International IDEA and the Belgian Technical Cooperation formalize collaboration efforts

On 4 October 2017, International IDEA and Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC)^* signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement for the Democratic Governance Sector at the BTC headquarters in Brussels.

BTC is the Belgian development cooperation agency. It supports development projects across the globe to eradicate poverty, and helps to build a world where women and men live under the rule of law, have equal access to quality public services and are free to pursue their aspirations. The Agreement aims to define the broad cooperation axes of the collaboration between Parties for international development cooperation in the Democratic Governance Sector.

The Agreement was signed by Carl Michiels, Chairman of the Management Committee of BTC, and Andrew Bradley, Director of the Office International IDEA to the European Union. Also at the ceremony, was H.E. Dr. Kaire Munionganda Mbuende, Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Mission to the European Union. Mbuende participated in his capacity as Local Second Vice-Chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA.

In welcoming the signing of the Agreement, Michiels, stated that it aligns with BTC’s objective to forge partnerships with international partners other than Belgian. He also remarked that cooperation with International IDEA, with its diverse membership and solid reputation in the democratic governance sector, would complement and enhance the work of BTC. 

Bradley added that signing the Agreement is a concrete signal of closer collaboration between International IDEA and its Member States. He lauded the significance of the agreement, given Belgium was one of 14 founding members of International IDEA. Bradley also noted that the sharing of experiences and best practices, pooling of resources, and commitment to collaboration, will all contribute to improving democratic governance globally.  

Ambassador Mbuende re-iterated Namibia’s continued support to International IDEA, and said that his country looks forward to chairing the Council of Member States of International IDEA in 2018. He noted that democracy is strengthening on the African continent and stressed the importance of building and maintaining strong and independent institutions to safeguard inclusive democracy.

^*BTC will undergo a reform and renewal, operating under the name ‘Enabel’ on 01 January 2018. The new name is the Belgian variant of the English verb ‘enable’ and reflects what the Belgian development cooperation stands for: empowering people, enabling development and bringing partners together.