«Summit for Democracy»
Online summit: Biden calls on democracies to cohesion
US President Joe Biden at the opening of the virtual “Summit for Democracy”. Photo: Susan Walsh / AP / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Autocrats are on the rise, democracies are coming under increasing pressure. US President Biden wants to counteract this development – and strengthen democracies around the world.
US President Joe Biden has called on democratic governments around the world to stick together in the face of the rise of authoritarian systems.
Autocrats justify repressive practices “as a more efficient way to cope with today’s challenges,” said Biden on Thursday at the start of his two-day virtual “summit for democracy” with representatives from more than 100 governments.
“As a global community for democracy, we must stand up for the values that unite us,” said Biden. “We must stand up for justice and the rule of law, for freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, for all innate human rights of every individual.”
The main themes at the summit will be the defense of democracy against authoritarianism, the fight against corruption and the promotion of respect for human rights. In addition to government officials, activists, business representatives and other members of civil society are invited. For Germany, the new Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) took part in the start of the summit.
Scholz sees democratic values worldwide under increasing pressure. At the summit, Scholz emphasized that it was all the more important for the existing democracies to stand up for these values, as government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit announced. “In the face of increasing nationalism and right-wing populism, as well as disinformation campaigns and hate speech, we must strengthen our own democratic institutions internally and externally. But we also have to show that democratic systems serve people’s needs and rights more effectively and sustainably. “
Millions of dollars to strengthen democracies
Biden announced an American “Democratic Renewal Initiative” to strengthen democracies around the world. According to the White House, the US intends to provide up to 424 million US dollars (around 375 million euros) for this in the coming year. The money should be used, for example, to support freedom of the press or fight corruption, said Biden.
There was criticism of the White House invitation list prior to the online meeting. Some states where democracy is under pressure can be found there, others not. For example, the Philippines are on the list. Turkey and – as the only country in the EU – Hungary were left out.
The White House stressed that an invitation to the summit should not be equated with a seal of approval for democracy in the country. The criteria by which the states were selected remained unclear. China and Russia are also not invited to the online summit.
Before the meeting, China criticized the US for inviting Taiwan. Criticism of the format also came from Russia. Biden has made the defense of democracy against authoritarian tendencies a central part of his national security strategy worldwide. Biden had announced the summit for democracy in August. There will be another summit in a year to present the progress made in meeting the commitments.
After the opening of the meeting, two plenary sessions of heads of state and government were held on Thursday in camera. They should be led by Biden or by the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The second day of the summit was to begin with a speech by US Secretary General António Guterres. The online meeting should end on Friday at 1:45 p.m. (local time / 7.45 p.m. CET) after Biden’s final remarks.