Baroness Patricia Scotland has been chosen as the new secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced today after hours of discussions.

She was unanimously elected by the 53 countries forming part of the Commonwealth, and is the first woman to hold the role.

“I am incredibly proud to be the first woman to use the post,  and I am incredibly proud that the Maltese Prime Minister instigated the first woman’s conference...

“I wish to put the women’s agenda very strongly on the table,” Baroness Scotland said.

Outgoing secretary-general Kamalseh Sharma jokingly said that he will be “a hard act to follow.”

Baroness Scotland called it a privilege to be entrusted with one of the most burdensome roles in the world.

“I am incredibly proud to be one of the candidates, the other two candidates have much to offer, and I am humbled to be chosen in their stead.”

Calling herself a “child of the Commonwealth,” Baroness Scotland said issues such as climate change, education, science and technology “to make this a better world for our children.”

“I will use every fibre in my body to develop equality for all of our citizens,” she pledged.

Baroness Scotland is a British barrister  and jurist who served in many ministerial positions within the UK government , most notably as the Attorney General for England and Wales  and Advocate General for Northern Ireland. 

Photos Michael Camilleri