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The UN supports the International Conference of New or Restored Democracies (ICNRD)

In New York, on 17 December, Mr. Roland Rich attended the meeting hosted by Qatar to discuss the work of the International Conference of New or Restored Democracies. Since the first Conference, held in Manila in 1988, the intergovernmental process has grown into a global movement bringing together more than 100 countries to enhance the promotion and consolidation of democracy at all levels.

The Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, in a message delivered by Ms Angela Kane, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, reiterated the support of the United Nations system to the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies highlighting that "a democratic system also contributes to improve forms of conflict management, and it promotes equitable social and economic development." The full text of the Secretary-General’s message can be found on http://www.un.org/democracyfund/XSpeechesNStatements.htm.

In 2008, the twentieth anniversary of the First Conference will be commemorated. At the suggestion of the ICNRD, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution fixing 15 September as the International Day of Democracy. This is the date at which the Inter-Parliamentary Union adopted the Universal Declaration on Democracy.

UNDEF is currently receiving applications for its second round of funding disbursements. UNDEF hopes to support initiatives in many of the countries that participate in the ICNRD.

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