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Nauru in the Commonwealth

did you know?

  • Nauru became a member of the Commonwealth in 1968
  • Nauru gained its independence on the 31st of January 1968
  • Nauru has been involved in the Commonwealth Games since 1990, and has won 26 medals
  • Before he embarked on his political career, President Marcus Stephen won weightlifting medals at the Commonwealth Games in 1990 (gold, 2 silver), 1994 (3 gold), 1998 (3 gold) and 2002 (3 silver), as well as at the 1999 World Championships (silver)
  • With populations of about 10,000, Nauru and Tuvalu are the smallest Commonwealth member countries. They are also two of the world's smallest democracies
  • As a proportion of total government spending, the Government of Nauru is the highest spender on health in the Commonwealth, with about a quarter of its budget going to health services
  • Nauru was admitted as the 187th member state of the United Nations in September 1999.
  • In the Commonwealth Games Nauru continues to 'punch above its weight', consistently doing better overall than much larger nations
  • Nauruan society is essentially matrilineal. Social ties are mainly kept via the mother's side. Inheritance is traditionally matrilineal, with family property being inherited by the eldest daughter

Commonwealth Projects

Debt Recording and Management System (1997 - 2001)
The Commonwealth's Economic and Legal Advisory Services Division (ELASD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) initially co-funded this project to provide technical assistance to 8 South Pacific countries including Nauru. A CS-DRMS advisor (funded by ADB) based in Fiji provided support to the region and ELASD provided inputs in the form of initial assessments, review missions, and training workshops. Following the expiry of the agreement with the ADB in 1997, ELASD continued to support the region from London through regular hot-line support.

In June 2000, the Commonwealth's General Technical Assistance Services Division (GTASD) recruited a CS-DRMS advisor to serve CS-DRMS sites in the South Pacific region for an initial period of two years, with continuing support from ELASD. The advisor undertook a technical mission to Nauru in September 2001 and agreed on procedures for re-activating the debt project, especially with the installation of the new debt system CS-DRMS 2000+.


Nauru in the Commonwealth in Nauru
Commonwealth Secretariat
           

Nauru Organisations, Foreign Aid, Commonwealth

Foreign Aid

Nauru joined Asian Development Bank in 1991 and its receipts from the bank include one loan of $5 million and six technical assistance grants totaling $1.72 million.


Nauru Organisations, Regional Agency, Commonwealth

Regional Agency

New Zealand's International Aid & Development Agency (NZAID) funds the activities of several local NGOs.


Nauru Organisations, International, Commonwealth

International

Nauru joined UNESCO on 17 October 1996. The country is covered by the UNESCO Office in Apia, Samoa.