On Thursday, March 30, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will travel to Lusaka, Zambia to lead the U.S. delegation at the Summit for Democracy 2023.

On March 29-30, the United States will co-host the second Summit for Democracy with the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia. Building on the first Summit for Democracy held in December 2021, this gathering will highlight how democracies deliver for their citizens and are best equipped to address the world's most pressing challenges. The second Summit for Democracy will assemble world leaders in a virtual, plenary format, followed by hybrid gatherings in each of the co-host countries with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector.  

The theme for the Republic of Zambia's summit is "Free, Fair, and Transparent Elections as the Foundation of Democratic Governance." Secretary Cardona will give remarks on March 30, 2023, which will be livestreamed and can be shared upon request. More information can be found here.

The U.S. delegation will also include:

• U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia Michael Gonzales
• U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator Monde Muyangwa
• U.S. State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Principal Deputy Lisa Peterson
• U.S. Agency for International Development Acting Director for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Director Mark Billera
• Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka Linnisa Wahid.