Grenada is known for many things: the beauty of the country, world-renowned for its spices, the cultural richness of its Carnival and the warmth of its people. The country has also played a critical role in the development and strength of the Commonwealth and on the world stage.
Grenada can trace its Commonwealth roots to the very day of independence, 7 February 1974. On that day, the then Commonwealth Secretary-General, Arnold Smith, revealed a connection with the country: "My father was born and brought up, the fourth generation of Smiths, in Grenada".
Other Grenadians have also contributed to the growth and focus of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The late Sir Alistair McIntyre, who was then serving as the Secretary-General of CARICOM, was asked to chair the first Commonwealth Expert Group.
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Sir Shridath Ramphal, who served as Commonwealth Secretary-General from 1975-1990, noted: "The McIntyre Group signalled the start of what was to become a new dimension of the Commonwealth at work." Adding that:
"The Commonwealth framework in which our groups were created has not anyway circumscribed their broader international scope. They addressed matters of worldwide relevance and their mandate was essentially to provide measures not for Commonwealth application but which the Commonwealth could offer as a basis or on which global consensus could build."
The Hon Emmalin Pierre, a former Minister of Government in Grenada, is an alumna of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and earned a diploma in Youth Development Work. She was instrumental in establishing the youth policy framework, setting priorities at the 2015 regional meetings, and promoting Commonwealth perspectives in the UN and other international spaces.
Grenada's exceptional influence
The Commonwealth's commitment to small states is due in part to events and advocacy by Grenada. At the heads of government meeting in New Delhi, events in Grenada highlighted the vulnerabilities of the world's small nations. In 1984, Commonwealth Leaders asked the Secretary-General to set in motion a wide-ranging study of the needs of small states.
Continued Commonwealth partnership
That proud history continues today as the country continues to be an involved and treasured member of the Commonwealth Family. While not an exhaustive list, Grenada continues to benefit from and contribute to the Commonwealth.
It was noted in 1985 that officials from Grenada were amongst the first to be trained in using a new debt recording and management system. Today, Grenada still uses a state-of-the-art version of that software, now called the Commonwealth Meridian, to manage its public debt. Most recently updated in 2019, the Commonwealth Meridian software is used in 38 countries – a figure which is growing.
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The Commonwealth has also supported the Government of Grenada in developing a robust resource mobilisation strategy to help the island nation meet its climate goals. The strategy looks at the country's current economic, regulatory, and institutional context and proposes to bridge the funding gap by mobilising resources.
Athletes from Grenada, including a para-athlete, competed in four sports at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023.
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Election officials have also participated in the electoral training hosted by the Secretariat. During the workshop in March, the Chief Election Officer of Grenada. participated in a panel discussion to share insights into the role of leadership in building and maintaining confidence in the electoral process in the Caribbean.
Last month, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, welcomed the new High Commissioner for Grenada to the UK, HE Rachér Croney, to Marlborough House.
Media contact
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Charmaine Wright Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- +44 20 7747 6242 | E-mail
