Under the proposed theme, ‘Defending Civic Space in a time of COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on SDG16+’, the Tokyo Democracy Forum (TDF) is expected to address various challenges, threats and oppressions to civil society organizations and civic space in Asia, as well as opportunities and strategies for international civic engagement on democracy, human rights and SDGs, in particular, the SDG16+ “Fostering peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence.”.

Civil society organizations and researchers working in Asia are to be invited to join the TDF as partners, such as Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD), Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD), CIVICUS, Communities of Democracies (CoD), Forus, Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) Network etc.

The main objective of the TDF is to increase awareness of shrinking civic space, human rights, and the importance of SDG16+ among CSO leaders, policymakers, governments, academia, and corporations across Asia. The TDF will provide a platform for a wider range of stakeholders to share experience on advocacy initiatives, implementation, challenges, and progress with regards to SDGs.