a shared moment of reflection and celebration.
“Do what you have to do!”
That was the powerful message from women in politics of different generations who came together for a Commonwealth discussion on how to inspire more women and young women to enter politics.
During the Rule of Law Seminar: Women In Politics taken place at Marlborough House, the panellists, stressed the importance of creating safer and more supportive political environments for now and future generations, including listening to women already in politics.
The proposals shared during the discussion will help inform the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Women’s Forum ahead of #CHOGM2026 in Antigua and Barbuda this November.
#WomenInPolitics
Ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Commonwealth Health Ministers and officials will convene to discuss the future of cancer care.
Cervical cancer is at the heart of that conversation.
The Commonwealth accounts for 40% of new cervical cancer cases and 43% of global deaths, despite representing just 30% of the world's population. By 2030, cases are projected to rise by 55% – the equivalent of one woman dying every three minutes.
Across the Commonwealth, First Ladies and Spouses of Heads of Government are emerging as champions of change in the fight against cervical cancer.
👉 Swipe to see how they are leading national efforts to drive progress and save lives.
#CommonwealthHealth | #WHA79
The Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition 2026 is now open! 🌊📸
This year’s theme, Waves of Change, is an opportunity to tell your story of connection to the ocean and waterways through photography.
Four categories to enter:
🔵 Human–Ocean Connection
🟢 Hope & Resilience
🔴 Threats & Challenges
🟡 Innovative Solutions
Organised in partnership with @royalcwsociety and @cityyneb , the competition is open to all Commonwealth nationals or residents aged 18–30 and is free to enter.
Prizes will be awarded for each category, as well as for an overall winner.
All winning photographs will have the opportunity to be displayed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (#CHOGM2026) in Antigua and Barbuda in November.
Find out more about how to enter via the link in our bio.
Celebrating our Antigua and Barbuda students at Marlborough House ✨
Our Building Craft Programme participants visited the home of the @Commonwealth_sec in London last week to mark the completion of their four-week trip to the UK.
At Marlborough House, a ceremony was held in which Her Excellency, Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda, awarded certificates to the participants. 🏅
The students will now put into practice the skills they have learnt on a community Live Build project back home in Antigua and Barbuda. Congratulations to all our students, we can’t wait to see what you do next 💫
🇦🇬 Today we were delighted to welcome building craft students from Antigua and Barbuda through the @KingsFoundation for a tour of Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London.
🛠️ The participants have been in the UK developing skills in traditional building techniques and sustainable construction ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
🏛️ Now their training is complete, they will contribute to construction projects that showcase heritage restoration, sustainability and local skills development across Antigua and Barbuda.
#CHOGM2026
🎥🌍 Meet the Official CHOGM 2026 Social Media Correspondents! 🇦🇬
The CHOGM Secretariat and the Commonwealth Secretariat has selected four dynamic young content creators to serve as Social Media Correspondents for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda!
👏 Congratulations to:
- Joshua Edwards
- Janet Simon
- Lutrell John
- Gabrielle Hamlet
Over the coming months, these correspondents will share News-style reels covering key discussions and providing insight into the conversations shaping CHOGM 2026.
Stay tuned as they help bring the story of #CHOGM2026 to life!
#ABCHOGM2026 #CHOGM2026 #DigitalStorytelling #YouthVoices
@commonwealth_sec@abhcuk
“Surviving cancer isn’t the finish line. What you do with your survival is what matters.”
At just 19, Sidney Chahonyo’s life was turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis – followed by delays in diagnosis, uncertainty and the high cost of treatment.
Today he is cancer-free and using his experience to advocate for stronger support for young people and more equitable cancer care systems across the Commonwealth.
Read Sidney’s story on our website.
#CommonwealthHealth
How is artificial intelligence reshaping elections? 🗳️
Last week in Trinidad and Tobago, we brought together election officials from across the Caribbean and Americas to examine how AI can both strengthen and undermine electoral integrity.
The sessions explored practical applications of AI in election management, information integrity and data analysis, while safeguarding electoral integrity.
The training is part of the Commonwealth Election Professionals initiative, an Australian-funded programme that has been building the capacity of Electoral Management Bodies across the Commonwealth since 2013.
#CommonwealthElections
