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Today, on Commonwealth Day, I am proud to celebrate the United Kingdom鈥檚 part in this diverse family of nations. It is fitting that in the group鈥檚 70th year our theme is 鈥楢 Connected Commonwealth鈥�. In an increasingly interlinked world, the bonds between Commonwealth citizens, organisations and governments provide a uniquely valuable network for international co-operation.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London last year, my fellow leaders and I agreed concrete steps to achieve a fairer, more secure, more prosperous and more sustainable future for the group鈥檚 2.4 billion people. As Chair-in-Office, the UK is now working with the whole Commonwealth to deliver those commitments.

Over the past year, our leadership of the new Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance with Vanuatu has encouraged 24 member countries to commit to specific actions to tackle marine plastic pollution. And over 2,300 women-owned businesses have signed up to the UK-funded Commonwealth 鈥楽he Trades鈥� programme, boosting female entrepreneurship.

The collective determination to deliver the Commonwealth鈥檚 vision for a common future has never been stronger. I continue to firmly and wholeheartedly believe in the good that this family of nations can do.