Parliamentary Secretary Robert Oliphant concludes visit to United Kingdom and announces new funding to support education initiatives across Commonwealth

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

March 13, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada 

Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has concluded a productive visit to London, United Kingdom, where he attended Commonwealth Week events between March 11 and 13, 2025. 

While in London, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant represented Canada at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting, where members confirmed the Commonwealth’s key roles in contributing to peace, security, and human rights. 

The Group reinforced their commitment to multilateralism, international cooperation, and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all member states of the Commonwealth.

He also met with incoming Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey to discuss how the Commonwealth can be modernized to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of its members in a rapidly changing world. Additionally, the Parliamentary Secretary met with leaders from other Commonwealth countries to explore opportunities for greater collaboration on shared values, such as the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance. 

During the visit, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant announced that Canada will provide $7.8 million to the Commonwealth of Learning over 3 years. The Commonwealth of Learning is an intergovernmental organization mandated by Commonwealth leaders to provide access to quality education and learning opportunities throughout the organization’s membership. Canada’s funding will enable the organization to continue its critical work expanding the use of open, distance and technology-enabled learning across the Commonwealth. 

Quotes

“I was pleased to participate in Commonwealth Week in London. Canada is a proud member of the Commonwealth and is committed to working with its fellow members to broaden shared understanding, build consensus and drive action for a more democratic, inclusive and prosperous future for all.” 

- Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs 

Quick facts

  • The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, most of which have historical links to the United Kingdom and which represent more than 2.7 billion people on 5 continents. 

  • The Commonwealth’s mandate is to serve the political, economic and social development needs of its member countries while providing a forum for consensus-building and collective action on global issues. Last year, members celebrated the Commonwealth’s 75th anniversary. 

  • Secretary-General-Elect Shirley Botchwey was chosen by the member countries’ leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October 2024 to lead the Commonwealth. She will take office on April 1, 2025. 

  • The Commonwealth of Learning was established by the leaders at the CHOGM in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1987 and is headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia. 

  • Canada is the largest contributor to and a proud supporter of the Commonwealth of Learning. 

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