Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has highlighted sport’s power to improve lives and said for too long, sport has been viewed primarily through the lens of competition or entertainment.

“But throughout the Commonwealth, we know that sport is also an investment in people and a powerful force for healthier communities, greater inclusion, stronger economies and sustainable development,” she said.

Commonwealth sports ministers last week agreed to increase cooperation on sport to bolster access to funding and for development and peace at the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, held on the eve of the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

The meeting brought together sports ministers, senior officials and representatives from 56 member countries, as well as observers from across the Commonwealth sport movement, including athletes, sporting bodies, youth representatives, civil society and development partners.

The outcomes from the Sports Ministers Meeting are expected to inform discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026, the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta and the centenary Commonwealth Games in India in 2030, according to the Commonwealth.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of an ambitious outcome statement, reaffirming ministers’ shared commitment to leverage sport to promote inclusion, sustainable development and stronger cooperation across the Commonwealth.

The Ministers called for dedicated funding, stronger partnerships and capacity-building and advocated for greater investment in community sport and physical activity, recognising its role in improving health, supporting young people, empowering women and girls, creating jobs, driving innovation and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General reaffirmed their commitment to harnessing the power of sport to create opportunities for young people, advance gender equality, strengthen social cohesion and build a fairer, more prosperous Commonwealth for future generations.

“The partnerships and commitments forged through this meeting will help translate that vision into meaningful outcomes for the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion people,” she said.

Hosted by the Scottish Government, the meeting was chaired by Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Sport.

Emphasising the contribution of sport to our communities, Todd said the Scottish Government passionately believes in the power of sport and the 12th Commonwealth Sport Ministers Meeting has affirmed this.

“Sport not only contributes to a healthier lifestyle, but also improves skills and confidence, addresses social isolation and loneliness, enhances community cohesion, and supports economic growth. Sport also drives equality outcomes, and I was pleased to make Scotland a signatory to the Brighton + Helsinki Declaration to re-affirm our commitment to improving access for women and girls in sport,” Todd said, noting that they look forward to progressing this work and closing participation gaps so that everyone can realise the benefits of sport and physical activity.

The signing of the Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Scottish Government marked an important step forward.

The declaration supports action to advance women and girls in sport and improve access to leadership, participation and decision-making at all levels. Its adoption reinforced the Commonwealth’s shared commitment to making sport open, safe and inclusive for everyone.

Convened ahead of the 23rd Commonwealth Games, the meeting considered the future of the Commonwealth Games and how major sporting events can be delivered in more sustainable ways.

The Ministers described the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as a key opportunity to rebuild confidence in major sporting events, while also recognising the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta and the centenary Commonwealth Games in India in 2030 as platforms to support young leaders, strengthen partnerships and bring Commonwealth countries closer together through sport.

The Commonwealth Games are a major international multi-sport event held every four years involving countries that are part of the Commonwealth.

The 2026 Games - taking place between 23 July and 2 August - are being held in Glasgow, Scotland and are the 23rd edition of a competition that first started in 1930 as the British Empire Games.