Helsinki, 29 March 2023
The Summit for Democracy will convene decision-makers from almost a hundred countries to discuss ways to promote democracy. Also countries who are taking their first steps towards a stable democracy have been invited to attend the Summit, which will be held from 29 to 30 March.
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö will represent Finland at the Summit for Democracy, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will address the Summit in a video message.
Among the topics of the virtual sessions are participation of special groups in decision-making, media freedom, and equality questions.
Finland has especially highlighted the themes of inclusion and equality, the rule of law, and technology and democracy. The leaders of the participating countries will also adopt a declaration at the Summit.
Democracy delivers human rights
The Summit for Democracy was held for the first time in 2021 on the initiative of President of the United States Joe Biden. Finland, too, made commitments at the first Summit to promote democracy globally and at home.
Finland has prepared within the framework of its long-standing democracy work a National Democracy Programme 2025, national measures to fight corruption, Finland’s democracy work in the multilateral system, and Finland’s support for democracy and the rule of law.
Finland has compiled a report on the progress of its commitments. The report was a collaboration between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (Demo Finland), the Rule of Law Centre operating under the University of Helsinki, and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra.
Source – Finnish Government
Swedish PM taking part in global democracy summit
Stockholm, 29 March 2023
The second Summit for Democracy is taking place on 29–30 March. Sweden is represented at the virtual summit and several side events by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.
In addition to delivering a national address, Mr Kristersson is taking part in a plenary session on how democracy strengthens institutions. French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema are also participating in the panel.
Sweden is hosting several side events in both Washington DC and Lusaka in connection with the Summit, with a focus on research showing how democracies outperform autocracies and the link between democracy and gender equality.
At the Summit, the participating countries will also present the commitments made at the first Summit for Democracy in 2021 and adopt a joint declaration.
Regional summits will also be held in Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, Zambia and the United States. Sweden will be represented by Ms Liljestrand, who will virtually attend a meeting in The Hague, Netherlands on media freedom.
Source – Swedish Government