Biden set to speak at long-promised virtual 'Summit for Democracy'
CNN
President Joe Biden is set to participate a virtual "Summit for Democracy" from the White House beginning on Thursday, where he'll host more than 100 participants representing governments, civil society and private-sector leaders.
The virtual gathering of leaders is focused on combating corruption, defending against authoritarianism and promoting human rights. It's part of a broader theme Biden has frequently reinforced throughout his time in office -- that the global competition of the 21st century is one defined by democracies versus autocracies and America has a responsibility in ensuring democracies prevail. Since coming into office last January, Biden has promised to hold the gathering as a show of force against autocracies around the world.
White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday that the focus of the summit will be "on what the President has called 'the challenge of our time' -- reversing the ongoing global democratic recession and ensuring that democracies deliver for their people."