Member States of the Community’s Governing Council convened in Santiago, Chile, for the 28^th session of the Governing Council. The event was hosted by Chile – Member State of the Community’s Governing Council and the current Chair of the Community’s Executive Committee.

Member States and civil society representatives discussed the Community’s work in relation to its strategic objectives for 2018-2023, Governing Council membership renewal process, and Member States’ engagement in promoting and protecting shared democratic  values.

Secretary General Thomas E. Garrett presented the 2017 SG Annual Report and Members States  provided an overview of their multilateral engagement in promoting and protecting the principles of the Warsaw Declaration, including the activities related to the 38^th session of the UN Human Rights Council, 2018 Regular Session of the ECOSOC NGO Committee, 2018 UN High Level Forum on Sustainable Development and the 73^rd session of UNGA.