Written question asked by Ruth Jones (Labour) on Friday, 2 September 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 September 2022. It was answered by Vicky Ford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Gabon: Commonwealth

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she had with Commonwealth counterparts on the preparedness of Gabon to join the Commonwealth of Nations.

Answer: Gabon was welcomed into the Commonwealth family by a consensus of all member states at the Kigali Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June 2022. Preceding this, a detailed four step readiness assessment was undertaken by the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Scotland, submitted this assessment to Commonwealth Heads of Government for consideration at the CHOGM Leaders' Retreat. Gabon's accession was confirmed by the CHOGM Leaders Statement of 25 June. The UK welcomes Gabon's accession to the Commonwealth, demonstrating the continued relevance and vitality of this truly global association.

Secondary information