27 September 2021

On 28 September each year, we celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information. At a time when we are all trying to find efficient solutions to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more essential than ever that we put forward universal access to information as a key pillar to building back better with resilient and inclusive knowledge societies capable of achieving sustainable development.

That is why this year’s observance is centred on the theme “The Right to Know: Building Back Better Thanks to Access to Information”. The International Day for Universal Access to Information is an opportunity to highlight the importance of expanding access to information laws and their effective implementation worldwide in order to advance the vision of information as a universal public good.

Data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) show that as of August 2021, 132 United Nations Member States—almost 70 per cent—had adopted constitutional guarantees or enacted access to information laws. But the same figure shows that work still needs to be done to ensure that this fundamental right is enjoyed all around the world. 

Where adopted and effectively implemented, access to information legislation plays a significant role in protecting the public’s rights, especially in times of crisis or emergency. Proactively releasing accurate and verified information is vital to encouraging healthy behaviours, managing efficient responses and ultimately, saving lives. Examples include the publication of scientific knowledge; making data about health issues, vaccines and vaccination available; and accounting for spending on pandemic response and recovery funds. Such information helps build public confidence in evidence-based policies, including those developed in response to the pandemic. 

The same applies to climate change and responses to this global emergency that will continue to threaten current and future generations. A well-informed and empowered public is necessary if we are to address this urgent challenge effectively.

Greater openness benefits not only citizens, but also governments. For example, open access to information can prompt better records management, helping governments make informed decisions and provide more efficient services. It also serves as a safeguard against misgovernment and corruption. Specific measures, such as those promoting transparency in the management of public finances or the creation of public registers of lobbyists and interest groups, are useful tools in fighting corruption.

The 193 United Nations Member States that adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognized the right to information as a prerequisite and key driver for achieving sustainable development.  

There has been progress, but more still needs to be done to ensure that women and girls, as well as marginalized groups or persons, including persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, have access to information. Further efforts are also needed to address persistent gender-based and socioeconomic inequalities and to bridge divides in digital access, skills and literacy.

Against this backdrop, UNESCO serves as the United Nations custodian agency for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 16.10.2 on the number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information. The organization contributes to this target to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. 

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021. Graphic: UNESCO.

During this past year, UNESCO conducted a survey on public access to information and SDG indicator 16.10.2. A total of 102 countries took part in the research, compared to only 69 in 2020. This shows encouraging progress, and UNESCO will continue to monitor this aspect of SDG performance. UNESCO also facilitates capacity development initiatives and awareness-raising efforts on the importance of access to information.

This year’s survey findings showed that:

  • Having a dedicated capacity within public bodies improves access to information.
  • Countries that have a specialized oversight institution perform better than those without.
  • Record-keeping remains one of the major areas of improvement for these oversight institutions.
  • Networks of oversight institutions are playing a key role in advocating for access to information in the framework of the SDGs.  

By adopting a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach, UNESCO works with both duty-bearers and rights-holders across the world to develop and implement targeted actions that are born out of local needs, which ultimately ensures a results-based approach for sustainable change. Further, the organization is also collaborating with stakeholders in finalizing updated Policy Guidelines for the Development and Promotion of Governmental Public Domain Information, which were formulated to inspire action.

Looking ahead, UNESCO will continue to promote multilingualism and linguistic diversity as an essential pillar of universal access to information. As the lead United Nations agency for the organization of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), working with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, we will continue to mobilize stakeholders around the importance of preserving these languages, with a view to building truly inclusive knowledge societies.

Today, we call on all Member States and partners to join us and support our action to ensure that information can be advanced as a public good and as a cornerstone of healthy and democratic societies, so that we can all make informed decisions for today and for tomorrow.