US hosts the Summit for Democracy 2021 virtually in Washington D.C.

News, US December 10, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. President Joe Biden convened the Summit for Democracy in Washington. The two-day virtual event that began on December 9 was hosted by the White House and included more than 100 leaders of democratic countries as well as many civil society members from private sectors.

President Biden stated in his speech that, “In the face of sustained and alarming challenges to democracy, universal human rights, and all around the world, democracy needs champions”.

Biden also added that “American democracy is in a constant struggle to live up to its highest ideals and to heal our divisions and recommit ourselves to the founding idea of our nation captured in our Declaration of Independence, not unlike many of your documents.”

“The United States is committed to strengthening our democracy at home and to working with parties around the world — around the globe to prove that democracies can deliver for people on issues that matter most to them,” Biden said.

The victual gathering of leaders is focused upon three main objectives:

Defending Against Authoritarianism
Addressing and Fighting Corruption
Promoting Respect for Human Rights

According to a fact-sheet released by the White House, the U.S. plans to provide up to $424.4 million toward the initiatives focusing on supporting free and independent media, fighting corruption, bolstering democratic reformers, advancing technology for democracy, and defending free and fair elections and political processes for the participant countries. These funds will be subject to congressional appropriation.

On December 9, NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg also joined the virtual meeting of world leaders to address the challenges and opportunities facing democracies.

President Biden stated that the U.S. and its like-minded allies are focused on showing the world that Democracy is a system far superior to Autocracy. Although President Biden did not mention China or Russia by name, it was evident from his speech that the conference was subjected to counter the rise of the China-Russia bloc.

Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin were not invited to the virtual event; however, Taiwan’s leadership was extended the invitation, which resulted in a strong reaction from Beijing.

In addition to Russia and China, several other countries including Turkey and Bangladesh were not invited uninvited to the Biden’s Summit for Democracy. In South Asia, Pakistan chose to stay out, despite being one of the invitees. In a statement issued by the foreign ministry of Pakistan, it was not explicitly mentioned that Pakistan has declined the invitation to attend the summit but it was established that despite holding high regard for the democratic practices, Pakistan would not be a part of the virtual event. The decision from Islamabad is subjected to send a strong message to the U.S. about Pakistan’s objections to the lack of high-level engagement from the Biden Administration. Pakistan’s decision to decline the invitation was duly lauded by Beijing.