The Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration unites governments, civil society organizations, and partners worldwide around a shared vision for strengthening democracy, protecting civic space, and advancing open, accountable, and inclusive governance.
Adopted ahead of the IX Global Summit of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the Declaration reaffirms the global open government community’s commitment to transparency, participation, and accountability. It highlights concrete areas where governments and civil society can work together to address today’s most pressing global challenges and leverage multilateral networks—including OGP—as platforms for voluntary cooperation. By endorsing the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration, governments and organizations will be publicly recognized as part of the global open government community reaffirming its commitment to democracy, civic space, and the open government principles outlined in the declaration. This endorsement is voluntary and does not create any legal or financial obligations.
Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration
We, the undersigned governments, civil society organizations, and other actors committed to the principles of open government, unite our voices on the occasion of the IX Global Summit of the Open Government Partnership. Under the initiative and leadership of the Steering Committee, this declaration reaffirms our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Open Government Declaration, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention Against Corruption, and other international instruments related to human rights and good governance.
Recognizing that this declaration comes at a time of profound global uncertainty, marked by eroding public trust in institutions, shrinking civic space, widening socio-economic inequalities, growing disregard for fundamental rights and international law, and intensifying pressure against multilateralism,
Acknowledging that today’s most pressing challenges – corruption and the erosion of democratic institutions, mis and disinformation, cyberthreats, transnational repression, unaccounted costs of environmental degradation, and deepening polarization – transcend borders and cannot be addressed by any government or institution alone. Meeting them requires global cooperation and local action, rooted in strengthened public participation, human rights-centered digital governance, and collective and multilateral responses to security, climate and environmental crises.
Affirming that inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance, underpinned by public sector integrity, is necessary for restoring democratic resilience, rebuilding trust, and delivering effective, equitable outcomes for all,
Concerned by intensifying restrictions on civic space, media freedom, and access to information, as well as increasing risks, harassment, and shrinking financial support faced by civil society organizations, journalists, human rights defenders, and grassroots actors,
Welcoming the Open Government Partnership as a platform for voluntary cooperation that strengthens reforms and reformers and connects global commitments to action at the national and local levels,
We reaffirm our commitment to:
- Protect democracy, safeguard civic space and uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and access to information. We will work to reduce legal, financial, and digital barriers that constrain civil society, independent media, and public participation in civic life and oversight, including in situations of conflict and humanitarian crises.
- Promote open government principles across all branches and levels of government to embed transparency, accountability, and participation into public institutions. This includes advancing financial integrity through greater openness in public finances, contracting, and beneficial ownership, to promote trust, fiscal responsibility, and informed public oversight.
- Strengthen international cooperation and shared learning by aligning open government efforts with broader global agendas on safeguarding democracy, addressing climate action, advancing sustainable development, ensuring information integrity, and governing artificial intelligence, data, and emerging technologies to build prosperous and resilient societies.
- Mobilize collective leadership and political will at national and local levels to demonstrate that open government can help deliver more effective, equitable, and trusted outcomes.
- Leverage the Open Government Partnership to foster inclusive dialogue, bridge divides, facilitate exchange of good practice across borders and sectors, and accelerate reforms that reflect domestic priorities and respond to people’s needs.
We call upon all governments, civil society organizations, multilateral institutions, private sector actors, and individuals everywhere to join us in committing to this declaration and to demonstrate leadership in applying open government principles, including through the OGP. Together, we can strengthen and protect democracy to meet the challenges of our time and the needs of future generations.
Approved & tabled by the OGP Steering Committee
- How can I submit an endorsement?
Endorsements will only be accepted by email at [email protected], with the information requested above under “How to submit your endorsement”. - What is the deadline?
Endorsements will be accepted until the conclusion of the Summit on October 10, 2025. To ensure inclusion in official Summit communications, endorsements are encouraged to be submitted by October 6, 2025. - Who can endorse the Declaration?
National and local governments (both OGP and non-OGP members), civil society organizations (local/national and international), and multilateral organizations are invited to endorse. - At what level should endorsements be made?
