Washington DC, 23 March 2023 (TDI): The United States (US) will co-host the second Summit for Democracy with the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Zambia scheduled on March 29-30.
This official Summit side event is expected to feature notable government officials, corporate executives, and civil society leaders. They will be sharing their insights on the role that companies can play in bolstering democratic resilience.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Representative to the UN, will lead the US delegation to Costa Rica for the 2023 Summit for Democracy.
Building on the first Summit for Democracy held in December 2021, this gathering will highlight how democracies deliver for their citizens and are best equipped to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
In addition, the second Summit for Democracy will assemble world leaders in a virtual, plenary format, followed by hybrid gatherings in each of the co-host countries with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector.
This series of events and reports round out two years of ongoing work focused on the state of democracy in the world, the impact and governance of technology in that context, and approaches to bolstering human rights globally.
Agenda of 28 March, Thematic Day
On Tuesday, 28 March 2023, the US Government will host a variety of Cabinet- and Sub-Cabinet- level thematic events to spotlight key Summit themes which are as follows:
- Partnering for Democracy: New Approaches for Reform
- A Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine
- The Complex Path to Achieving Democratic Dividends
- A Conversation with Deputy US Attorney General Lisa Monaco on Defending the Rule of Law against Hostile Nation States
- Anti-Corruption as a Cornerstone of a Fair, Accountable, and Democratic Economy
- Strengthening Unions, Safeguarding Democracy
- The Status of Women is the Status of Democracy
- The 2023 Forum on Business and Democracy
- Confronting Hate: Tackling Hate-Fueled Violence as a Threat to Democracy
These events will explore various topics related to democracy, human rights, governance, peace, economic growth, labor, and gender equity.
Agenda of 29 March, Plenary Day
The Summit for Democracy will take place on 29 March 2023 and will be fully virtual. The 5 co-hosts, which include the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and Zambia, will each host a thematic plenary session.
The day will begin with joint opening remarks by the co-host leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The plenary sessions will focus on democracy delivering economic growth and shared prosperity, justice for all, strong institutions, global challenges, and inclusion and equality. Each session will be hosted by a different co-host leader.
Here is a breakdown of each co-host country expected to host which plenary topic at the Summit for Democracy:
- Democracy Delivering Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity – Hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea
- Democracy Delivering Justice for All – Hosted by Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands.
- Democracy Delivering Strong Institutions – Hosted by President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.
- Democracy Delivering on Global Challenges – Hosted by President Joseph R. Biden of the United States.
- Democracy Delivering Inclusion and Equality – Hosted by President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica.
Each of these leader-level plenary sessions will be followed by spotlight interventions by civil society figures who are experts in the respective topics.
Agenda of 30 March, Co-Host Event Day
On 30 March 2023, each of the Summit for Democracy’s five co-host countries will lead an in-person or hybrid minister-level regional gathering on a core Summit theme with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector.
- The US will host an event on advancing technology for democracy, which will have three sessions.
The first session will focus on advancing democracy and internet freedom in a digital age. It will be followed by a second session which will be about countering the misuse of technology and the rise of digital authoritarianism.
Finally, the third session will discuss shaping emerging technologies to ensure respect for human rights and democratic principles.
- Costa Rica will host events focusing on the role of youth in political and democratic spaces.
- The Netherlands will host an event on media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy and;
- The Republic of Korea will host an event on challenges and progress in addressing corruption.
- The Republic of Zambia will be discussing the importance of credible elections as a foundation for democratic governance.
In a nutshell, the summit will be officially closed by the Vice-President of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango.
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