Concluding Statement Of The 72nd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group

07 March 2026

The 72nd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in London today ahead of the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) and next week’s Commonwealth Day celebrations.

The Group was formed in 1995 to be a custodian of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth. It is made up of a rotating group of Foreign Ministers from eight countries, drawn from different regions, plus the Foreign Minister of the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office, the host of the previous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Held on Saturday 7 March, the meeting was chaired by Honourable Dr Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta. Ministers and distinguished representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Canada, Grenada, Malaysia, Mauritius, Samoa and Zambia were also in attendance.

CMAG meetings are convened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, with the Commonwealth Secretariat providing support.

Concluding Statement of the Seventy-Second Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group 7 March 2026

1. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its Seventy-second meeting on Saturday, 7 March 2026. The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Dr Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta. Honourable Ministers and distinguished representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Canada, Grenada, Malaysia, Mauritius, Samoa, and Zambia were in attendance.

2. CMAG reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental values and principles of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter – including democracy, rule of law, human rights, separation of powers and freedom of expression and reiterated the importance of the Commonwealth’s support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all member states.

3. CMAG welcomed the report from the Secretary-General on her Good Offices engagements with member states, a mechanism to protect and promote Commonwealth values and principles.

4. Ministers expressed deep concern about the growing threats to democracy, the rule of law, judicial independence, human rights, and democratic space. CMAG reaffirmed that resilient democratic institutions and governance structures, and respect for the rule of law and human rights, are pivotal for sustainable and inclusive economic development, security and for fostering peace.

5. CMAG had a positive exchange with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Integration and the Diaspora of the Gabonese Republic, Her Excellency, Ms MarieÉdith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbénény, and commended Gabon on its continued progress on the path of democratic transition. CMAG decided to keep Gabon on its Formal Agenda and encouraged the Secretary-General to offer technical support to the Gabonese Government to further deepen the rule of law, democratic stability, separation of powers and good governance.

6. CMAG had a productive engagement with Honourable Professor Palamagamba J. Kabudi, Minister of State (Special Duties) of the United Republic of Tanzania and urged Tanzania to take the necessary steps in support of its stated commitment to the Commonwealth Charter and its political values. CMAG decided to retain Tanzania on its Formal Agenda and encouraged the Government of Tanzania, to advance, with the support of the Secretariat, on the areas outlined in CMAG’s Seventy-first Meeting in December 2025. CMAG welcomed Tanzania’s commitment to receive and facilitate the visit and work of the SecretaryGeneral’s Special Envoy in March 2026. CMAG looks forward to a robust assessment from the Special Envoy and in particular on issues raised by CMAG.

7. CMAG also addressed other matters of interest. 

8. On Pakistan, CMAG decided that the Secretary-General will continue her Good Offices and engage with Pakistan to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the 2024 Commonwealth Observer Group. CMAG will consider a Secretary-General report on Pakistan for a decision at its next meeting. 

9. On Uganda, CMAG addressed recent reports on the human rights and political environment in Uganda and decided that Uganda be placed on the Formal Agenda of CMAG. CMAG decided that the Secretary-General will engage her Good Offices with Uganda. CMAG will consider a report of the Secretary-General at its next meeting. 

10.CMAG applauded the work of the Secretary-General to promote sustainable development, democracy, good governance, stability, and peace in the Commonwealth Family. 

11.It was agreed that the next regular meeting of CMAG will be convened in November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.

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