US invited weak democracies to its summit: Momen

 
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that the US might have invited countries with weak democracies to its Democracy Summit.

 
He came up with the remark while addressing a seminar on climate change at Dhaka University on Thursday.

Dr Momen said, "The summit will be held in the USA in two phases. The second phase will take place next year. In the first phase to be held this year, some countries will attend. Hopefully, we will get invitation in the second phase."

"We have had a stable democracy over the last several years, a very clear and transparent democracy. Free and fair voting is happening," he told reporters while responding to questions.

Voters can cast their votes freely and anybody can contest elections if they want, he said, adding that in Myanmar and Afghanistan, many cannot vote.

On December 9-10, President Biden will host the first of two Summits for Democracy, which will bring together leaders from government, civil society and the private sector to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action.

The virtual summit will focus on challenges and opportunities facing democracies and will provide a platform for leaders to announce both individual and collective commitments, reforms, and initiatives to defend democracy and human rights at home and abroad.