Namibia to Chair International IDEA Council of Member States in 2018

Peru, represented by the Ambassador of Peru to Sweden, José Beraún Aranibar, handed over the Chairship of International IDEA to Namibia, represented by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maureen Magreth Hinda during International IDEA's Council of Member States meeting on 6 December 2017, in the presence of Yves Leterme, Secretary-General of International IDEA.

Namibia will chair International IDEA in 2018 and has adopted Inclusive Democracy for Sustainable Development as the theme for its  Chairship. Hinda noted to the Council meeting:

“For us, democracy and social and economic development are interrelated. Democracy is not only about participation in elections but should be centered around human dignity through providing access to social and economic development. Our efforts to consolidate democracy include the promotion of gender equality, youth empowerment and the integration of previously marginalized communities into the mainstream of society.”

Also during International IDEA's Council of Member States meeting, key developments in 2017 were acknowledged, which included the signing of a host country agreement with Mexico to open a sub-regional office of International IDEA in Mexico City, and the global series of launches of the Global State of Democracy. Member States approved International IDEA’s 2018-2022 Strategy that will set the strategic objectives for International IDEA’s programmes for the next five years.