Wider boost for Biden’s global democracy promotion agenda

US President Joe Biden has taken criticism for making “revitalising democracy the world over” a key goal of his administration. Yet this agenda may be taking stronger root across much of the West and beyond, including with business, and will outlive his administration, whether it ends in 2025 or 2029.

One example of the appeal of this message will be seen this week with the seventh annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit. This global event – the brainchild of former Nato secretary general and ex-Danish prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen – will see keynote speakers from Asia-Pacific to the Americas.

These include European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen; European Council president Charles Michel; former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton; Republican US Senate leader Mitch McConnell; Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen and president-elect Lai Ching-te. But it will not just be politicians and activists in attendance.