, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora){kind=link}
Mauritius: The Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, paid a courtesy call today, on the Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.
The International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation whose mandate is to promote and advance sustainable democracy and to improve and consolidate electoral processes worldwide.
In a statement after the courtesy call, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora recalled that Mauritius had been one of the 34 Member States of the International IDEA since 1999 and that over the years, the Institute has developed a very close working relationship with the local Office of the Electoral Commissioner.
He affirmed that his visit to Mauritius stems from the idea of expanding that dialogue to include other political actors and stakeholders.
According to the Secretary-General, his conversation with the Prime Minister was very stimulating. Dr Casas-Zamora was of the view that there is a keen interest on the part of several political actors to introduce electoral legislation and changes to the electoral process.
He underlined that the International IDEA could provide technical advice and comparative evidence since it operates globally and feed that into a discussion that precedes any electoral reform.
The International IDEA´s Secretary-General also stated that discussions with the Prime Minister focused on the current launching of a new research programme, by the Institute, on climate change and democracy, which he deemed a crucial and existential issue for Small Island States like Mauritius.
“We want to be of help and ask the question about what democracies need to do in order to be better able to deal with the multi-fold challenges that climate change is posing, and we are keen to partner with Mauritius on this issue,” said Dr Casas-Zamora.
He also added that during his stay, he would be meeting with the President of the Republic of Mauritius and the Attorney General, among others, and convey the message that Mauritius, as a Member State of the International IDEA, can avail of the expertise and support required from the Institute.