London, Sept 8 (AFP\/APP):The Commonwealth spans much of the globe, looping in a third of the world’s population and a fifth of its landmass.<\/p>\n
Established more than 70 years ago, it has the stated aim of upholding democracy, rule of law and good governance around the world.<\/p>\n
Charles will now take over from his mother Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth. Here are a few key things to know about it:<\/p>\n
– Key facts –
\nFull name: Commonwealth of Nations
\nMember states: 56
\nDesignated Head of the Commonwealth: Charles (since 2022)
\nSecretary-General: Patricia Scotland (since 2016)
\nPopulation: 2.5 billion
\nArea: 31.5 million square kilometres
\nFoundation of modern Commonwealth: 1949
\nHeadquarters: Marlborough House, London
\nFocus: Development, democracy, climate change<\/p>\n
– Landmark events –
\n1926: Balfour Declaration. Declared the UK and the dominions as equal in status as members of “the British Commonwealth of Nations”.
\n1931: Statute of Westminster. Established legislative independence for the dominions and set the basis for the relationship between Commonwealth realms and the crown.
\n1949: London Declaration. Birth of the modern Commonwealth. Allowed republics as members, to enable independent India’s continued membership. “British” dropped from title.
\n1971: First Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Singapore.
\n1991: Harare Declaration. Sets out Commonwealth’s core values.
\n2022: Togo and Gabon become the Commonwealth’s 55th and 56th members despite never having been under British rule.<\/p>\n
– Population, area, GDP –
\nCountries drawn from: Africa (21), Caribbean and Americas (13), Pacific (11), Asia (8), Europe (3).
\nBiggest country by population: India (1.38 billion).
\nSmallest country by population: Tuvalu (11,000).
\nBiggest country by area: Canada (9,984,670 square kilometres).
\nSmallest country by area: Nauru (21 square kilometres).
\nBiggest GDP: UK, India, Canada, Australia, Nigeria.
\nSmallest GDP: Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tonga, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines.<\/p>\n
– Membership –
\nCriteria: Historic association with existing member, as a general rule; compliance with Commonwealth principles; commitment to democracy, rule of law and good governance.
\nMembers in 1949: Australia, Canada, Ceylon, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, United Kingdom.
\nLatest first-time members: Togo (2022), Gabon (2022), Rwanda (2009), Mozambique (1995) Cameroon (1995), Namibia (1990), Brunei (1984).
\nCountries that left and re-joined: South Africa (1961-1994), Pakistan (1972-1989), Fiji (1987-1997), The Gambia (2013-2018), The Maldives (2016-2020).
\nCountries that left and never returned: Ireland (1949), Zimbabwe (2003).<\/p>\n
– Main events –
\nSummit: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, is held every two years. The event was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic, returning in June 2022.
\nCommonwealth Games: The Olympics-style multi-sport event is held every four years.
\nThe last event was held in the English city of Birmingham in 2022.
\nAustralia tops the all-time medals table ahead of England, Canada, India and New Zealand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
London, Sept 8 (AFP\/APP):The Commonwealth spans much of the globe, looping in a third of the world’s population and a fifth of its landmass. Established more than 70 years ago, it has the stated aim of upholding democracy, rule of law and good governance around […]<\/p>\n
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