Democratic Tide Ebbing in Too Many Places, Secretary-General Says in Message to Warsaw Dialogue for Civilization

(Delayed for technical reasons.)

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy, held in Warsaw from 22 to 24 October:

Your Excellency, Mr. Grzegorz Schetyna, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland, distinguished participants,

I send warm wishes to the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy, and thank the Government of Poland for hosting it yet again.

A decade ago, a wave of democracy was still sweeping the world.  But, then the tide turned.  Some democracies started breaking down — through coups, or more gradually.  Authoritarian rule deepened.  Civil society came under attack, with restrictions spreading like a virus across every continent.

In too many places, the democratic tide is ebbing.  The calls of so many people across the Arab world for freedom and democracy have gone largely unheeded by their Governments.  At the same time, we confront profound challenges that require us to deploy all the fundamental components of democracy — rule of law, accountable institutions, a strong civil society and the freedoms of expression and assembly.

We face the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War, rising violent extremism and unacceptable gaps between rich and poor.  And we need to work with speed and resolve to meet the new Sustainable Development Goals we have set ourselves for the next 15 years.  Democratic principles will be crucial in ensuring access to resources, health care, justice and education, decent work opportunities and inclusive institutions.

I thank all participants in the Warsaw Dialogue for helping to strengthen our efforts.  Together, we can turn the tide, leave no one behind and build lives of dignity for all.