On September 6, 2023, at the Telliskivi Creative City in Tallinn, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas inaugurated the 8th Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit, attended by over 2,000 participants from 125 nations.
Prime Minister Kallas expressed Estonia’s pride in hosting the OGP community, emphasizing their shared vision of a world where governments collaborate with civil society and citizens for stronger democracies and open, resilient societies. She highlighted the OGP’s role in driving global governance reforms towards greater transparency and inclusivity. In her opening address, Prime Minister Kallas underscored a key insight: “Democracy is a continual endeavor, never fully prepared.”
The Prime Minister also addressed the pressing issue of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, framing it as a challenge to democracy and global security. She warned against allowing a colonial vision to prevail, asserting that Russia’s approach of conquest and colonization posed a significant threat.
In her speech, Prime Minister Kallas recognized the multifaceted nature of modern warfare, encompassing cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and energy conflicts. She stressed the importance of combatting these threats and strengthening democratic societies’ resilience. Estonia’s commitment to building a human-centered digital society based on democratic principles and human rights was emphasized, with a willingness to share their experiences.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kallas highlighted the global rise of authoritarianism and the dangers of dependency in various sectors. She advocated for thoughtful choices to ensure connections with like-minded allies, emphasizing that open and free societies provide fertile ground for innovation and prosperity.
In addition to her opening speech, Prime Minister Kallas participated in a panel discussion with notable figures from Cape Verde, Estonia, and Colombia. She also had scheduled meetings with the Prime Minister of Kosovo and the Vice President of Seychelles during the summit.
On September 7, 2023, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will take part in the summit’s closing plenary alongside Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa. This event will be available for viewing on the OGP’s YouTube channel. Additionally, Kallas will hold bilateral meetings with Samantha Power and Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen.
The OGP Global Summit, which convenes heads of state, civil society organizations, and policymakers worldwide, unites over 76 national governments, over 100 local governments, numerous civil society representatives, and more than two billion people. The eighth edition of the summit, hosted by Estonia, encompasses nearly 50 debates across eight stages, focusing on topics such as anti-corruption, civil society and participation, climate, digital technologies, justice, and crisis preparedness, reflecting Estonia’s co-chairmanship of the Open Government Partnership since October 2022.
