About the CoD
The Community of Democracies (CoD) is a global intergovernmental coalition of states working together to promote, defend, and strengthen democracy worldwide. The CoD is comprised of the Governing Council Member States that support adherence to common democratic values and standards outlined in the CoD founding document- Warsaw Declaration.
The Community of Democracies provides Member States with a forum in which to work together to learn from each other and identify global priorities for diplomatic action to advance and defend democracy, including through collective diplomatic action at the UN and in other multilateral fora. In addition to facilitating joint diplomatic action, the Community provides an international forum that facilitates mutual dialogue, learning, and exchange of experiences among Members.
Historical Background
Born as a common initiative of former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Polish Foreign Minister Bronisław Geremek, the Community of Democracies was founded at the Ministerial Conference held in Warsaw, Poland, where high-level delegations from 106 countries adopted the Warsaw Declaration Toward a Community of Democracies.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Community of Democracies gradually developed from a conference initiative into a global intergovernmental coalition of democratic states and a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and discussion.
Mission, Vision and Values
The Community of Democracies is built on the commitment to shared democratic values enshrined in its founding document, the Warsaw Declaration, adopted on June 27, 2o00. The Warsaw Declaration outlines 19 principles for the effective establishment and consolidation of democracy. Nearly 25 years since its adoption, it provides a roadmap to democracy for countries undergoing a democratic transition and a checklist for established democracies.
Vision: A world where every nation respects and upholds the core democratic values, principles, and standards of the Warsaw Declaration.
Mission: The Community of Democracies is a global intergovernmental coalition committed to taking concerted action to advance and protect democratic freedoms, strengthen democratic institutions, and expand political participation. Governing Council Member States do this by abiding by core democratic principles in practice, supporting one another in meeting the objectives they set for themselves, responding to threats to democracy, and working closely with civil society.
Strategic Objectives
Strategic Objective 1: Strengthen adherence to the principles of the Warsaw Declaration in countries within and outside the Community.
Strategic Objective 2: Increase dialogue among diverse stakeholders within and outside the Community on challenges and opportunities to promote and strengthen democratic processes and institutions.
Read more in the CoD Strategic Plan 2024-2028
