Peru takes up the chairship of International IDEA in 2017

During International IDEA's Council of Member States meeting on 8-9 December, and in the presence of Yves Leterme, Secretary-General of International IDEA, Mongolia, represented by the Chargé d'affaires of the Mongolian Embassy in Sweden,  Bulgan Enkhtuvshin, handed over the Chairship of International IDEA to Peru, represented by the Ambassador of Peru to Sweden, José Beraún Aranibar. Peru will take up its role as the Chair of International IDEA in 2017.

Ambassador José Beraún Aranibar, Ambassador of Peru, emphasized that:

“Peru promotes the defence of representative democracy and inclusive participation without distinction as to sex, race, physical condition, religious belief, and economic and social status. The Peruvian State also seeks to consolidate the democratic system, the respect for the Constitution and laws and to guarantee the fundamental rights and freedoms that allow a free exercise of citizenship and press.”

Peru highlighted that ahead of the elections in April and June 2016, Peruvian institutions and International IDEA in Peru used innovative ICT tools which managed to inform thousands of voters about the candidates and the electoral process.
 
Also during International IDEA's Council of Member States meeting,  key developments in 2016 were acknowledged, which included Brazil joining International IDEA as a Member State, the opening of International IDEA’s regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Santiago de Chile and the launch of the new public website in November. The Council meeting approved membership application from Republic of Benin, and Benin joined International IDEA as its 30th Member State. Member States also approved the Programme and Budget for 2017 that sets the objectives and programme of IDEA’s work the next year.