Community of Democracies (CoD) and Organization of American States (OAS) to Cooperate on Democracy Promotion and Consolidation

The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Community of Democracies (COD) will work together to promote and to consolidate democracy in the hemisphere, following the agreement signed on May 30, 2024, at the headquarters of the hemispheric Organization in Washington DC.

During the signing ceremony, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said, “I look forward to continuing our cooperation with Community of Democracies to support our shared democratic values. We will continue to collaborate on outreach and democracy initiatives that promote inclusive participation in democratic processes, particularly strengthening the political participation of women, youth, and minority groups.” Moreover, he added, “I want to emphasize our commitment to democracy at the regional and global level, and we are sure that the partnership with Community of Democracies will help advance our efforts to protect and promote it.”

For his part, the Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, Thomas Garrett, said that, with the signing of the agreement, both Organizations “renew the intention to commit to the shared values of democracy and human rights and continue working together within this strategic partnership to promote and protect our shared democratic principles enshrined in the Warsaw Declaration and the Inter-American Democratic Charter.”

The areas of cooperation within the agreement will include, among others: promoting discussion and dialogue on the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the Warsaw Declaration, including substantive issues that represent a threat to democratic principles; collaboration on democracy initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially engaging and strengthening the democratic participation of youth; and supporting activities of the Voluntary Group for Follow-up of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Photo: OAS