Georgia Permanently Suspended from the Open Government Partnership Following Response Policy Review

Washington, D.C.  – The Open Government Partnership (OGP) today announced that the Government of Georgia has been permanently suspended in the Partnership, following a decision by the OGP Steering Committee, in accordance with the OGP Response Policy.

This decision follows a review process that began in October 2024, when the Steering Committee temporarily suspended Georgia’s participation and called on the government to take corrective measures to address concerns related to civic space, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly.

As of March 2026, no plan or formal communication outlining steps toward addressing these concerns has been received.

In the absence of a government work plan or reporting demonstrating corrective measures, the Steering Committee relied on independent third-party evaluations that point to continued legislative and institutional restrictions on the operating environment for civil society and media, alongside ongoing concerns regarding the protection of fundamental freedoms.

The Steering Committee concluded that the conditions necessary for participation in OGP, including an enabling environment for government and civil society collaboration, are no longer present. The decision formalizes Georgia’s permanent suspension in OGP and closes the Response Policy case.

“The Open Government Partnership is rooted in the principle that governments and civil society must be able to work together in an environment that protects fundamental freedoms. After a comprehensive and fair review process, the conclusion was that these conditions are not currently met in Georgia,” said Aidan Eyakuze, CEO of the Open Government Partnership. “OGP recognizes the important role of civil society organizations, journalists, and reformers in Georgia in advancing openness and accountability, often in challenging circumstances.”

OGP remains committed to its core values of transparency, accountability, and participation, and applies its processes consistently across all participating countries. A country that has been withdrawn from the Partnership may seek to rejoin in the future, provided it meets OGP’s Eligibility Criteria, including demonstrating adherence to the Open Government Declaration and passing the required Values Check.

“We are hopeful that Georgia will rejoin the Open Government Partnership at the right moment, when conditions improve, bringing energy and commitment back to the crucial endeavor of making government work better for people better through domestic and global collaboration,” added Eyakuze.