Fifty-six equal countries, a Charter and three organisations: how the Commonwealth is run
Background
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, home to 2.7 billion people. It says 33 of its members are small states, including many island nations, and its values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter. Three intergovernmental organisations sit at the heart of the association: the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth of Learning. The international headquarters of the Secretariat and the Foundation are in Marlborough House on Pall Mall in London. Leaders agree priority areas of work at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, which happen every two years; the next such summit is hosted by Antigua and Barbuda. The Secretary-General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve a maximum of two terms of four years each, and is also the chief executive officer of the Secretariat. All member governments are represented on the Secretariat Board of Governors by their High Commissioners, and the Head of the Commonwealth holds a symbolic role that is not hereditary.
In plain words
CHOGM Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting — The summit where Commonwealth leaders agree their priority areas of work.
Commonwealth Charter the statement of Commonwealth values — The document in which the values and principles of the association are set out.
Chair-in-Office the leader of the country hosting a summit — That leader represents the Commonwealth at high level meetings for two years.
Commonwealth of Learning one of the three core organisations — It promotes open learning and distance education among member countries.