On June 11, the United States will chair the Community of Democracies’ (CoD) 38th Governing Council Meeting in Warsaw, Poland. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Allison Peters will lead the U.S. delegation and will underscore the United States’ commitment to and continued collaboration with CoD member states on democracy and human rights priority issues, including a more open and resilient information environment, free and fair elections, defending civic space and freedom of association, and the meaningful inclusion of youth in civic and political processes. On June 10, she will join Guatemala’s Vice Foreign Minister Mónica Renata Bolaños Pérez for a side event focused on the advancement of Women in Politics.
During a reception hosted by the Government of Poland, Acting DAS Peters will recognize the forthcoming departure of Thomas Garrett, Secretary General of the CoD, who has provided steadfast leadership to the Community for the past seven years. Following the third Summit for Democracy in March 2024, she will also look ahead to the celebration of the Community’s 25th anniversary in June 2025 and call upon all members to continue advancing relevant Summit commitments and the Warsaw Declaration to promote and protect democratic principles, bolstering our democracies and respect for human rights at home and abroad. She will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to work closely with CoD co-founder Poland to lead the CoD into its next chapter.
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