The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations. Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth’s aims of development, democracy and peace. It publishes authoritative, evidence-based research and knowledge products for policymakers, academics, professionals and wider publics across the world. Our areas of focus and expertise include small and developing states; environment and climate change; democracy, law and government; and social issues concerning young people, gender, health and education.

Trade Effects of Rules on Procurement for Commonwealth ACP Members

Peter Trepte

This Economic Paper assesses the potential trade effects of rules on procurement policies in Commonwealth ACP countries. It provides a practical guide for policy-makers and negotiators to determine the impact of government procurement rules and policies taken at the national level or negotiated in trade agreements.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290692
  • Publication Date: Nov 2011
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Zambia General Elections, 20 September 2011

The Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Zambia General Elections. The Group was led by former Nigeria Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and comprised 12 eminent persons in total.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290753
  • Publication Date: Jan 2012
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Social Policies in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Biman Chand Prasad

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are two small states that have struggled to develop successful social policies since independence. This study traces their social histories and examines factors that have hindered progress. Future development requires a move away from traditional social structures and a focus on political stability and economic growth.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290838
  • Publication Date: Jul 2012
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New Century Local Government

Graham Sansom

This collection of papers shows how the role of local government is evolving throughout the Commonwealth and provides practical examples of new local government at work. It showcases emerging practice, and highlights success stories from new ways of working and challenges confronting local government in both developed and developing countries.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849290937
  • Publication Date: Sep 2013
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Assessing Aid for Trade

Dirk Willem te Velde

Aid for Trade has been an integral part of ODA since the WTO 2005 Ministerial. This volume of 16 papers provides a comprehensive review of the AfT initiative, examining effectiveness, current issues and future directions including an alternative way to improve trade for developing countries from Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stigliz.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291064
  • Publication Date: Nov 2013
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Swaziland National Elections, 20 September 2013

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission for the Swaziland National Elections, held 20 September 2013. The Mission was led by Dr Bakili Muluzi, former President of the Republic of Malawi, and was comprised of 5 eminent persons.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291118
  • Publication Date: Jan 2014
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Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs (2011-2020)

LDC IV Monitor's first reports provide an independent assessment of the status of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (IPoA). They aim to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in the implementation of the IPoA leading towards the graduation of the least developed countries (LDCs).

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291200
  • Publication Date: Oct 2014
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Regional Integration in South Asia

Mohammad A. Razzaque

This volume presents an objective assessment of trade and economic co-operation among South Asian nations and highlights policy issues to foster regional integration. It presents insightful perspectives on potential new areas of co-operation, emerging challenges, and country-specific views on regional and bilateral trade co-operation issues.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291224
  • Publication Date: Nov 2014
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Small States

This unique annual collection of key economic and statistical data on states with fewer than 5 million inhabitants is an essential reference for economists, planners and policy-makers working on issues of concern to small states. Contains 65 tables covering development indicators and an article focusing on the role of data and statistics.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291255
  • Publication Date: Jun 2014
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Malawi Tripartite Elections, 20 May 2014

The report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Malawi tripartite elections held on 20 May 2014. The mission was chaired by Lt Gen Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe, former Vice-President of Botswana and was comprised of 11 members in total.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291323
  • Publication Date: Oct 2014
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Prioritising the Implementation of International Financial Regulation

John Armour

Presents a risk-based framework for implementing international financial regulation within national economies, in particular in small states. It includes case studies to illustrate how the framework can be integrated with standard setting processes to improve outcomes for small states.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291408
  • Publication Date: Jul 2015
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Commonwealth Trade Review 2015

Fundamental changes are taking place in the global trade landscape, and the Commonwealth, with its diverse membership, is adapting to and coming to terms with these changes. Offering insightful perspectives on topical issues that can contribute to promoting the role of trade in development, Commonwealth Trade Review 2015 addresses these issues.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291453
  • Publication Date: Nov 2015
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Blue Biotechnology

This fifth volume in the Commonwealth Blue Economy Series, Blue Biotechnology, provides a high-level assessment of the opportunities available for economic diversification through the development of a blue biotechnology sector in SIDS for food, health products and pharmaceuticals.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291521
  • Publication Date: Sep 2016
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Global Youth Development Index and Report 2016

The Commonwealth's 2016 Global Youth Development Index and Report is an overview of the development of young people (aged 15 -30) in 183 countries, including 49 Commonwealth countries. It analyses 18 indicators across five domains -- education, health and well-being, employment and opportunity, political participation and civic participation.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291590
  • Publication Date: Oct 2016
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Judicial Bench Book on Violence Against Women in Commonwealth East Africa

The Judicial Bench Book on Violence Against Women in Commonwealth East Africa situates VAW in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. By placing VAW within the socio-cultural and legal context of the region, the bench book will enhance the ability of judicial officers to handle cases of VAW, both within a human rights as well as a gender perspective.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291613
  • Publication Date: Jan 2017
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Future Fragmentation Processes

Jodie Keane

This publication provides a careful examination of global value chains (GVCs) within which Commonwealth members countries specialise at the sectoral level: manufacturing, services and commodity trade, including within the realm of the oceans economy, and reflects on future fragmentation processes.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781849291668
  • Publication Date: Aug 2017
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days