City flies the flag for Commonwealth Day

The flag was flying as and landmarks were lit up in blue and yellow as Sunderland marked Commonwealth Day.

The Commonwealth flag flying at City Hall yesterday was one of 900 flying across the world in 54 member countries.

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2022 was 'Delivering a Common Future' and highlighted how the 54 countries in the Commonwealth are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.

To mark the day in Sunderland, The Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Henry Trueman, raised the flag and recorded a personal message to be shared online.

He has also recorded a video reading out the Commonwealth Affirmation, with the Mayoress, Cllr Dorothy Trueman

reciting the response.

The Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear Mrs Susan Winfield will also be sharing a special Commonwealth Day message on the council’s social media sites.

Cllr Trueman, said: "We can all be proud that Sunderland is part of the collective expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, and that today we celebrate the values of international friendship and co-operation which are shared throughout all member countries. "The Commonwealth is a family built around these shared values and this is reflected in this year’s theme as we work together for a world that delivers a common future and serves a common good."

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent countries and home to 2.5billion people in both advanced economies and developing countries.