The Endorsing Organizations of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (DoP) held their Twentieth (20th) Anniversary Implementation Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on December 10 to 12, 2025 to deliberate on and reaffirm their commitment to supporting genuine democratic elections and to the principles for international election observation as set forth in the DoP.
The Endorsing Organizations recalled that 2025 is the 20th Anniversary of Declaration of Principle’s launching at the United Nations Secretariat. Since its adoption, the number of organizations endorsing the document has grown from 21 to 54 – with endorsing organizations in every region of the world.
The meeting brought together intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations to review two decades of collective experience and how to address evolving challenges facing the current electoral landscape. It also provided an important opportunity for the community to reflect on shared achievements and reaffirm its commitment to credible, impartial, independent and professional international election observation. Through a series of high-level exchanges and thematic sessions, endorsers examined the impact of digital threats and disinformation, rising political polarization, high-risk security environments, and increasing resource and operational constraints. Participants also shared new tools and methodologies aimed at strengthening cooperation and enhancing the effectiveness of election observation missions.
As part of their deliberations, the Endorsing Organizations recalled United Nations General Assembly resolutions, including most recently in its resolution (A/RES/78/208), expressing “appreciation for the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, which elaborate guidelines for international electoral observation.”
The Endorsing Organizations also noted the public statement of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association and the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders recognizing that “election observers are human rights defenders.”
For a full list of the endorsing organisations, click here.
