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Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth convened today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), chaired by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo.
Meeting on the margins of the 80th UN General Assembly, ministers expressed overwhelming support for the Commonwealth’s role as a champion of multilateralism and collective action at a time of profound global upheaval.
They reviewed progress since the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa and charted a clear path towards CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.
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In his opening remarks, the Chair, Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe, said:
“The role we play at this Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting is crucial, and the issues discussed today are key to implementing the mandates of the CHOGM Leaders from Samoa, to help build a resilient Commonwealth.”
Secretary-General’s Call: A Commonwealth defined by purpose
Leading her first CFAMM as Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey called on member states to seize the moment and reinforce the Commonwealth’s unique convening power:
“The multilateral system is under serious pressure, but it remains our greatest tool. Without it, the fractures in our world will deepen. With it, we can still find solutions… My vision for the Commonwealth is rooted in this conviction: that in a world defined by pressure, the Commonwealth must be defined by purpose,” she said.
She underscored that the Commonwealth’s diversity, with 56 members encompassing one-third of humanity, from the world’s largest economies to its smallest states, offers an unmatched platform to defend democracy, unlock economic opportunity, lead in climate action, and empower women and young people.
CFAMM 2025 outcomes: Strengthening resilience, driving reform
Ministers affirmed the Strategic Plan 2025–2030: Building a More Resilient Commonwealth, which centres on democratic, economic and environmental resilience.
The plan, co-created with member states and approved by the Commonwealth’s Board of Governors on 10 September, will make the Secretariat “sharper, more focused, and more effective in serving you,” the Secretary-General said.
Ministers agreed on:
- Advocacy for multilateralism: Ministers renewed their commitment to collective solutions on peace, climate, debt, and trade, with small and vulnerable states at the centre.
- Driving reform: Approval of measures to streamline CHOGM and ministerial meetings, strengthen Secretariat capacity, and improve delivery through digital tools, stronger teams, and results-driven monitoring.
- Resilience at the core: Agreement to advance resilience across societies, democratic institutions, and economies, building on CHOGM 2024 outcomes.
- Championing small states: Agreement to amplify small states’ voices in securing climate finance, debt relief, and fairer trade arrangements.
- Empowering people: Ministers welcomed expanded youth mobility initiatives, stronger gender equality programmes, and new partnerships to support the Commonwealth’s 1.6 billion young people.
The Secretary-General also announced the creation of a Democracy Fragility Index, designed to track risks to democratic stability and, through new partnerships, provide early warning to help avert crises.
Looking ahead
As ministers turned their focus toward CHOGM 2026, they agreed that the Commonwealth must set the standard for effective, streamlined international cooperation.
“This is not an abstract plan; it is a practical platform for delivery,” said the Secretary-General Botchwey.
“With your continued support, we can make the Commonwealth more resilient, more relevant, and more results driven.”
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) also met on 21 September, marking 30 years as the association’s guardian of democracy, and reviewed current country situations.
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