Commonwealth member states Warn Declining Development Aid, Call for New Solutions to Global Challenges

Commonwealth member states have raised concerns over declining development assistance and weakening international cooperation, warning that new approaches are urgently needed to help countries overcome mounting economic, social and security challenges while strengthening resilience against emerging global threats.

The concerns were raised during the 27th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Foreign ministers identified the in-development cooperation as one of the major challenges facing the organisation, alongside actions targeting some member states and the far-reaching implications of rapidly advancing technologies.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said many countries were struggling to mobilise the financial resources needed to deliver essential public services and strengthen their capacity to withstand growing challenges.

She stressed that the Commonwealth must make better use of its collective strength and longstanding partnerships to develop practical solutions to shared challenges and deliver tangible benefits to its more than 2.7 billion citizens.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paul Chet Greene, said the Commonwealth should continue serving as a platform for dialogue, cooperation and opportunity while deepening engagement with key development partners.

“Through partnership and collective action, we can build resilience, unlock economic opportunities and ensure that the Commonwealth continues to deliver meaningful and tangible benefits to our people,” he said.
The ministers also explored ways to strengthen the Commonwealth’s influence in addressing international challenges, helping member states build consensus and contribute more effectively to reforms in global governance.

They further emphasised the importance of ensuring that democracy and good governance go hand in hand with efforts to build resilient economies capable of withstanding economic shocks and the growing impacts of climate change.

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LIBOS NDAYISHIMIYE

Libos Ndayishimiye is a Rwandan journalist, reporter, and radio presenter who has been active in the media industry since 2024. He centers his work on community-driven storytelling, aiming to foster a well-informed society.

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