The new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth has urged the bloc to stand in unison with countries daily targeted by attacks.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey made the call in her inaugural address and pledged to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter, delivered on Wednesday.

Botchwey assumes the reins as Secretary-General of the 56-member bloc of nations amid growing global tensions and shifting alliances.

She recognises the frayed multilateralism and priorities such as increased defence expenditures, unemployment and reduced social protection could have a devastating impact on the lives of the 2.7 billion citizens of the Commonwealth.

Botchwey, who is also the first African woman to head the Commonwealth, wants member states not to relent and to give multilateralism a chance.

"The value of our Commonwealth stands in bold relief in a time like this. Our ambitions cannot be limited prescriptions. As an organisation based on common values, we can work for our common being as a multilateralism of the willing, and we must begin by standing with those member states that are daily targets of attack. We must seize the moment to realise the transformation that our societies seek."

The Commonwealth is banking on its billion-dollar market access to create equal opportunities, and this is with the involvement of the citizens.

"I am determined that we will continue to empower our women and young people with the tools they need, the knowledge and opportunities needed to succeed. Closing the digital gap means opening doors to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. It also means innovation and strategic partnerships, especially with the private sector and research institutions, in the face of the greatest challenges of our time. The impacts are already devastating."

The Commonwealth makes up a third of the world's population and more than a quarter of the United Nations' membership.