mr president madam vice president colleague leaders and friends in the fight for democracy
dominica welcomes this summit we count it as a signal of the recognition
that democracy requires constant renewal and protection as well as engagement at the domestic
and international levels this is the only way in which democratic processes
institutions and societies can remain robust and relevant in a rapidly changing world the threats
to democracy have many guises from drawing out the voice of the people to the denial of opportunity
to the erection of barriers of social and economic inequity dominica's democracy rests on empowering
our citizens delivering opportunity jobs education health land ownership and housing for all in our
country we have enlarged the say of citizens in their governance through community-based processes
such as village and constituency councils with the establishment of wi-fi to citizens island-wide and
in all public spaces we are ensuring that the democratization that is engendered by access
to technology and information together with the means to express opinions unfettered is enjoyed
by citizens across all socio-economic levels in our country dominica's democracy rests on multiple
planks which you are constantly reinforcing to modernize and improve the electoral system
dominica has established an electoral reform commission which is reviewing regional best
practices continue consulting widely with and obtaining the views of citizens and stakeholders
and will make appropriate recommendations dominica has a strong tradition of free
and fair elections and the protection of human rights and on the issue of corruption
of 180 countries on transparency international's corruption perception index dominica ranked 48.
being of mixed ethnicity dominicans know that no country can boast of being a democracy
unless its institutions policies legal systems and practices stamp out racial prejudice
and institutionalized racism as a proud member of the caribbean community dominica stands in defence
and in support of democracy in our region we uphold the principles of the charters
of the united nations and the os and the principles of multilateralism which respect
the sovereignty of the state issues of governance and democracy must include multilateral relations
the world and the countries which comprise it have changed and continue to change
the member states which now make up the united nations system are not the same which existed
at the time that organization was formed hearing and respecting the voice and place of
all the peoples of the world is central to modern democracy it is therefore essential
that there should be reform of the united nations security council to reflect the
modern world and in particular to create seats for africa and small island developing states
which numerically make up a substantial block of the un's member states dominica is deeply
conscious that democracy is a work in progress requiring constant effort and perpetual vigilance
my country commits to continuing to strengthen all aspects of democracy but in particular to ensuring
that equity inclusion justice opportunity and the freedom to make choices are core
principles of democracy on which our country will remain rooted brothers and sisters i thank you