U.S. to host 2nd democracy summit with South Korea, others in March
The U.S. administration of President Joe Biden said Tuesday it will host with South Korea and other countries a second “Summit for Democracy” in late March to promote democratic values over the authoritarianism of countries such as Russia and China.
The first such summit was held in December last year in virtual format, with Taiwan’s invitation fueling tensions between the United States and China as Beijing views the self-ruled democratic island as its own territory.
The invitees in the upcoming two-day summit from March 29 have not yet been made available, with world leaders expected to gather in a virtual format followed by hybrid gatherings in each country with representatives from the government, civil society and the private sector, according to the White House.
Transparent and accountable governance remain the best way to deliver lasting prosperity and peace, a joint statement by the five countries to host the event, which also include Costa Rica, the Netherlands and Zambia, said.
The regionally diverse group of co-hosts “underscores that democratic values are both a shared global aspiration and a shared global responsibility,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
During the summit, the participants will “showcase progress” on commitments made at the first summit and “reaffirm the vitality of the democratic model and collective action to meet the unprecedented challenges of our time,” she also said.
To promote democracy, the Biden administration said it has been supporting free and independent media, engaging in anti-corruption efforts, including targeting Russian oligarchs benefiting from Moscow’s war on Ukraine, and advancing an open and secure internet and free and fair elections.