COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES CONVENING GROUP’ MINISTERIAL MEETING


New York, September 26th, 2003, at the 58th UN General Assembly


A Ministerial Meeting of the Convening Group of the Community of Democracies was held in New York, on September 26th, 2003, at the 58th regular session of the United Nations General Assembly. Representatives from Chile, the Czech Republic, India, the Republic of Korea, Mali, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, the United States and as special guest Italy, Peru and Romania, attended the meeting. The participants after reviewing the progress in the implementation of the Seoul Plan of Action and the role of the Community of Democracies in the UN, agreed to issue the following press release:


The members of the Convening Group of Community of Democracies reaffirm the commitment of “The Warsaw Declaration: Toward a Community of Democracies”, adopted at the First Ministerial Conference of The Community of Democracies, on June 27, 2000, and the “Seoul Plan of Action- Democracy: Investing for Peace and Prosperity”, adopted at the Second Ministerial Conference of The Community of Democracies, on November 12, 2002.


The Convening Group stressed the adherence of the Community of Democracies to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and fundamental principles of international law.


They also emphasized the interdependence between peace, development, human rights and democracy and reiterated the Community of Democracies’ commitment to the continuous development of democracy domestically and the promotion of democracy regionally and globally.


The members of the Convening Group recalled the Warsaw Declaration commitment that the Community of Democracies will collaborate on democracy-related issues in existing international and regional institutions, forming coalitions and caucuses to support resolutions and other international activities aimed at the promotion of democratic governance.


They acknowledged the mandate of the Seoul Ministerial Conference to the Convening Group, to meet regularly and be available to offer support and advice to participant states for actions taken within regional or international organizations. They also stressed the importance of active implementation of the Seoul Plan of Action by all countries which attended the Seoul Ministerial meeting of the Community of Democracies.


In close consultation and cooperation with the Community of Democracies’ interested participants, the Convening Group encourages the formation of coalitions and caucuses within the UN and other multilateral fora to support democracy. The members of the Convening Group of the Community of Democracies have decided to strengthen a process of consultation and coordination at the UN in order to encourage and facilitate the Community of Democracies’ interested participants’ actions dedicated to promote and defend democracy, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms protected under democracy. The Convening Group members will consult and coordinate actions, as appropriate, at the UN General Assembly, the ECOSOC and the Commission of Human Rights.


In particular, the Convening Group decided that they would meet during the 58th UN General Assembly to consider eventual joint initiatives.