Global Freedom Summit Launches Historic Effort to Revitalize Democratic Momentum

WASHINGTON—Senior leaders from the United States and foreign governments, the private sector, philanthropy, and civil society met to discuss the urgency of countering authoritarianism while transforming and renewing democratic momentum worldwide at the Global Freedom Summit at Sea Island, Georgia, held October 24–26, 2025. 

The summit culminated in the adoption of a Declaration of Principles—a framework outlining practical steps to renew democracy and reverse the nearly 20-year decline in global freedom. The declaration calls for the creation of a multibillion-dollar Global Freedom Fund—an ambitious new public-private institutional fund designed to mobilize and sustain flexible capital to support democratic institutions, civil society organizations, independent media, and strategic innovation capable of advancing freedom around the world. 

“The Global Freedom Summit provided important space to discuss new initiatives, which would mark a turning point,” said Gerardo Berthin and Annie Boyajian, presidents of Freedom House. “The Declaration of Principles and planned launch of a multibillion-dollar public-private institutional fund to support democracy—key outcomes of the Global Freedom Summit—lay the foundation for a new approach to countering authoritarianism and reinvigorating democratic momentum. Around the world, we see partners in government, investment, philanthropy, and civic leadership moving with new urgency, new alignment, and new ambition to defend democratic values. The world needs a durable new infrastructure that accelerates efforts to support critical democracy initiatives, and this summit was a first step toward realizing that exciting and ambitious goal.” 

Norman Willox, chairman of the Freedom House Board of Trustees, said, “Freedom is not self-executing and will only prevail when people stand up for it. The Global Freedom Summit marked a significant moment that brought together business leaders, innovative policymakers, and leading voices from civil society, united by the goal of expanding and defending freedom. The Global Freedom Fund represents a new architecture—capital, policy, and civic muscle working together—to unlock and support programs and approaches that reinvest in freedom and democracy to counter authoritarianism.” 

The Global Freedom Summit marks the first in a series of summits around the world to mobilize governments, investors, industry, and civic leaders toward reversing democratic decline and strengthening the strategic foundations of freedom worldwide. 

Additional regional summits are being planned, and details will be announced at a future date. Read the full Declaration of Principles here. 

Freedom House is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to create a world where all are free. We inform the world about threats to freedom, mobilize global action, and support democracy’s defenders.