Endorsements must be made on behalf of a government or organization as a whole, not by individuals or individual departments. For example: “Government of [Country/Municipality/City/etc.]” or “[Organization Name].” - Are individual endorsements accepted?
No. Endorsements submitted in a personal capacity by government officials, organization representatives, or citizens will not be considered. - What information is needed to submit an endorsement?
- The name, title, and contact details of the focal point submitting the endorsement.
- The official name of your government or organization as you wish it to appear on the public list of supporters.
- For non-governmental organizations, include the country where your organization is based, or indicate “international” if applicable.
- What happens after I submit an endorsement?
Once received, complete endorsement will be added to the public list of supporters on the OGP website and reflected in related public communications. The public list will be updated on a daily basis.- Incomplete submissions will be delayed until all necessary information is provided.
- Endorsements sent from a personal, non-institutional email address will require verification before being added to the public list of endorsers.
- How was the Declaration developed?
The Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration was developed by the OGP Steering Committee, drawing on input and leadership from across its government and civil society members. - Is the text open to suggested edits?
No. The final text of the Declaration has already been approved by the OGP Steering Committee, and further edits are no longer being considered. - Will there be a signing ceremony at the Summit?
Ceremonial moment(s) to mark the Declaration will be included in the Summit programming. Further details will be communicated in the coming weeks. - Does the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration replace the Open Government Declaration?
No. The Open Government Declaration remains the primary commitment that members who wish to join OGP are asked to endorse. The Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration is an opportunity to reaffirm the open government community’s commitment to the principles underlying OGP, including the Open Government Declaration. It reflects the current geopolitical context, nearly fifteen years since OGP—and the Open Government Declaration—were first launched. - Does endorsing the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration translate into OGP membership?
No. Endorsing the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration does not translate into OGP membership. For details on how to join OGP, please consult the OGP website.
Endorsed by
National Governments
Albania
Armenia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Côte d’Ivoire
Croatia
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Ghana
Honduras
Indonesia
Italy
Kenya
Latvia
Liberia
Lithuania
Morocco
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Portugal
Romania
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Spain
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Local Governments
Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
City of Athens, Greece
City of Bogotá, Colombia
City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
City of Detmold, Germany
City of Glasgow, UK
City of Leova, Moldova
Commune of Ouellé, Côte d’Ivoire
Commune of Tanger, Morocco
Commune of Tétouan, Morocco
Eusko Jaurlaritza – Basque Government, Spain
Kaduna State, Nigeria
La Mé Region, Côte d’Ivoire
Montevideo, Uruguay
Municipality of Armavir, Armenia
Municipality of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Municipality of Greater Al Karak, Jordan
Municipality of Metsamor, Armenia
Municipality of Padre Bernardo Goiás, Brazil
Municipality of Peñalolén, Chile
Municipality of Piranhas Goiás, Brazil
Municipality of Rosario, Argentina
Municipality of San Joaquín, Chile
Municipality of Timisoara, Romania
Municipality of Turvânia Goiás, Brazil
Municipality of Valparaíso Goiás, Brazil
Municipality of Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil
Navarra, Spain
Oriental Region, Morocco
Orzhytsia Community, Ukraine
Province of Córdoba, Argentina
Quezon City, Philippines
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
State of Goiás, Brazil
State of Jalisco, Mexico
State of Quintana Roo, Mexico
The Scottish Government
The Welsh Government
Multilateral/Other
Chandler Foundation
Comisión Económica Para América Latina y el Caribe de las Naciones Unidas – CEPAL/ECLAC
