The World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech and Humankind, 18th–19th February 2024, Berlin

Call for action: The World Forum's panel on Taiwan, Ukraine, and nations under threat concluded with a strong call for the international community to actively support and protect democracies, emphasising the interconnectedness of global security and the need for a united front against authoritarian threats.

Main outcomes

• Strong consensus on the urgent need to protect and support democracies worldwide against authoritarian threats, with specific emphasis on the situations in Ukraine and Taiwan.

• Advocacy for international cooperation among democratic nations, including defense alliances and economic, military, and diplomatic support to deter aggression and promote global stability.

• Call for recognizing the sovereignty and self-determination of nations like Taiwan and the establishment of mechanisms, such as a special court for crimes of aggression, to hold authoritarian regimes accountable.

Panel Discussion summary

A panel discussion at the World Forum on the future of Democracy, Tech, and Humankind, focusing on the challenges faced by Taiwan, Ukraine, and other nations under threat. The panel, moderated by Vanessa Hope, a director known for her film "Invisible Nation" about Taiwan's democracy, features a diverse group of speakers including Hans Correl, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General; Eva-Maria Liimets, former Foreign Minister of Estonia; Maysing Yang, a Taiwanese human rights activist and democracy advocate; and Ming Chang, president of Hello Taiwan. The discussion revolves around the significance of protecting democracy abroad, the impact of authoritarian regimes on global stability, and the potential consequences of failing to defend democratic nations.

Eva-Maria Liimets highlights the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the importance of supporting democracy to prevent tyranny and dictatorship. She emphasizes the role of free media and addressing the issue of corruptly obtained money that supports authoritarian regimes like Russia. Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, underscores the war crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine, demonstrating the failure of the international system to protect human rights and maintain peace.

Hans Corell, a panelist in the discussion, emphasized the necessity of the United Nations and the importance of democracy and the rule of law for international peace and security. He highlighted his experience as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, advocating for the establishment of international criminal tribunals and the importance of holding states accountable for aggression, such as suggesting a special court for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Corell stressed the need for defence alliances like NATO for countries to pool resources for collective security, reflecting on the changing global dynamics that necessitate such measures for maintaining peace and protecting democracy.

Maysing Yang speaks on behalf of Taiwan, explaining the continuous threat from China and the importance of global democratic unity to deter aggression and maintain peace. She stresses that Taiwan is an independent, democratic country that seeks international recognition and support to defend itself against Chinese threats.

The panelists discuss various strategies for protecting and promoting democracy, including forming defense alliances, supporting independent journalism, and taking a firm stance against authoritarian regimes. The importance of international cooperation, recognizing the sovereignty of nations like Taiwan, and the potential expansion of NATO to include Ukraine and Taiwan as deterrents against aggression are highlighted.