Commonwealth ministerial meetings are one of the principal forums for Commonwealth inter-governmental consultation and decision-making. To this end, Commonwealth Education Ministers meet every three years to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest, to formulate policy on key developmental issues and to build consensus at a high political level within the Commonwealth. As such, the CCEM will contribute to broadening the Commonwealth goals of development, democracy and human rights as set out in the Commonwealth Secretariat Strategic Plan.

The theme for this year’s 18CCEM is ‘Education in the Commonwealth: bridging the gap as we accelerate towards achieving internationally agreed goals’.