The 8th OGP Global Summit focused on how cutting-edge digital governance, combined with the open government values of transparency, accountability, and participation, can renew democracy and fight back against autocratic threats.
„In this era of polycrisis, we cannot be ready for all types of challenges. However, we can build a cohesive society which produces resilience. If we want to rely on civil society in times of crisis, we need to network and cooperate during times of stability,“ said Estonian Secretary of State Taimar Peterkop.
Estonia has been a member of the OGP since 2011. As a member, Estonia has had the opportunity to share best practices on e-governance solutions and civil society engagement with partners worldwide. Estonia has developed six national OGP Action Plans since then, with some of its most significant open governance achievements being the development of a digital platform called "rahvaalgatus" (Citizens' Initiative), the My Local Government dashboard, and the lobby registry.
The Government of Estonia assumed the role of government chair of the OGP Steering Committee last year. They were joined by civil society co-chair Anabel Cruz, Founder and Director of the Communications and Development Institute in Uruguay. The OGP Global Summit also concluded Estonia and Anabel Cruz's terms as Co-Chairs. They will be succeeded by the Government of Kenya and Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO of Accountability Lab. They will chair the OGP Steering Committee for one year starting October 1, 2023.
"When governments and civil society organizations work together to address challenges, they create solutions that are more ambitious, and results for citizens are noticeably stronger," said Cruz. "I am pleased to have led the Partnership along with the Government of Estonia at a crucial time for democracies everywhere, and I look forward to the Steering Committee's new leadership."
The Open Government Partnership is a multilateral initiative that unites 76 countries, 104 local governments and thousands of civil society organizations.
