Community of Democracies Foreign Ministers Meeting at the UN

For the first time, the foreign ministers of the Community of Democracies (CD) met at the United Nations to review the progress that has been made on implementing the Seoul Plan of Action; to look forward to the May 4-6, 2005, Santiago Ministerial; and to discuss CD's role in the United Nations. Under the leadership of Chilean Foreign Minister Alvear, various countries proposed new initiatives, such as sharing best practices with emerging democracies like Georgia and Iraq and strengthening cooperation among Asian democracies. Numerous ministers expressed support for President Bush's call for the creation of a UN Democracy Fund and activating the democracy caucus in the United Nations General Assembly. A communiqué was released at the conclusion of the meeting.