The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, including both advanced
economies and developing countries. It is home to 2.7 billion people, 60% of whom are youth under the age of 29.
It is also home to 33 of the world’s 42 small states, each with a population of 1.5 million or less.
Commonwealth member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Its
values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter. The Charter expresses the commitment of
member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to
improve the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth.
CHOGM is the biennial summit of all the Commonwealth Heads of Government. It is hosted by a different
member state every two years. At CHOGMs, member states meet, debate, and coordinate policies and co-operation.