International Day of Democracy

Mr. Chair,

Ambassadors,

Mr. Assistant Secretary General,

Permanent Observers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We welcome the inclusion of this item on the order of business.

We thank Secretary Guerrero and Messrs. Stein and Garret for their remarks.

According to reliable and regular opinion studies of recent years, there is a crisis of trust in the institutional political actors of the Americas and, at the same time, an erosion of the understanding and appreciation of democracy itself.

As the delegation of Panama noted, and just now my colleague from the United States, those data and others readily available to the public present us with a picture that goes beyond simple popular dissatisfaction.

It would seem that we are facing a “democratic recession” that threatens the stability and the future of our nations.

This recession has many dimensions, including economic crises that deepen inequalities, shortcomings in the delivery of certain public goods such as equality and justice, and a decline in government performance that erodes public trust.

The Dominican Republic enthusiastically joined the declaration read at the start of this meeting because we recognize this situation and see the need for collective action to strengthen institutions and restore trust in them.

Ambassadors,

Democracy is more than a form of government; it is a system of values, a commitment to liberty, equality and justice.

To strengthen it, and to keep authoritarianism from being seen as an option, it is essential to restore trust in the institutions that sustain it.

But we need more than words.

We need concrete actions to halt and reverse the democratic recession in our region.

This mission requires close attention to the many challenges that beset our democracies.

The importance of addressing the challenges to democracy today cannot be underestimated, especially in the face of phenomena such as disinformation, populism, extremism and, lately, the added complexity of the digital age.

Challenges such as political polarization, the deterioration of public institutions, the judicialization of politics and the lack of equitable access to opportunity can weaken the democratic foundations of our countries and impair the social contract on which they rest.

Since time is short, we wish to refer to only one of these threats: polarization, that centrifugal force that threatens to pull apart the social and political fabric of our States, affecting their stability and cohesion. It is without doubt one of the most pressing challenges facing democracy in the twenty-first century.

It is undeniable that polarization has a corrosive effect on the quality of democracy; it distorts the electoral exercise and erodes trust in institutions, elements fundamental to the well-being of society.

The fact is…

Democracy, with its inherent vitality, is a system that feeds on the diversity of opinions and the free competition of ideas.

Yet when polarization reaches critical extremes, the possibility of constructive dialogue is undermined, and what should be a crucible of points of view becomes an ideological battlefield.

Decision-making based on consensus is obstructed, and in its place emerge unilateral decisions that do not reflect the will of a plural society.

The most tangible result is seen in elections, where polarization not only divides the electorate but can cast doubt on the legitimacy of the process itself.

How, then, can we work to contain so disturbing a phenomenon? Here lies a shared responsibility that transcends borders and demands concerted action.

First, it is crucial to foster civic education, tolerance and respect for diversity of thought from the earliest stages of formal education.

Second, the media and technology companies must take on a more balanced and centered role, the former avoiding the sensationalism that so often feeds polarization, and the latter adopting ethical rules and appropriate standards.

Third, political and diplomatic leaders have the moral and institutional duty to act as catalysts of unity, placing the interests of the nation above partisan agendas.

Allow me to stress, however, that this effort is also an invitation to civil society to take a more active part in public discourse, exercising its influence to ease tensions and to promote a culture of dialogue and consensus that flourishes within informed and engaged communities.

Mr. Chair,

Hence the significance of establishing in this Permanent Council a group of voluntary participation, devoted to analyzing and strengthening our democracies.

We, the Dominican Republic, made that proposal in this Permanent Council on May 30 of this year, at the special meeting on the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and later defended it in the negotiations of this summer's General Assembly.

We thank everyone for making our proposal their own and for the step we take today toward making it a reality.

Finally, we urge all member States to regard this proposal not as an optional act but as an ethical and political obligation in our common ambition for a more solid and resilient democratic future.

The success of this endeavor depends on our collective commitment.

Thank you very much.