The Commonwealth

Singapore joined the Commonwealth in October 1965 after gaining independence. In 1971, Singapore hosted the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It produced a seminal document known as the Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles. The Commonwealth's relatively smaller size (currently 54 members), a shared language and similarities in political institutions among member countries, makes it a useful forum for its member states to discuss issues of common concern. Singapore regularly participates in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings held once every two years. PM led Singapore's delegation to the 2009 CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago and the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia. Singapore has also contributed to the work of the Commonwealth through, among others, the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the Singapore-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) under the Singapore Cooperation Programme which offers training courses to Commonwealth members.  More information on the Commonwealth can be obtained from http://www.thecommonwealth.org

• Official Website of the Commonwealth
  
• Singapore Cooperation Programme