Rwandans are partaking in the annual observance of Commonwealth Day, formerly recognised as Empire Day, aligning with other nations to honour the unity and diversity within the Commonwealth Nations.

Established in 1977, this celebration typically falls on the first Monday of March. This year, Rwanda will commemorate the occasion on March 11 with a special focus on environmental resilience and marine sustainability, highlighting the crucial role of youth in climate action and conservation efforts.

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The event, which is being held at Nyandungu Eco Park, will echo the theme for Commonwealth Day 2024 and the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’

According to the Commonwealth website, this theme underscores the imperative for the 56 member countries to unite their strengths, fortify resilience, unlock potential, leverage the 'Commonwealth Advantage,' and cultivate a connected, digital Commonwealth.

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A statement from the Commonwealth website emphasizes the pivotal nature of this transformation in ensuring a resilient common future where no one is left behind.

The Commonwealth comprises 56 member states, the majority of which are former colonies of the British Empire, spanning across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific.

Despite its official status, Commonwealth Day is not observed as a public holiday in most member countries.