Steering Committee Co-Chair Agenda 2025-2026

As the Government of Brazil and Steph Muchai assume their roles as Co-ChairsThe Steering Committee is led by a pair of lead co-chairs, one from government and one from civil society, who are part of a leadership troika comprising the current (lead), incoming, and outgoing co-... More of the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP), they bring a shared vision rooted in collective progress and transformation — one that seeks to respond to people’s real-life needs, experiences, and perspectives.

Across the world, rapid political, economic, technological, and environmental shifts are combining with persistent structural challenges to produce multiple, overlapping crises that governments are consistently required to confront. Meanwhile, civic actors face existential threats that undermine their ability to contribute to just, open, resilient, and prosperous societies.

Rising authoritarianism, geopolitical tensions, disinformation, and deepening inequalities are eroding public trust, weakening institutions, and fragmenting societies. These challenges arise precisely when intentional, coordinated, and cooperative efforts among States are most needed to deliver better outcomes for both people and the planet.

This is the mission of the open government agenda: far from being just a set of technical reforms, it is a powerful political project — an engine for hopeful alternatives to authoritarianism and failures in collective action.

In this context, our two strategic priorities as Co-Chairs are:

1. Open government in practice: Steering dual digital and environmental transitions for people and planet
2. Open government for a better world: OGP’s role in international dialogue and cooperation

Open Government in Practice

Steering dual digital and environmental transitions for people and planet

The digital and environmental transitions are reshaping how we live, how we make sense of the world, and the conditions under which we negotiate differences and seek common ground across diverse actors and perspectives.

Tackling climate change and democratizing the benefits — while mitigating the risks — of the digital revolution requires the engagement of all sectors of society.

The Co‑Chairship presents a timely opportunity to promote the tangible benefits of open government as a means to collectively address these dual transitions, showcasing concrete and transformative domestic applications of the principles of openness, transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, participation, accountability, integrity, and responsiveness in climate action and digital policy.

These principles not only improve the quality, legitimacy, and effectiveness of government, but also enable the kind of public action that can advance economic justiceTo address barriers that prevent citizens from having their justice needs met, OGP participating governments are working to expand transparency, accountability, and inclusion into all systems of justi..., reduce inequalities within and among countries, expand equitable access to public resources and services, rebuild public trust, uphold human rightsAn essential part of open government includes protecting the sacred freedoms and rights of all citizens, including the most vulnerable groups, and holding those who violate human rights accountable. T... and diversity, strengthen democratic resilience, and protect civic space.

Throughout the year, we will create opportunities for mutual learning across countries and sectors, focusing on:

• Concrete processes for reshaping the relationship between government and society to make it more participatory, collaborative, and accountable; and
• Innovations in public management that strengthen the capacity of governments for meaningful, high-quality civic engagement.

Open Government for a Better World

OGP’s role in international dialogue and cooperation

As OGP approaches its 15th anniversary in 2026, this is a timely moment to take stock of our collective journey — learning from the past and sharpening our focus on the future.

Building on the Open Government DeclarationThe Open Government Declaration is the declaration of commitment to upholding the principles of open and transparent government, approved by the founding countries of OGP in 2011. Countries are requir... and the OGP’s 2023-2028 Strategy, which remain strong foundations for addressing new and emerging challenges, the Co-Chairs see OGP@15 as a critical opportunity to reflect, adapt, and reinvigorate political leadership and commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to open government values.

At a time when global challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected, the open government agenda must continue to strengthen its contribution to international dialogue and cooperation. To this end, we will work with the OGP Steering CommitteeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru... and broader membership to:

• Inspire and support efforts to sustain and expand open government reforms across the globe, highlighting OGP’s role as a mechanism for delivering tangible results;
• Elevate key global voices and leadership in regional and international fora to secure multilateral cooperation and political support for open, accountable governance for people and the planet;
• Activate and nurture new generations of leadership and ownership for the open government movement; and
• Promote national and local evidence-based strategies for integrated, multi-level governance to guide OGP’s next 15 years.

This is a pivotal moment to shape the next chapter of the Partnership — with shared purpose, meaningful collaboration, and sustained determination.

Brazil and Steph Muchai invite governments, civil society, and all stakeholders to redouble collective efforts toward open government for a better world.

Belém do Pará, Brazil

November 12th, 2025