Commonwealth Day 2020

Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people from all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.

At each ceremony, before the raising of the Commonwealth flag at 10.00hrs, messages from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, and the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC,Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, will be read, followed by a Commonwealth Affirmation. This common act of witness renews the commitment of people in Commonwealth countries to work together inclusively and in a spirit of goodwill towards democracy and development in which all can share.

The theme for the 2020 Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and for the work of the Commonwealth more generally is ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’.

This theme was chosen because the governments and people of our diverse family of 54 Commonwealth countries connect at many levels through extensive and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill.

Together, the countries and people of the Commonwealth tackle climate change and its impacts.  We work to find sustainable ways of using the natural resources of our planet, its land and ocean, so that our environment is protected.

Together, we work to build peace and harmony through social and democratic development.

Together, we encourage inclusive economic empowerment and fair trade so that all people, particularly women, young people and those in marginalised communities can share the fruits of progress and prosperity.

Together, we are delivering a common future by connecting, innovating and transforming our societies.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, said:  “On Commonwealth Day we come together to acknowledge publicly and collectively the continuing aspiration of the Commonwealth to build on common traditions and uphold our shared values of democracy, inclusive development and respect for diversity.

Local and national flag raising ceremonies in school yards, on village greens, in town squares, and on mountaintops and beaches, bring greater understanding and appreciation of the values and principles of the Commonwealth Charter – to which the governments of all Commonwealth countries subscribe, and to which each of us individually as Commonwealth citizens can recommit ourselves on Commonwealth Day.

I send my best wishes to all involved, saluting you and wishing you well as you raise both the Commonwealth flag and awareness of all that we achieve together through Commonwealth connection, friendship and cooperation.â€