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Japanese Donation Bolsters U.N. Democracy Fund

In the noon media briefing by Michele Montas, spokesperson for the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Japan’s contribution to the UN Democracy Fund was highlighted in the following terms: "The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) received a $10 million contribution from the Government of Japan yesterday. That makes Japan one of the largest contributors to the Fund, along with the United States, India and Qatar. The UN Democracy Fund is currently financing more than a hundred projects around the world aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and supporting democratic civil society organizations. Japan’s donation adds to the Fund's current capacity of $65 million, and will be used to finance a new round of projects, expected to be advertised in the spring." In his letter to Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of Japan before the United Nations, Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon thanked the Japanese Government for its generous contribution and agreed with Japan in the mutual belief "that democracy-building is essential to ensure peace and stability" and deeply appreciated Japan's leadership "in promoting human security and freedom". Japan is donor number 28 to the Democracy Fund.