What a momentous month! We celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth on the 26^th of April. We marked this milestone at Marlborough House with the release of the Global Youth Development Index (YDI) Update Report 2023, one of our flagship reports.

I am pleased to say that Singapore, one of our member countries, emerged as the best performing country in youth development across the world, on the index.

Earlier in April, I was at the inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting in Cyprus, which proved how committed our Ministers are in protecting our oceans and the people who make their livelihoods from them. We were also well represented at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, where we continue to advocate for small states.

Lastly, I was in Rwanda for the 30th Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi and it was deeply moving because remembrance is crucial for healing and progress. It was also powerful to reflect on how Rwanda has risen since then.

Until next time,


The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC
Commonwealth Secretary-General