Founded in 1931, the British Commonwealth is an association between the United Kingdom and its former colonies (except Mozambique and Rwanda), currently this organization has 54 member countries.
Of the former British colonies, only the United States of America never participated in the Commonwealth, another casualty refers to Zimbabwe, a nation expelled from the association for not carrying out democratic reforms in the parents. Of the current members, only two nations were not British colonies: Mozambique (former Portuguese colony) and Rwanda (former colony of Belgium).
The main objectives of the British Commonwealth are the establishment of democratic political regime, development socioeconomic, guaranteeing human rights, promoting peace, commercial benefits and educational assistance in countries members.
The organization provides technical and scientific support to the poorest members in areas such as agriculture, industry, energy, health and education. Since 1991, the Commonwealth has monitored elections at the request of governments so that possible electoral fraud does not occur.
In these 54 countries that make up the association, there are approximately 2 billion inhabitants, corresponding to about a third of the world population. The economic activities of these nations are also expressive on the global stage: currently the countries of the British Commonwealth represent 30% of all world trade.
Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary General
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Located at Malborough House, London, the Commonwealth Secretariat is the main body of this association, it is responsible for organizing summits, ministerial meetings, consultative meetings and discussions techniques. Decisions are discussed among government representatives from the 54 member countries. This secretariat has been led, since April 1, 2008, by Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma (India).
The Secretary General is elected by Commonwealth Leaders for a four-year term and may be re-elected only once. This position is supported by two Advisors.
Commonwealth member countries: South Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Singapore, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Maldives, Mauritius, Fiji Islands, Solomon Islands, India, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Kenya, United Kingdom, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Nauru, United Republic of Tanzania, Rwanda, Samoa, Saint Lucia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Siri Lanka, Swaziland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
Economic Blocks and International Organizations - geography - Brazil School
