International Day of Democracy

Guyana joins member states of the United Nations in celebrating the International Day of Democracy today 15 September.

The day which has been celebrated since 2007 is intended to promote and uphold principles of democracy throughout the world. Democracy is a universally recognized principle that seeks to provide an environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.

Guyana is a new and energetic democratic state that has the foundational principles of democracy enshrined in its constitution. The Government of Guyana, recently given a new mandate to govern in the interest of the peoples of Guyana, remains committed to the expansion and strengthening of democracy in the country.

Amidst the global celebrations, there are concerns about increasing challenges to democracy around the world and many of these challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence of the pandemic, more than 67 countries and territories have had elections postponed and more than 80 countries have declared a state of emergency. Yet during this period, 11 other countries have become democracies during the pandemic period.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has therefore rightly encouraged countries in marking International Day of Democracy this year to seize the moment to build a more equal and inclusive world, with full respect for human rights.