ITC and Commonwealth Secretariat Sign MOU to Deepen Trade Cooperation Across the Commonwealth
(Geneva) – The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend a long-standing partnership, setting out a three-year programme of work to support sustainable, inclusive and digitally enabled trade across the Commonwealth—an association of 56 countries across five continents.
The agreement was signed virtually by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey and ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton, with the aim of deepening cooperation in several key areas.
Priority Areas of Cooperation
Small island developing states’ resilience
Building socioeconomic resilience through more inclusive and diversified trade and financing opportunities, with a focus on addressing climate change, including investments in the blue (ocean) and green economies.
Women’s economic empowerment
Supporting women-owned businesses to access markets, finance and global value chains through joint training, policy support and the expansion of ITC’s SheTrades initiative.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation
Mobilizing private-sector engagement and accelerating AfCFTA implementation through joint capacity building on Digital Trade and Investment protocols, as well as partnerships with regional business associations.
Critical minerals
Promoting the development of and investment in critical mineral value chains by supporting countries on governance frameworks, sustainability standards, beneficiation and responsible business conduct.
Youth empowerment
Promoting thought leadership on youth entrepreneurship and innovation, and supporting skills development, knowledge exchange and community building through collaboration between ITC’s youth team and the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
Digital and borderless trade
Promoting inclusive e-commerce, digital trade solutions, knowledge exchange and joint resource mobilization to help small businesses thrive in the digital economy.
Renewing a Deep Partnership
The new agreement, and its accompanying three-year programme of work, builds on years of joint initiatives and underscores the shared commitment of ITC and the Commonwealth Secretariat to support Commonwealth countries—particularly least developed countries, small states and vulnerable economies—in building small business competitiveness and achieving sustainable development through trade.
At the signing ceremony, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey stated:
“This renewed partnership reflects our shared conviction that trade must be a force for resilience, inclusion and opportunity across the Commonwealth. By deepening our partnership with the International Trade Centre, we will help to equip our small states, women and youth entrepreneurs, and emerging industries, from the blue economy to critical minerals, to compete and thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Together, we seek to build the foundations for sustainable prosperity that leaves no country and no community behind.”
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton added:
“What our new agreement aims to make possible is a future where crises aren’t running the table, but where small businesses across the Commonwealth are instead dictating their own futures and helping make possible the goals that Commonwealth countries have set out for themselves.”
Implementation and Next Steps
The 2025–2028 Action Plan outlines a broad set of activities, including:
joint publications,
technical assistance,
data sharing,
policy support, and
capacity building tailored to the specific needs of Commonwealth countries.
The MOU also enhances cooperation on joint advocacy and participation in key Commonwealth and international events.
Notes to the Editor
About the Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states, with a combined population of 2.7 billion, more than 60% of whom are aged 29 or under. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced and developing economies. Thirty-three members are small states, many of them island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance, and promote justice and human rights. Its work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address challenges such as climate change, debt and inequality. Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organizations.
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Website: https://thecommonwealth.org/
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About the International Trade Centre
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
More information: www.intracen.org