PRESS RELEASE: South Africa makes major commitment towards financial transparency as regional government and civil society leaders gather

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Cape Town, South Africa– May 5, 2016.  Over 500 high-level participants from civil society organizations, business, academia, multilateral organizations and governments are expected to attend the two-day Africa Regional 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) Meeting, May 5-6 at the Century City Conference Center in Cape Town under the banner of: “Open Government for Africa’s Sustainable Development.”

“As one of the global initiatives that encourage trust in the relationship between governments and civil society, the OGP has already managed to facilitate some very important changes in a relatively short period of time” said Ayanda Dlodlo, South Africa’s Deputy Minister for Public Service Administration. “As the current 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... co-chair and a leader on open government in Africa, South Africa is especially pleased to use this occasion to present a National Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... that includes a 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 create a public Beneficial OwnershipDisclosing beneficial owners — those who ultimately control or profit from a business — is essential for combating corruption, stemming illicit financial flows, and fighting tax evasion. Technical... More registry, in order to protect the integrity and 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 of the global financial and public procurementTransparency in the procurement process can help combat corruption and waste that plagues a significant portion of public procurement budgets globally. Technical specifications: Commitments that aim t... More systems.”

Also on the agenda for discussion at the meeting will be implementation of the Sustainable Development GoalsOGP countries are experimenting with open government innovations to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16+ which includes peaceful, just and inclusive societies... using the OGP platform, illicit financial flows, open contractingA transparent procurement process, known as open contracting, increases competition, improves public service delivery, and ensures governments better value for their money. Technical specifications: C... More, open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... in Africa, supporting youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More in open government and advancing Access to JusticeAccessible justice systems – both formal and informal – ensure that individuals and communities with legal needs know where to go for help, obtain the help they need, and move through a system tha... More on the continent and elsewhere.

Mukelani Dimba, executive director of the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) and newly elected co-chair of the OGP Steering Committee (along with Georgia, both effective for two years starting October 1, 2016) commented on data from OGP’s Independent Reporting Mechanism that shows that while the Africa region tends to have the greatest ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po... in its commitments, these countries also currently tend to be the least likely to carry out implementation. “I hope that with meetings like this one, and tools like the OGP National Action Plans, African leaders will realize that they need greater participation from citizens if they are to successfully create and implement changes needed to meet the pressing challenges of our continent including the triple challenge of inequality, poverty and unemployment.”

Founded by eight governments, including South Africa, and nine Civil Society Organizations at a United Nations side event in September 2011, OGP has grown to include hundreds of CSOs and 69 governments, including ten in Africa: Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Tanzania, Tunisia, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

Notes to Editors:

1.     About the Open Government Partnership

OGP launched in September 2011 with eight governments and nine civil society organizations. Today OGP is composed of 69 governments and hundreds of civil society organizations who together have made over 2,500 commitments to bring about greater transparency and accountability, facilitating real changes that improve the lives of citizens around the world. For further information visit: http://www.opengovpartnership.org

2.     About the Open Government Partnership’s Regional Meetings

Regional Meetings provide an important opportunity for regional reformers, and those from abroad, to come together to exchange open government experiences, and share best practices and latest news with a special focus on the Region. Through panels and interactive workshops, Regional Meetings help connect members of government, academia, civil society, business and multilateral organizations facilitating peer learning across countries and continents.

3.     Follow latest the latest developments from the Africa Regional Meeting:

●      Africa Regional Meeting Website

●      Twitter: #OGPAfrica2016  @opengovpart

●      Livestream of opening plenary (May 5, 9:00 – 11:00 GMT+2) and closing plenary (May 6, 15:30 – 17:00 GMT+2)  

MEDIA CONTACT

Open Government Partnership Support UnitThe OGP Support Unit is a small, permanent group of staff that work closely with the Steering Committee and the Independent Reporting Mechanism to advance the goals of the Open Government Partnership....

Dietlind Lerner, Communications Director

dietlind.lerner@opengovpartnership.org