San Salvador

22 July 2015

Secretary-General's video message for the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies Concluding the Two-Year Presidency of El Salvador, 22-24 July

Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary-General

Your Excellency, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, President of the Republic of El Salvador, Your Excellency Hugo Martinez, Chair of the Community of Democracies,
Madame Secretary General Maria Leissner, Excellencies, Parliamentarians, Distinguished delegates and participants from civil society, the private Sector and youth groups,

I am encouraged that so many of you have gathered at this critical time for democracy worldwide.

Let thank the Government of El Salvador for its dynamic leadership of the Community of Democracies.

When I visited El Salvador earlier this year, I saw your efforts to keep your country's institutions open, democratic and responsive to the needs of your people.

You have sought to bring the same vision to your presidency of this Community – including the link between democracy and development.

Today, the Community confronts a range of challenges. Globally, democracy is on the rise. But in some countries around the world, democratic progress is receding.

Democratic institutions are being eroded. Judicial independence and press freedom are under attack. Space for civil society is diminishing – or even disappearing.

The Community of Democracies and the United Nations stand together in facing these challenges. Democratic values underpin our work for human rights, the rule of law, and a free and active civil society.

As you mark this 15th anniversary and the UN marks its 70th, I look to you as a key partner in implementing new development goals … countering extremism … and working towards justice and dignity for all.

Together, we can show that democracy is a universal ideal that goes hand in hand with human solidarity.

Thank you.