Athens actively participates in the global Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, with the Mayor of Athens co-signing the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration, adopted ahead of the upcoming OGP Global Summit to be held in Vitoria-Gasteiz on October 6–10, 2025.
The Declaration brings together governments, civil society organizations, and partners from around the world around a shared vision:
- Strengthening democracy
- Protecting civic space
- Promoting transparent, accountable, and participatory governance
By endorsing the Declaration, Athens reaffirms its commitment to contributing, through open government practices, to addressing today’s critical global challenges, in collaboration with governments, citizens, and institutions worldwide. Besides, on July 30, 2025, the Municipal Council of the City of Athens approved the city’s first OGP Local Action Plan and Strategic Vision for its participation in the OGP Local initiative, thus moving into the implementation phase.
It is noted that the Open Technologies Alliance (GFOSS) and Vouliwatch have also co-signed the Declaration as civil society organizations. Both are actively involved in the OGP Local Team, contributing to the co-creation and implementation of the City’s first Action Plan. Together with the City of Athens, they are the only entities from Greece to have co-signed the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration, representing the country within the global Open Government community.
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