The Commonwealth has expressed its willingness to support Bangladesh in advancing political and constitutional reforms ahead of the country’s next general election, scheduled for 2026.

During a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in London on Tuesday, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said the organisation stood ready to assist if requested by Dhaka.

“We would be happy to provide support, particularly in areas of constitutional reform, should Bangladesh seek it,” said Botchwey, who assumed the Commonwealth’s top post earlier this year.

Botchwey noted that strengthening democracy and good governance is one of the Commonwealth’s key priorities over the next five years, alongside expanding intra-Commonwealth trade and enhancing support for member states grappling with climate change.

Highlighting the organisation’s economic ambition, she said annual trade among Commonwealth nations currently stands at around USD 850 billion, with plans to boost it to USD 1 trillion.

“Many of our members are small states vulnerable to climate change. One of our goals is to improve their access to climate finance,” she added.

Professor Yunus, who is leading a reform-focused caretaker administration, welcomed the Commonwealth’s engagement and urged it to harness the potential of youth and sports as instruments of social change.

“Sports are more than entertainment — they are a form of social orientation. We are encouraging athletes to become entrepreneurs. It could also be a meaningful way for the Commonwealth to leave a lasting legacy,” Yunus said.

In response, the Secretary-General announced that the Commonwealth will host a youth programme in Dhaka later this month, noting that nearly 1.5 billion people — more than half of the Commonwealth’s total population — are under the age of 30.

She also revealed plans to revamp the Commonwealth scholarship scheme, an initiative Professor Yunus suggested should be prioritised to foster educational opportunities across member states.

Among those present at the meeting were Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfe Siddiqi, Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, and High Commissioner to the UK Abida Islam.

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