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.
We invite national and local governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders worldwide to endorse the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration by the start of the Global Summit on October 6, 2025.
How to submit your endorsement
Please send an email to declaration2025@opengovpartnership.org with the following information:
Focal Point Details: The name, title, and contact information of the person submitting the endorsement. If someone other than the government’s designated OGP Point of Contact is submitting it, please copy the Point of Contact on the email (if applicable).
Official Name: 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. For example: “Open Government Partnership (International).”
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.
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
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How can I submit an endorsement?
Endorsements will only be accepted by email at declaration2025@opengovpartnership.org, 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
Government of Brazil (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Chile (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Estonia (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Germany (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Indonesia (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Kenya (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Morocco (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Philippines (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Spain (Steering Committee Member)
Government of the United Kingdom (Steering Committee Member)
Government of Uruguay
Government of the Republic of South Africa
Government of Sierra Leone
Government of Ghana
Local Governments
Municipalidad de San Joaquín, Chile
Gobierno del Estado de Jalisco, Mexico
Commune de Ouellé, Côte d’Ivoire
Intendencia de Montevideo, Uruguay
Orzhytsia Community, Ukraine
Commune of Tétouan, Kingdom of Morocco
Município de Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Kaduna State Government, Nigeria
Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nigeria
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
Leova City, Moldova
City of Detmold, Germany
Greater Al Karak Municipality, Jordan
Municipality of Rosario, Argentina
Timisoara Municipality, Romania
The Scottish Government, United Kingdom
City of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Metsamor Municipality, Armenia
Armavir Municipality, Armenia
Gobierno del Estado de Quintana Roo, México
Navarra, Spain
Oriental Region, Morocco
City of Bogotá, Colombia
Other
Forum per il Governo Aperto (OGP Italy Multistakeholder Forum)
Civil Society Organizations
Natalia Carfi, Open Data Charter (Steering Committee Member)
Anabel Cruz, ICD Uruguay (Steering Committee Member)
Eka Gigauri, Transparency International Georgia (Steering Committee Member)
Blair Glencorse, Accountability Lab (Steering Committee Member)
Katerina Hadzi-Miceva Evans, European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) (Steering Committee Member)
Zukiswa Kota, Public Service Accountability Monitor (Steering Committee Member)
Cielo Magno, Batay Kita (Steering Committee Member)
Stephanie Muchai, Incoming OGP Co-Chair (Steering Committee Member)
Laura Neuman, Carter Center (Steering Committee Member)
Doug Rutzen, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) (Steering Committee Member)
Barbara Schreiner, Water Integrity Network (Steering Committee Member)
SVS-Acció en Blau / ObservatoriCat (Catalonia, Spain)
e-PluribusUnum.org (United States)
Open Technologies Alliance – GFOSS (Greece)
Transparency International EU (International)
AfroLeadership (Cameroon)
Vouliwatch (Greece)
RE-ACT Research and Action (Italy)
Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative – PLSI (Nigeria)
The Good Lobby (Belgium)
Center for Environment, Human Rights and Development Forum – CEHRDF (Bangladesh)
Pour les Jeunes – 4Chabab (Morocco)
Bureau Pour la Croissance Intégrale et la Dignité de l’Enfant (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Fundación Corona (Colombia)
Connected by Data (United Kingdom)
L’Association Tunisienne pour un Futur Meilleur – ATFM (Tunisia)
Marea Deliberativa (Spain)
Democratic Society (International)
Global Participe (Congo Brazzaville)
Institut pour la Gouvernance et L’education Electorale – IGE (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
International Centre for Ethnic Studies (Sri Lanka)
Fundacion Multitudes (International)
Pan African Health Professionals Organisation – PAHPO (International)
Center for Justice and Human Rights – CJDH (Morocco)
Data Uruguay (Uruguay)
GIGAPP (International)
Réseau Nigérien Anti-corruption (Niger)
Observatori Ciutadà Contra la Corrupció – O3C (Catalonia)
Panos Institute Southern Africa (Zambia)
Fiquem Sabendo (Brazil)
UK Open Government Network (United Kingdom)
Iniciativa Barcelona Open Data (Spain)
“NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO (Armenia)
Ibsar Association for the Culture and Leisure of Persons with Disabilities (Tunisia)
Organisation Non Gouvernementale Eveil Côte d’Ivoire – ONG EVEIL-CI (Côte d’Ivoire)
ONG-AILD – Appui aux Initiatives Locales pour le Développement (Niger)
Publish What You Pay Indonesia (Indonesia)
Policy Alert (Nigeria)
Red Internacional de Justicia Abierta – RIJA (International)
International Budget Partnership (International)
Safe Ukraine 2030 Foundation (Ukraine)
Development of Education Action Network – DEAN (Nigeria)
Impact for Development (Morocco)
Democracia en Red (Argentina)
Transparency International (International)
Directorio Legislativo – DL (Argentina)
Association Afak pour la Réadaptation et l’Insertion des Personnes en Situation de Handicap à Laâyoune (Morocco)
Trust Democracy (New Zealand)
New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties (New Zealand)
Comité de entidades representantes de personas con discapacidad de Navarra – CERMIN (Spain)
Transparency International Indonesia (Indonesia)
Observatorio Legislativo (Argentina)
Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo, ICD (Uruguay)
Ciudadanía Inteligente (Latin America)
Social Watch (Bénin)
Mahintana Foundation, Inc. (Philippines)
UNCAC Coalition (International)