RCS Wales

Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum 2023
2023-05-24 09:00 - 2023-05-26 17:00 (Europe/London) | Commonwealth HQ, London
The 3rd biennial Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum will take place in at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London from 24 – 26 May, under the theme “Aligning Ambition and Action towards Implementing an Inclusive Energy Transition.”

The three-day event will convene senior officials from across the Commonwealth in the energy sector, youth delegates, industry experts, partner organisations and private sector participants, to discuss approaches and strategies available to Commonwealth member countries for aligning ambitious energy transition goals with action on the ground.
Organised under the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) agenda, the Forum is a platform for collaborative action amongst the 56 member countries to accelerate the transition to low carbon energy systems.
Day 1
The first day will feature keynote speeches, presentations and panel discussions with high level speakers and industry representatives, followed by a reception. Sessions will focus on:

Implementing a Just & Inclusive Energy Transition
Scaling up Mature Solutions and Enabling Innovations in Clean Energy Technology
Creating the Enabling Environment for Accelerating the Energy Transition

Day 2
A closed-door plenary will take place for delegates from Commonwealth member states with presentations from different countries on individual pathways, progress and challenges. Dedicated sessions will cover:

Country presentations and experiences
Progress from CSET Action groups
Role of young people and gender equality in the energy transition

Day 3
The third day will focus on solutions to unlock public and private sector funding for the energy transition. Discussions will be held under Chatham House rules to encourage interactive, open and robust exchanges. Sessions will cover:

Financing the energy transition
Plenary session on key takeaways from the Forum

For more information about the event, please contact Commonwealth International.

Commonwealth NDC Webinar Series
2023-05-31 14:30 - 18:00 | Webinar Online
The Commonwealth Secretariat through its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub supports member countries in accessing climate finance to support climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience efforts, thereby contributing towards the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions.

Under the NDC Partnership’s Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP) Partnership Action Fund (PAF) initiatives, the Commonwealth Secretariat delivered targeted support for the enhancement and implementation of NDCs in five member countries since 2021, namely Belize, Eswatini, Grenada, Jamaica and Zambia, through the provision of in-country technical expertise.
This Commonwealth NDC Webinar series, in collaboration with the NDC Partnership, seeks to support the accumulation and transfer of critical knowledge across countries and regions based on these experiences and the wider programming of the Secretariat, for the replication and scaling up of innovative and successful climate action projects and initiatives.
Under each webinar below is a selection of useful related documents.
Webinar 4: Resource Mobilisation for NDC Implementation: Experiences and Lessons from Commonwealth Countries 31 May 2023, 2:30pm – 4:00pm BST
Resource mobilisation is a critical component and pre-requisite to addressing climate change. It is even more pertinent for small and other vulnerable nations disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.
Grenada, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with unique vulnerabilities to climate change has therefore prioritised resource mobilisation to implement its ambitious climate targets as depicted in its second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
This webinar seeks to share learning and experiences across the Commonwealth on planning, strategising and applying resource mobilisation actions for NDC Implementation.

Memorial Service For Minority Ethnic & Commonwealth Servicemen & Women
2023-11-14 09:30 - 11:30 | Cathays Park, Cardiff, 19 King Edward VII Ave, Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
The Chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society Mr Rogeiro Verma said: “This is a historic moment that will ensure that for years to come, the families of commonwealth citizens who gave their lives in the World Wars and those who were left behind will know that Wales honours their sacrifices and recognises their selfless contributions and legacy.

Commonwealth Day: Service of Celebration
2024-03-11 | Westminster Abbey, London, SW1P 3PA
Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Day Service is the world’s premier, public event to celebrate the Commonwealth of Nations and provides an opportunity to focus attention on this voluntary association of 56 countries and their commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.5 billion citizens.
​This annual event, held at Westminster Abbey, celebrates the unity, diversity, and linkages of the modern Commonwealth and seeks to foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth’s achievements and role, particularly amongst its young people.
Guests of honour among the 2,000 strong congregation included the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Prime Minister of Samoa, High Commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the UK and the Commonwealth, alongside athletes from the home nations who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer, faith leaders, and over 750 school children and young people from throughout the UK.
Upon Their Majesties’ arrival at Westminster Abbey, The King and The Queen Consort were met by the Dean of Westminster, before greeting members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, who performed at the Great West Door ahead of the Commonwealth Service. The Service commenced with a procession of Commonwealth member states’ flags. As 2023 is the Commonwealth Year of Peace, a specially designed Commonwealth Flag for Peace was also processed this year.
The King delivered His Majesty’s Commonwealth Day Message from the Great Pulpit. The Service also included special musical performances from saxophonist Yolanda Brown, West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera, and the all-female, Amalgamation Choir, from Cyprus. Marking Rwanda’s role as the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, having hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2022, the Rwandan National Ballet, Urukerereza, also performed.
A reflection was given by young Samoan environmental advocate Brianna Fruean, who was the youngest recipient of a Commonwealth Youth Award aged, just 16 years old. Samoa is the incoming Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, and will host CHOGM in 2024.
The Commonwealth Day Service is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC YouTube channel for an international audience.
