As International IDEA celebrates its 30th anniversary, this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Asia-Africa Conference, originally held in Bandung, Indonesia. That landmark event laid the foundation for South-South cooperation, promoting solidarity and partnership between Asia and Africa. Upholding this legacy, International IDEA, the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM CSSTC), and Indonesia’s State Secretariat (Setneg) co-hosted the International Workshop on Electoral Efficiency and Sustainability from 20–24 October. The gathering brought together representatives from 15 Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific to discuss one of democracy’s most pressing issues—the cost and sustainability of elections.
The workshop provided a platform for open discussions on the challenges of conducting credible elections, from financial constraints to logistical and political complexities. Participants shared experiences that revealed similar hurdles across regions, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange. Reflecting on the enduring spirit of the Asia-Africa Conference, speakers emphasized cross-regional solidarity as key to safeguarding electoral integrity and democratic progress.
In her address, Ms. Noviyanti from Indonesia’s Ministry of State Secretariat highlighted that elections are the cornerstone of democracy, representing citizens’ participation in governance. She noted that despite differing scales and contexts, many nations face common challenges such as geography, digital literacy, and cultural diversity. Her remarks reinforced the shared democratic aspirations linking countries across continents. Ambassador Diar Nurbiantoro of NAM CSSTC opened the workshop by reminding participants that elections should be seen not as expenses, but as long-term investments in democracy—a perspective that shaped much of the dialogue throughout the event.
Participants widely agreed that sustainable financing is essential to democratic resilience. However, they also emphasized that financial resources alone are insufficient. Trust, transparency, and accountability were identified as equally critical components of electoral integrity. Speakers called for stronger laws on political and campaign financing and greater coordination between EMBs, civil society, and legislative bodies to ensure that elections remain fair, efficient, and credible.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to deepen regional cooperation and collective learning. It reaffirmed that democracy thrives through collaboration, mutual trust, and sustained investment—principles that echo both the spirit of the Asia-Africa Conference and International IDEA’s three decades of work advancing democratic governance across the globe.
