As part of our program on Democratic Governance, JCIE hosted a webinar to discuss the “Sunnylands Principles on Enhancing Democratic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Region.” Over 50 people attended the discussion, which focused on the challenges to democracy and the international order that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the event provided an opportunity for international and Japanese leaders to exchange views on how Japan can work with other countries in the region to build democratic governance in an inclusive and transparent manner.

The discussion panel featured two of the signatories to the Sunnylands Principles, Marty Natalegawa and Yukio Takasu, as well as a video message from Michael J. Green. They were joined by two leading experts, Sook Jong Lee and Yamini Aiyar, and discussed the current status of democratic governance in the region and their perspectives on the Sunnylands Principles in the context of a Free and Open Indo Pacific (FOIP).