For the first time in Mauritania’s history, parliamentarians and business leaders have come together to discuss how to improve the economic and business climate of the North African country.

The two groups agreed to submit an official report to the Mauritanian National Assembly detailing issues and recommendations, and they plan to establish a commission promoting ongoing collaboration between government and the private sector.

In early May, NDI sent a team to Benghazi, to meet with Libyans and assess what they will need for a successful democratic transition. Les Campbell, NDI director for Middle East and North Africa programs, writes about his experiences.

An unusual witness testified before the Russian Duma recently on a topic — legislative oversight — that is not frequently discussed in the Russian parliament.

As democratic activists in the Middle East and North Africa have stepped up their fight for freedom, NDI and the government of Bulgaria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cement their partnership in aiding reform movements in the Muslim world and other transitional regions.

Against the backdrop of rapidly unfolding democratic developments in the Middle East and North Africa, 50 experts from Europe and North America meeting in Brussels last week expressed support for democratic reform movements and called on the transatlantic community to emphasize democracy assistance within the transatlantic relationship.