Biden’s Summit for Democracy Kicks Off with Participation of Over 100 Countries

Biden’s Summit for Democracy Kicks Off with Participation of Over 100 Countries

The US Biden administration has kickstarted its two-day “Summit for Democracy” with the participation of over 100 world leaders. It also comes as a confirmation that democracy and human rights values are a priority in President Joe Biden’s foreign policy agenda as promised by him during his 2020 presidential election campaign.

On the eve of the summit, which Biden heads, Asharq Al-Awsat spoke to the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights about the Biden administration’s plan for human rights worldwide, especially in the Middle East region.

Uzra Zeya, a senior official in the State Department, explained that the summit was being held to fulfill Biden’s pledges on promoting democracy and human rights at the heart of US foreign policy.

She stressed that this policy would be followed in all countries without exception, including the Middle East.

According to Zeya, the world’s most pressing challenges call for democracies to cooperate and “stand together.”

The US pro-democracy summit centers on three critical matters: Confronting authoritarianism worldwide, raising the level of anti-corruption, and promoting respect for human rights at home and abroad.

While the summit gathers government leaders from more than 100 countries, Zeya pointed out that it also presents a significant opportunity for