2007 Bamako Ministerial

Community of Democracies Bamako Ministerial Conference
The 4^th Community of Democracies Ministerial met in Bamako, Mali, November 14-17, under Mali’s successful chairmanship. Highlights included focus on strengthening democratic governance as an essential means to reduce poverty and sustainable development, agreement to create a Community of Democracies Permanent Secretariat, and the launch of initiatives such as the “Diplomat’s Handbook for Democratic Development Support.” The Permanent Secretariat, which will be hosted by the Government of Poland, will help the CD coordinate its democracy and human rights promotion work. Beyond the theme of Democracy and Development, the Ministerial outcome document and roundtable discussions drew needed attention to the role of civil society in promoting democracy and the obligation of governments not to impede the peaceful operations and activities of non-governmental and civil society organizations. At the closing of the Bamako Ministerial, Portugal assumed the chairmanship of the Community.

United States Involvement
The Community of Democracies is a unique global platform for democracy promotion. In his address to the Ministerial, Deputy Secretary Negroponte stressed the responsibility of democracies to work with civil society in defending the rights of people everywhere, including in Burma, Cuba and Zimbabwe. He noted the importance of strengthening the role of the Community of Democracies within multilateral fora, and emphasized each country’s responsibility to carry its democratic values into the United Nations system. Ambassador Danilovich of the Millennium Challenge Corporation highlighted the need to assist countries to achieve democratic reforms through direct financial assistance, positive initiatives, and indirect capacity building. As part of its commitment to democracy and development, the United States announced a $7.9 million donation to the United Nations Democracy Fund in 2008.

Bamako Consensus Document
The Convening Group, which serves as the CD executive committee, developed a preparatory draft of the Bamako Consensus on “Democracy, Development, and Poverty Reduction.” The membership of the Community amended and adopted this draft at the Bamako Ministerial. The Bamako Consensus affirms democratic governance as an essential means to reduce poverty, supports the rights of NGOs to conduct peaceful activities, promotes internet freedom, supports partnerships with the private sector, and encourages education for democracy. The Bamako Consensus recognizes that increasing the role of women in society, combating corruption, and strengthening democratic institutions help to integrate democracy and development policy. It also recognizes the importance of further developing corporate social responsibility through the creation of a human rights code of conduct for the private sector. To reenergize the UN Democracy Caucus, the Bamako Consensus calls on the CD to mobilize under the auspices of the Caucus and coordinate common positions on democracy and human rights issues. The International Steering Committee of the non-governmental process of the Community of Democracies presented its agenda and recommendations for 2007-2009 to the CD Convening Group and the Bamako Ministerial. The NGO community fully participated in plenary sessions of the Ministerial as well as the regional and thematic roundtable sessions.

Roundtable Discussions
A series of thematic and regional panels chaired by different members of the Community of Democracies identified key areas for action, emphasizing the critical importance of democracy to sustainable development and poverty reduction, and encouraged countries to provide incentives through development assistance programs to countries governing democratically.

Current and Future Projects of the Community of Democracies
The working group on Democratic Governance and Civil Society produced “A Diplomat’s Handbook for Democratic Development Support,” to facilitate collaboration of diplomats and civil society to promote good governance. Additionally, the International Center for Democratic Transition (ICDT) is working with the Community of Democracies to compile guidelines on best practices for NGO-government relations. In thematic and regional panels, delegates agreed that the Organization of American States – African Union Democracy Bridge should be expanded and replicated by other regional groups. States encouraged implementation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, cooperation under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the revitalization of the United Nations Democracy Caucus. Poverty, illiteracy, and terrorism still remain great regional challenges to democracy. The Ministerial recognized that while elections are meaningful, democratic institutions, a free and independent press, an independent judiciary, and respect for human rights are essential in securing democracy.

--11/15/07  Press Conference in Bamako, Mali; John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State; Bamako, Mali
--11/15/07  Remarks at the Community of Democracies Ministerial, Inaugural Session; John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State; Bamako, Mali