#DemoTalks launches its first 2026 series on Upholding Democracy in Foreign Policy

The first session of the DemoTalks series kicked off on 4 March 2026, bringing together officials from 14 countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia to discuss how democratic principles can be strengthened through foreign policy. The initiative, organised by International IDEA, the Open Government Partnership and the Community of Democracies, provides an action-oriented platform for officials from Ministries of Foreign Affairs to exchange experiences, strengthen collective democratic resilience, and explore practical approaches to supporting democratic governance internationally. Each session is co-hosted by at least one of the partner organisations together with one of its member states.

The discussion on Upholding Democracy in Foreign Policy, examined how democratic values can be operationalised through diplomacy, development cooperation, and multilateral engagement in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Discussions  centered on two themes: Democracy as a Foreign Policy Imperative and Interpreting Democracy in Foreign and Development Policy.

Participants noted that contemporary democracies operate within a global environment characterized by fragmentation, rising authoritarianism, and multifaceted challenges. There was broad consensus on the need for more deliberate, structured cooperation among democratic partners to address these issues. A recurring theme was the importance of platforms that facilitate the exchange of experiences and the development of collective responses.

Discussions emphasized that democratic governance is both a national and international responsibility. Participants underscored the importance of grounding interstate relations in democratic principles, such as accountability, and strong institutions, as well as in the foundational norms of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and international law. These principles were seen as essential for maintaining peace and fostering cooperation. Participants furthermore argued that principled positions on global issues are vital for upholding international norms and supporting stable international partnerships.

The conversation turned to the challenges posed by democratic backsliding and geopolitical realignment. Participants agreed that the central question is not whether democracies should support democracy internationally, but how to do so more effectively and ethically. There was a strong emphasis on the need for multilateral cooperation, openness, accountability, and partnerships with civil society. Current strategic frameworks aim at protecting and strengthening democratic institutions worldwide. These approaches combine support for institutional frameworks based on human rights and the rule of law with a “diplomacy for democracy” model. This model promotes dialogue, peer learning, and technical support for democratic reform. Participants highlighted the need for collaborative partnerships, locally driven approaches to democracy support and the use of the full range of foreign policy tools to strengthen democratic resilience.

Several key takeaways emerged from the discussion:

• Democratic governance strengthens foreign policy credibility, public trust and institutional resilience.
• Global South democracies are increasingly shaping the international democracy agenda, bringing practical leadership in mediation, multilateral cooperation and democratic innovation.
• Multilateralism remains essential, particularly as a mechanism for ensuring sovereign equality and collective problem-solving.
• Partnership-based approaches, rather than donor-driven models, are increasingly central to effective democracy support.
• Democracies must also rethink how they communicate their value, linking democratic governance more directly to the concrete improvements it delivers in people’s lives.

Looking ahead, strengthening cooperation between democratic states, particularly through inclusive multilateral partnerships that give equal voice to countries across regions, will remain essential for safeguarding democratic governance and reinforcing a rules-based international order.

The next DemoTalks session will be on building resilience against foreign interference, followed by a discussion on cooperation to build a values-based AI.