Forum per il Governo Aperto (OGP Italy Multistakeholder Forum)
Judicial Branch of the Dominican Republic
Department of Finance, NI
Civil Society Organizations
Access Info Europe (International)
Accountability Lab (International)
African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development (Nigeria)
AfroLeadership (Cameroon)
Agencia Vasca de la Innovación-INNOBASQUE (Basque Country, Spain)
Armavir Development Center (Armenia)
Association Afak pour la Réadaptation et l’Insertion des Personnes en Situation de Handicap à Laâyoune (Morocco)
Association Enfance et Solidarité (Oriental Maroc)
Associazione italiana per la comunicazione e informazione digitale (Italy)
Bantay Kita (Philippines)
Bureau Pour la Croissance Intégrale et la Dignité de l’Enfant (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Center for Environment, Human Rights and Development Forum (Bangladesh)
Center for Justice and Human Rights (Morocco)
Centro de Innovación para las Contrataciones Abiertas – CICAB (Chile)
Ciudadan@s por la Transparencia (Mexico)
Ciudadanía Inteligente (Latin America)
Civic Initiatives (Serbia)
COGLOBAL (Spain)
Comité de Entidades Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad de Navarra (Spain)
Connected by Data (United Kingdom)
Data Uruguay (Uruguay)
Democracia en Red (Argentina)
Democratic Society (International)
Development of Education Action Network (Nigeria)
Directorio Legislativo (Argentina)
e-PluribusUnum.org (United States)
European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (International)
Fiquem Sabendo (Brazil)
Fundación Corona (Colombia)
Fundacion Multitudes (International)
GIGAPP (International)
Global Participe (Congo Brazzaville)
Habitable Earth International Organization (Nigeria)
Ibsar Association for the Culture and Leisure of Persons with Disabilities (Tunisia)
Impact for Development (Morocco)
Iniciativa Barcelona Open Data (Spain)
Institut pour la Gouvernance et L’education Electorale (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo (Uruguay)
International Budget Partnership (International)
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (International)
International Centre for Ethnic Studies (Sri Lanka)
Italian Association of Public and Institutional Communication (Italy)
Just for Peace and Education (Madagascar)
Kejibaus Youth Development Initiative (Nigeria)
L’Association Tunisienne pour un Futur Meilleur (Tunisia)
La Coalition Civile pour la Montagne (Morocco)
La Iniciativa Regional Rendir Cuentas (Latin America & the Caribbean)
Maatschappelijke Coalitie over Informatie Gesproken (Netherlands)
Mahintana Foundation (Philippines)
Marea Deliberativa (Spain)
Meluibe Empowerment Foundation (Nigeria)
Network of Estonian Non-Profit Organisations (Estonia)
New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties (New Zealand)
NGO Center – Civil Society Development (Armenia)
Observatori Ciutadà Contra la Corrupció (Catalonia)
Observatorio Legislativo (Argentina)
ONG-AILD – Appui aux Initiatives Locales pour le Développement (Niger)
Open Data Charter (International)
Open Knowledge Foundation (International)
Open State Foundation (Netherlands)
Open Technologies Alliance (Greece)
Organisation Non Gouvernementale Eveil (Côte d’Ivoire)
Pan African Health Professionals Organisation (International)
Panos Institute Southern Africa (Zambia)
Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (Nigeria)
Plateforme de la Société Civile pour le Partenariat pour le Gouvernement Ouvert (Côte d’Ivoire)
Policy Alert (Nigeria)
Politeia Research Group at the State University of Santa Catarina (Brazil)
Pour les Jeunes – 4Chabab (Morocco)
Public Service Accountability Monitor (South Africa)
Publish What You Pay Indonesia (Indonesia)
RE-ACT Research and Action (Italy)
Red Académica de Gobierno Abierto de Chile (Chile)
Red Internacional de Justicia Abierta (International)
Réseau Nigérien Anti-corruption (Niger)
Safe Ukraine 2030 Foundation (Ukraine)
Social Watch (Bénin)
SVS-Acció en Blau / ObservatoriCat (Catalonia, Spain)
The Good Lobby (Belgium)
Transparency International
Transparency International (EU)
Transparency International (Georgia)
Transparency International (Germany)
Transparency International (Greece)
Transparency International (Indonesia)
Transparency International (Spain)
Transparency International (UK)
Transparency International (Ukraine)
Trust Democracy (New Zealand)
U-HUB (Ukraine)
UK Open Government Network (United Kingdom)
UNCAC Coalition (International)
Vouliwatch (Greece)
Water Integrity Network (International)
World Justice Project (International)
Transparency International (Zambia)