Foreign ministry's update on CoD conference

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Foreign Ministry sends an update on the seventh Ministerial conference of Community of Democracies (CoD) expected April 29. "Among several hundred participants will be the President Tsakhia Elbegdorj of Mongolia, the President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, the PMi of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra, also forty Foreign ministers, as well as Nobel prize winners Aung San SuuKyi of Myanmar and Tawakkol Karman of Yemen. "The Community of Democracies is a global intergovernmental coalition of democratic countries, with the goal of promoting democratic rules and strengthening democratic norms and institutions around the world. The first meeting of Community, which was initiated by the United States and Poland, took place in Warsaw in June 2000. At the conclusion of that meeting, senior officials from 106 countries signed a declaration titled Toward a Community of Democracies which is still considered the most comprehensive international declaration on democratic values. "The vision of the CoD is to serve as a global platform for democratic countries that, together with civil society, parliamentarians and the private sector seek to strengthen democracy both at the national level and internationally. Its mission is to support democratic transition and consolidation worldwide and help bridge the gap between principles and practice of democracy and human rights. "Ministerial meeting of the CoD is held every two years. This session is expected to focus on how to advance democratic reforms in CoD member states, especially in emerging democracies and those facing challenges. Thematic discussions will be held on: democratic education: corruption; the Arab Spring; democracy and the Millennium Development Goals; as well as on-line and press freedom. A high-level discussion will run on threats against civil society and freedom of expression. "The Ministerial meeting will be preceded on 27 and 28 April by meetings of the CD's five pillars: civil society, women, youth, parliamentarians and the corporate sector. "More information on the CoD and the Ministerial conference as well as information on media accreditation can be found at www.cdmongolia.mn. Information on the CD and its activities can be found at www.community-democracies.org.