International IDEA formally launches Africa and West Asia Regional office in Pretoria

The launch ceremony brought together senior government officials, ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, civil society leaders, and development partners operating in South Africa. International IDEA's Secretary-General, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, formally commissioned the office, while Mr Zane Dangor, Director-General of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), reaffirmed the South African government's commitment as a Member State and strong support for International IDEA's mission and the success of the regional office.

In his remarks, Dr Casas-Zamora underscored the importance of the new office by recalling the thirty-year partnership between International IDEA and South Africa, one of the organization’s 14 founding member states in 1995 and highlighted how this enduring relationship provides a powerful foundation for deepening democracy and good governance in the region. 

This country is one of the triumphs of democracy: a society that overcame the dual adversities of colonialism and apartheid to achieve equal suffrage and peaceful reconciliation," he said. "South Africa is an ideal home for our Regional Office not only because of this country's past, but because of what this Rainbow Nation represents for democracy's future: a future of renewal, and of hope.

The Secretary-General acknowledged that the launch comes at a challenging moment globally. International IDEA's own data shows that for nine consecutive years; more countries have experienced democratic deterioration than advances. He was direct about what these demands were: "Faced with this trend of democratic decay and normative failure, what we need is more humanity, not less. More accountability, not less. More democracy, not less."

Dr Casas-Zamora closed his remarks with a call for Global South leadership in the global democracy debate. "The future of democracy depends on it not being seen as a Western project. Democracy must instead be seen for what it is: a human project." Mr Dangor's participation carried additional weight given that South Africa is set to assume the chairship of International IDEA's Council of Member States in 2027, deepening a relationship that already spans close collaboration with DIRCO, the Independent Electoral Commission, and the National Assembly.

The AWA Regional Office coordinates International IDEA's democracy support work across the continent and West Asia, providing strategic leadership and technical expertise to country offices in Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Lesotho, Gambia, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and beyond. Its work spans electoral processes, constitutional governance and the rule of law, political participation and representation, digitalization and democracy, climate security and democracy, and democracy and inclusion. 

With the Pretoria office now open, International IDEA is positioned to strengthen its work with governments, civil society, and citizens across one of the world's most dynamic and diverse democratic landscapes.