Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth)

Founded 1931 (Statute of Westminster); modern form from the 1949 London Declaration · Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Regional

Purpose

A voluntary association of mostly former British territories cooperating on democracy, development and shared values, headed symbolically by the British monarch.

Members:: 56 member states
Headquarters:: London, United Kingdom

History

The Commonwealth evolved from the British Empire, formally recognized by the 1931 Statute of Westminster, and took its modern, more inclusive form after the 1949 London Declaration allowed republics like India to remain members without the British monarch as head of state.

Structure

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
Commonwealth Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General

Key facts

Membership is not limited to former British colonies; Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo and Gabon joined without any colonial link to Britain
King Charles III serves as Head of the Commonwealth, a largely symbolic role

Pakistan's relationship

Member since 1947; left in 1972 in protest at recognition of Bangladesh, rejoined in 1989; suspended twice over military rule (1999 and 2007) and reinstated both times.