2026 Government Steering Committee Elections

Launching the 2026 Elections

Three seats on the OGP Steering Committee (SC) are opening up for the 2026 elections. The Government of Spain is concluding its first term and is eligible for reelection. The Government of Kenya is leaving the SC after serving the maximum of two consecutive terms. The United States withdrew from OGP on January 15, vacating its SC seat. Two of the three seats will be filled at the start of the new SC term on October 1, while the third vacant seat will be filled directly following elections.

About the Steering Committee

The OGP Steering Committee is the Partnership’s political and strategic leadership body, made up of 11 governments and 11 civil society leaders. Together they guide OGP’s overall direction, promote its mission, and help strengthen its global impact. As stewards of the Partnership, Steering Committee members use their collective and individual influence to build political support for open government, motivate and inspire action across the OGP community, and elevate OGP’s international profile. Steering Committee members are also expected to lead by example by upholding OGP values, co-creating and implementing ambitious open government reforms, and supporting OGP’s financial sustainability, including through their country’s contributions. In its central governance role, the Steering Committee sets key policies, ensures accountability to OGP’s principles, and safeguards the integrity of the Partnership. Learn more about the Steering Committee here.

All Steering Committee members, including newly elected, may also run to serve as co-chairs of the Partnership. Co-chairs are elected by the 22 members of the Steering Committee. Co-chairs elected in 2026 will serve as Incoming Co-Chairs starting on October 1, 2026, and then assume the role of Lead Co-Chairs for one year on October 1, 2027, following the Government of the United Kingdom and Laura Neuman. The formal call for co-chair candidates will follow the conclusion of the general elections. However, candidates interested in the co-chair role are encouraged to note this in their letters.

Process to submit your candidacy

Candidates that meet the below criteria and requirements are invited to submit a letter of candidacy to [email protected] by July 1, 2026.

All letters sent to the OGP Steering Committee should be addressed to the current Lead Co-Chairs:

• Vinicius Marques de Carvalho
  Minister of State, Office of the Comptroller General
  Government of Brazil
• Stephanie Muchai
  Lead Civil Society Co-Chair 2025-2026

Candidacy letters should outline the government’s motivation to stand for election and express the candidate’s commitment to lead by example in their own OGP processes and participation, including by upholding the values and principles of OGP, meeting the minimum expectations in the co-creation and implementation of action plans, and fulfilling annual country contributions. 

While there is no specific format/template, letters should aim to address the following questions:

• What unique strengths, expertise, or perspectives would your government bring to the Steering Committee?
• Which areas or priorities of the OGP 2023-2028 Strategy would your government champion in an external leadership role on the Steering Committee, and how would you advance them?
• How would your government leverage its Steering Committee membership to strengthen its domestic open government agenda?

Criteria to run for a government seat on the Steering Committee

• Shall meet OGP’s eligibility criteria, including the values check, as outlined in the most up-to-date database of scores used to determine OGP membership eligibility;
• Shall not have an open Response Policy case.
• Shall not be in inactive status as designated by the SC.
• Should have paid country contributions to OGP at or above the minimum amount for the past two consecutive years.
  Countries that have not met this requirement shall include in their letter of intent a commitment to meet country contributions by the end of year in which they are elected, and every year during their tenure on the Steering Committee.

Requirements for submitting candidacy letters

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria outlined above, new or returning candidates shall also address the following requirements in their letters of candidacy:

1. High-Level Political Commitment: Candidates shall have ministerial or higher-level political commitment to actively fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the Steering Committee, both domestically and internationally.
2. Support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA): Candidates shall have explicit support from their MFAs to actively participate in the Steering Committee, including the appointment of an MFA liaison.
3. Working-Level and Ministerial Representation: Candidates shall appoint both a ministerial representative and a working-level representative, at a minimum level outlined in the governance review, to ensure effective engagement.
4. Active Participation in OGP Activities: Candidates shall commit to ensuring appropriate representation at SC and subcommittee meetings, as well as key OGP events (e.g., Regional Meetings, Global Summits), including in-person participation when required.

Selection and Voting Process

If the number of candidates exceeds the available seats, voting will be necessary. After the application deadline passes, all eligible* governments will receive the list of candidates and voting instructions via email. The voting process is managed by a third-party company, and the Support Unit will only receive the final results without any disaggregation. Ballots are confidential and will not be disclosed or published. Further information on the voting procedure will be provided in due course.

*Governments currently placed under inactive or suspended status pursuant to the Response Policy are not eligible to participate in SC elections. Members of the OGP Local programme are also currently not eligible to participate in these elections.

Composition & Regional Balance of the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is composed of 22 members (11 from national governments and 11 from civil society), with parity maintained between the two constituencies. Steering Committee members serve for a term of three years and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms (must be re-elected). The government SC composition (including the three with terms ending in 2026) is as follows:

Per the Articles of Governance, the SC shall be composed of a minimum of one and a maximum of four governments from each of the four regions (Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe). As all regions already meet the minimum balance required, the maximum possible allocation of the three open seats is as follows: up to three from Africa; up to two from Americas; up to two from Asia-Pacific; and up to one from Europe.

Timeline for the 2026 Government Elections