The fifth meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) Voluntary Group for Follow-up to the Inter-American Democratic Charter was held on April 1 at OAS headquarters in Washington D.C., with the participation of 17 member states. The meeting was led by the Chair of the Voluntary Group, Francisco Mora, Permanent Representative of the United States to the OAS.
The Voluntary Group took note of the information presented by the OAS Secretary for Strengthening Democracy, Francisco Guerrero, on the preparation of the symposium co-sponsored by George Washington University (GWU) on April 10 focused on democratic governance and human rights challenges, and on the meeting with the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter planned on May 30 in collaboration with the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). Member states also shared views regarding preparations for the 54th OAS General Assembly (June 26-28 in Asuncion, Paraguay).
Prior to discussion of the planned upcoming events, the Advisor and Special Envoy of the Presidency of Guatemala Francisco Villagrán de León gave remarks upon the Mission of Guatemala joining the Voluntary Group. He reaffirmed the OAS' pivotal role in the country's presidential transition last year and underscored the importance of the shared commitment of member states to the strengthening of democracy in the Americas. He was followed by the Section-Chief for Civil Society Relations in the OAS' Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity, Paulina Corominas, who delivered a presentation on the results of the informal meeting held with civil society organizations on March 22, 2024.
The Voluntary Group for Follow-up of the Inter-American Democratic Charter was created in response to the mandate of resolution AG/RES. 3004 (LIII-O/23) STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY , to foster dialogue, horizontal cooperation, and the exchange of best practices among its members, and to identify opportunities within the principles of the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter to strengthen their democracies. The next formal meeting of the Group will take place on April 26, 2024.
Reference: E-023/24
