Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at the UN level in October 2019.
Access to information is a human right that serves the entire public, in particular civil society and the media. When citizens have access to information held by public bodies, societies as a whole are empowered to contribute to sustainable development.
Access to information is essential to hold leaders accountable, to increase safety in the field of health, and to ensure other human rights. The right to information, especially when overseen by special bodies, ensures that governments inform citizens on their actions, which is especially relevant in times of crisis. Such transparency and disclosure contribute to sustainable development in general and ensure access to health, education and justice in particular.
This year, the event will contribute to the exchange of good practices and guidelines on the right to access information. It will highlight the key role of access to information in saving lives and mitigating the impact of crises such as the current pandemic, as well as in shaping sustainable policies.