Tallinn, Estonia – The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit’s second day witnessed dynamic discussions that underscored the pivotal role of open government in bolstering democracies and confronting global challenges head-on.
Environmental Defenders: Unsung Heroes in Peril
The day commenced with a compelling panel shedding light on the plight of environmental defenders, individuals who risk their lives to safeguard our planet. UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders, Michel Frost, delivered a somber message, revealing that environmental defenders often have no choice but to defend due to necessity. Shockingly, they face death threats, harassment, violence, and discrimination, driven by factors such as greed, political apathy, corruption, and powerful interests.
Protecting Civil Society Amid Democratic Transitions
The Summit also emphasized the need to safeguard civil society during democratic transitions. Jessica Estrada, Director of Transparency and Anti-Corruption at the National Foundation for Development (FUNDE) in El Salvador, implored the international community to support civil society organizations in nations facing threats to democracy. She shared the painful journey of FUNDE’s departure from OGP in the wake of a new government’s refusal to honor their action plan.
Balancing National Security and Transparency
A vibrant discussion on the challenges of balancing national security with transparency and accountability featured Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Ressa highlighted the evolving role of journalists in holding governments accountable, as they increasingly face harassment, threats, and imprisonment for their work. She also cautioned against the misuse of technology for disinformation and surveillance capitalism, advocating for measures to counter these trends.
Technology’s Role in Transforming Governance
USAID Administrator Samantha Power joined the Summit to discuss the transformative potential of technology in governance. She praised Estonia’s e-governance innovations and highlighted the success of Ukraine’s Diia platform in empowering citizens digitally and combating corruption. Excitingly, Power announced USAID’s partnership with Estonia and Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation to expand Diia’s model to Colombia, Kosovo, and Zambia, leveraging Estonia’s expertise in interoperability.
Supporting Progress in Democracies
In a final roundtable discussion, Samantha Power emphasized the importance of supporting countries making progress in democracy. She stressed the need to focus on building and validating trust, particularly in a world where trust is in short supply.
The second day of the OGP Global Summit reinforced the significance of open government, the resilience of civil society, and the transformative potential of technology in shaping future democracies. Across the approximately 50 sessions held over two Summit days, the global community reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing accountability, transparency, and citizen engagement in the digital era.
Additionally, it was announced that Estonia, alongside Anabel Cruz, Founder and Director of the Communications and Development Institute in Uruguay, assumed the role of government chair of the OGP Steering Committee in October 2022. The Government of Kenya and Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO of Accountability Lab, will succeed them as Co-Chairs for a one-year term beginning October 1, 2023.
The 8th OGP Global Summit convened more than 2,000 participants from approximately 130 countries, including heads of state and government, civil society organizations, and policy-makers, to drive progress in open government initiatives worldwide.
