The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) marked its 30th anniversary in 2025, reflecting on transformative lessons from Asia-Africa democracy-building initiatives that have shaped democratic governance across continents. Founded in February 1995 with 14 founding member states, the intergovernmental organisation has evolved into a global leader supporting sustainable democracy in 35 member nations, with two observer states and 20 offices spanning the Global South and North.
The anniversary celebrations coincided with the 70th anniversary of the historic Asia-Africa Conference originally held in Bandung, Indonesia, creating a powerful moment to examine the enduring legacy of South-South cooperation and Asia-Africa democracy-building engagements. These parallel milestones underscore the continued relevance of regional solidarity principles that have guided democratic development across developing nations for generations.
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The Asia-Africa Conference Legacy and Democratic Cooperation
The original Asia-Africa Conference brought together representatives from numerous countries, establishing foundational principles for South-South cooperation and future collaboration between continents. In October 2025, International IDEA, the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation, and Indonesia’s State Secretariat hosted an International Workshop on Electoral Efficiency and Sustainability, bringing together electoral commissioners and representatives from 15 Electoral Management Bodies across the Pacific, Asia, and Africa.
This gathering served as a critical platform for candid dialogue on safeguarding elections, often considered democracy’s cornerstone. Ms Noviyanti, Head of the Bureau for International Technical Cooperation at Indonesia’s Ministry of State Secretariat, emphasised the continued relevance of regional solidarity principles that have guided both the Asia-Africa Conference and International IDEA’s 30-year journey promoting sustainable democracy. She affirmed that elections embody people’s participation in shaping their government, acknowledging that electoral complexities continue evolving across diverse national contexts.
Political Participation: The Foundation of Democratic Systems
Asia-Africa democracy-building efforts have consistently emphasised political participation as fundamental to democratic legitimacy. The workshop participants agreed that elections represent long-term investments in democracy rather than mere expenses, setting the tone for discussions on sustainable electoral financing. Electoral commissioners from across regions recognised that sustainable financing constitutes an essential component of democratic resilience, particularly in regions grappling with complex socio-political challenges.
Discussions highlighted that electoral integrity depends not solely on operational efficiency but critically on public confidence in process fairness and transparency. Representatives emphasised that trust serves as the lifeblood of well-functioning societies. To maintain this trust, electoral systems require independent Electoral Management Bodies, timely and sufficient funding, and robust accountability mechanisms. Without these foundational pillars, even adequately funded elections risk losing legitimacy among citizens.
A representative from the Asian Network for Free Elections emphasised that financing laws must be strengthened through coordinated efforts, reflecting the collaborative spirit inherent in Asia-Africa democracy-building initiatives. This emphasis on institutional independence and financial sustainability demonstrates the maturation of democratic thinking across developing nations.
Pretoria High-Level Dialogue: Reimagining Democracy from the Global South
During June 2025, International IDEA’s Africa and West Asia team organised a landmark 30th anniversary commemorative event in Pretoria, South Africa. Approximately 200 prominent voices from the Global South gathered at a conference titled “Re-imagining Democracy in Africa: Comparative Experiences from the Global South.” This high-level dialogue, organised in collaboration with the African Union, Open Society Foundations, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the European Union, showcased positive democratic transformations from across developing nations.
Dr Roba D. Sharamo, Regional Director for Africa and West Asia at International IDEA, described the dialogue as a strategic intervention rather than a mere celebration. He emphasised that Asia-Africa democracy-building partnerships must rise together not only to defend democratic institutions but to reinvent them in ways that serve people more justly, inclusively, and transparently. The conference produced the Pretoria Consensus, a statement for democratic transformation reflecting collective insights from parliamentarians, judicial officers, electoral body managers, policymakers, civil society actors, and media representatives from Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Democratic Frameworks: Learning from Global South Experiences
Democratic Frameworks: Learning from Global South ExperiencesThe Pretoria dialogue showcased successful democratic frameworks from diverse contexts. Indonesia and South Korea demonstrated transitions from authoritarianism to robust democracies, while Costa Rica and Uruguay exemplified progressive legal frameworks coupled with high civic trust. Chile and Malaysia highlighted institutional reforms emphasising gender inclusion and anti-corruption progress. South Africa, a founding member of International IDEA in 1995, symbolises both the promise and complexity of post-authoritarian democracies, with its 1994 peaceful transition remaining a beacon of hope.
These comparative experiences demonstrate that Asia-Africa democracy-building initiatives benefit tremendously from peer learning and knowledge exchange. Several Global South democracies have shown notable resilience and democratic innovation, offering valuable lessons for other nations navigating similar challenges. The dialogue emphasised that democracy remains a universal value embraced across diverse countries, histories, and cultures, despite facing contemporary pressures from authoritarian resurgence and shrinking civic space.
Electoral Integrity and Democratic Resilience
International IDEA’s Electoral Integrity Project Report, published during the anniversary year, reviewed the 2024 super-cycle year of elections, analysing trends, challenges, and opportunities. The report described challenges facing elections, including aggression against officials, extreme weather conditions, and undue pressure to introduce politically motivated reforms. However, it also outlined how election authorities are meeting these challenges through inter-agency cooperation, innovative technology, and active citizen trust-building efforts.
Asia-Africa democracy-building frameworks increasingly recognise that democratic resilience depends on delivering tangible outcomes to citizens. While support for democracy remains strong in principle across most African and Asian nations, research indicates that openness to non-democratic alternatives grows in contexts where authoritarian systems appear to deliver better results. This reality underscores the importance of making democratic systems responsive, efficient, and accountable to citizens’ needs.
Stockholm Anniversary Week and Global Commitment
International IDEA’s Anniversary Week from June 9-13 in Stockholm brought together member states, the Board of Advisers, and representatives from Electoral Management Bodies. The Stockholm Conference on Electoral Integrity provided a platform for electoral bodies from member states and partners to share experiences and discuss leadership in a transforming world. His Excellency Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, hosted council representatives at a reception honouring the institute’s milestone.
Switzerland assumed the chairship of International IDEA in 2025, with Swiss ambassador Adrian Junker calling for focused action to promote democracy worldwide and counter growing pressure on democratic systems. At the council meeting, Patricia Danzi, director general of Switzerland’s Agency for Development and Cooperation, reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to promoting democratic system resilience, emphasising that democracy requires constant nurturing rather than representing a finished product.
The Future of Asia-Africa Democracy-Building
The Future of Asia-Africa Democracy-BuildingInternational IDEA’s Council of Member States formally recognised the organisation’s achievements in its official anniversary statement, acknowledging that the institute has improved and consolidated electoral institutions, supported constitution-building processes across continents, promoted political rights and representation, and become one of the world’s most trusted sources of comparative research on democracy. The statement highlighted International IDEA’s work addressing challenges to democracy posed by digitalisation and climate change.
Looking forward, Asia-Africa democracy-building efforts will continue focusing on building, strengthening, and safeguarding democratic institutions and processes. The organisation’s commitment to championing democracy as a universal human aspiration and enabler of sustainable development remains unwavering. Through policy-relevant knowledge, capacity development, advocacy, and dialogue facilitation, International IDEA continues to support locally owned democratic processes that respond to specific cultural and political contexts.
The lessons from 30 years of Asia-Africa democracy-building demonstrate that sustainable democracy requires collective effort, regional cooperation, and continuous adaptation to emerging challenges. As International IDEA embarks on its next chapter, the principles of South-South cooperation and peer learning established through Asia-Africa partnerships will continue guiding global democracy assistance efforts, ensuring that democratic institutions serve diverse populations effectively and inclusively.
