Secretary-General & Commonwealth Heads of Mission at DFAT

Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey with RCS ACT President, Hon. Professor Matthew Neuhaus

The Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, visited Canberra from 16–17 February for high-level discussions with the Australian Government. The program included talks with Australia’s Foreign Minister and senior officials on shared priorities across the Commonwealth, marking her first official visit to Australia since assuming office.

The visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm Australia’s longstanding commitment to the Commonwealth and its work in advancing democratic governance, sustainable development, climate resilience, and support for small and vulnerable states. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, promoting economic inclusion, and enhancing collaboration across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries at a time of significant global uncertainty.

The President of the Royal Commonwealth Society ACT (RCS ACT), Hon. Professor Matthew Neuhaus, was invited to attend a morning tea at The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) with with Commonwealth Heads of Mission in Australia. The gathering offered a valuable forum for informal dialogue and exchange. Hon. Professor Neuhaus was pleased to engage directly with the Secretary-General and Commonwealth Heads of Mission on a range of issues relevant to the Society’s work in Australia, including youth engagement, public diplomacy, and fostering a renewed understanding of the Commonwealth’s contemporary relevance.

On behalf of the RCS ACT, Hon. Professor Neuhaus extended an invitation to the Secretary-General to deliver a public address in Canberra under the Society’s auspices during her next visit. Such an address would provide an important opportunity to broaden public awareness of the Commonwealth’s role and to engage the diplomatic, academic, and policy communities in a substantive discussion about the organisation’s future direction.

The visit underscored the enduring ties between Australia and the Commonwealth family, and highlighted Canberra’s ongoing role as an active and constructive partner in advancing the Commonwealth’s shared values and objectives.

Report by: President RCS ACT Hon. Professor Matthew Neuhaus /Hon. Secretary Michael Keating