The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.
Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.
Each of these milestones, and many others like them, represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.
And the Commonwealth's growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future, working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.
The Commonwealth family is strongest when we are connected through friendship.
As I've said before, the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires.
Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time.
This is true both at the level of nations and indeed at the local level.
We recognize today that our diversity is our greatest strength.
The Commonwealth represents a third of humanity from all regions of the world, with all the different experiences, knowledge and aspirations that this brings.
