Royal Commonwealth Society - Ottawa

Strengthening Communities

The Commonwealth - Fast Facts

The Commonwealth is made up of 54 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals which promote development, democracy, and peace. Our combined population of 2.4 billion is almost a third of the global population.

The combined GDP is projected to surpass US$13 trillion in 2020.
Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth.
Seven of the top 10 countries in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures rule of law, human rights, participation, human development and sustainable economic opportunity, are Commonwealth members.
Seven of the top 10 countries for gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa are Commonwealth countries, according to World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2015.
Five of the best performing 15 countries in the Youth Development Index are Commonwealth members.
Since 1991, 12 Commonwealth member countries have moved to multi-party democracy from military or one-party rule.

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Events Calendar (RCSO and Other)

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COMMONWEALTH - Insights, Inspiration, & Innovation

Aug 2, 2019

Nature crisis: Humans 'threaten 1m species with extinction'

On land, in the seas, in the sky, the devastating impact of humans on nature is laid bare in a compelling UN report. From the bees that pollinate our crops, to the forests that hold back flood waters, the report reveals how humans are ravaging the very ecosystems that support their societies. Read more ... #climate

Jul 28, 2019

The world can be fatally wounded by negligence in the next 18 months.

One of the understated headlines in last year's IPCC report was that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 in order to keep the planet warming below 1.5C. Current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit. Right now, we are heading towards 3C of heating by 2100 not 1.5. Read more ... #climate

Jul 21, 2019

Antarctic sea ice is declining dramatically and we don’t know why.

Decades of expanding sea ice in Antarctica have been wiped out by three years of sudden and dramatic declines, leaving scientist puzzled as to why the region has flipped so abruptly, its lowest point in 40 years. Melting Antarctic sea ice does not add to sea level rise because the ice is already in the water. However, it is bad for wildlife such as penguins that rely on it. It also contributes to global warming because sea ice reflects much of the sun’s energy back into space

@QueensCanopy

Supporting small states

Ocean warming is accelerating faster than thought.

A Swiss start up will turn carbon dioxide into stone.

IPCC Report on Climate Change

Dec 3, 2018

IPCC Report on Climate Change

“Governments agreed on the 1.5°C goal in Paris in 2015 and knew exactly—and without any further IPCC assessment—that this would mean deeper mitigation faster,” said Oliver Geden of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. “It hasn’t happened yet.” Here is a summary of what you need to know about the full report. #climate

#Commonwealth’s Climate Finance Access Hub

The #IPCCReport is clear

Apr 3, 2018

'The Queen's Green Planet'

To mark the documentary 'The Queen's Green Planet', which features The Queen & David Attenborough discussing the @QueensCanopy, a special campaign has been launched to enable viewers to get involved with the #CommonwealthCanopy. #QueensGreenPlanet The @WoodlandTrust is providing 50,000 trees for a plant-a-tree campaign, where school & community groups can make their own contribution the #CommonwealthCanopy. #QueensGreenPlanet The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (@QueensCanopy) is

The Caribbean Is At High Risk

Aug 17, 2017

The Caribbean Is At High Risk

THE ENTIRE Caribbean way of life is under threat if the region does not get to grips with climate change, according to a leading expert on the issue. With the region now entering hurricane season, experts say that the challenges facing the region are now even higher. However observers say that access to available funds to help Caribbean leaders to tackle the problem is too often mired in bureaucratic red tape. #climate

The Ocean Conference

Jun 4, 2017

The Ocean Conference

The Commonwealth includes most of the world’s small island developing states as well as many other coastal nations who depend on the seas. Forty-five of our 52 members are ocean states and 24 are small island developing states (SIDS) - countries like Fiji, Seychelles, Barbados and Tonga. The governments and people of these countries rely on the marine environment for economic growth, livelihoods and sustenance. However, threats ranging from climate change, overexploitation, i

A Blue Commonwealth: high-level roundtable at The Ocean Conference

Jun 4, 2017

A Blue Commonwealth: high-level roundtable at The Ocean Conference

The Government of the Republic of Seychelles and the Commonwealth Secretariat will host a high-level roundtable at the UN Ocean Conference, bringing together leaders and senior ministers from Commonwealth oceanic states. The side event will be opened by the Prime Minister of Fiji, co-chair of the conference, and include participation from Bangladesh, Barbados, Cyprus, Grenada and Tonga, as well as representatives from UNCTAD and civil society. The roundtable will examine the

On front line of climate change as Maldives fights rising seas

May 23, 2017

On front line of climate change as Maldives fights rising seas

White sand circles picked out by the sun in sparkling blue seas are the first signs that my plane has arrived at the Maldives, a tropical paradise spread over almost 1200 islands. Unfortunately, the nation is facing a rise in sea levels and the bleaching of its coral reefs – perils that made it a poster child for the consequences of climate change. It gained publicity for the plan announced by former president Mohamed Nasheed in 2008 to purchase land elsewhere so the populati

May 16, 2017

Commonwealth Blue Economy Series

The marine environment provides valuable economic, social and cultural resources, which can contribute to the sustainable economic development of small island developing states (SIDS) and larger coastal states. Alongside traditionally exploited marine resources, the marine environment also provides human communities with a broad range of essential services that support economic wellbeing and human health. Furthermore, new opportunities have emerged that are gradually being re