The 2024 Global Conference on International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) is set to be held in Ghana.
The two-day event, organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is scheduled for October 1-2, 2024.
This year’s conference is on the theme, “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector”.
Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the IDUAI at the UN level in October 2019.
The day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as IDUAI.
The IDUAI serves as a platform to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.
The IDUAI 2024 Global Conference aims to explore how mainstreaming Access to Information (ATI) laws across government sectors can enhance the right to information.
Throughout the conference, government representatives and civil society actors will demonstrate how access to information policies are implemented across diverse government entities.
Additionally, there will be a focus on the role of non-governmental actors in ensuring policy coherence for ATI implementation across both public and private sectors.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, to launch IDUAI 2024, Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, stressed that ” hosting the 2024 Global Conference of the International Day for Universal Access to Information is not only a recognition of our efforts but also a call to action to continue advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability. It presents us with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase our achievements, and shared best practices and learn from other nations committed to upholding the right to information.
“As we prepare to host this prestigious event, let us reaffirm our dedication to principles of openness and accountability. Let us also continue to build on our achievements, ensuring that any person can seek, receive and impart information freely,” she said.
