Transcript of the Video Message by Angel Gurría 

OECD Secretary-General

24 Sept, 2020 - Paris, France 

 

 

 

Dear Open Government Leaders,

It is a pleasure to address the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in the context of the 75th United Nations General Assembly.

The world is at a turning point. We are in the midst of a crisis that is revealing the systemic weaknesses of our societies. And while the pandemic is the most immediate threat, it also demonstrates that we continue to face high levels of inequality, economic stagnation, climate change, and rising social discontent.

To achieve an inclusive and sustainable recovery, we urgently need to rethink the relationship between citizens and governments and to regain people’s trust in their institutions. In this respect, the open government principles of Transparency, Accountability, Integrity and Stakeholder Participation can pave the way to a successful recovery.

Why are these principles indispensable?

• Transparency is key to fight the disinformation that prevents people from being properly informed, and contributes to more accurate and productive national debates on recovery strategies;
  
  
• Accountability mechanisms and integrity are essential to prevent corruption and ensure that recovery funds are well utilised;
  
  
• And Stakeholder participation allows governments to tap into their people’s collective intelligence, to tailor the recovery to societal needs, and to promote consensus in support of government actions.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The COVID-19 crisis has created unparalleled challenges for our economies and societies, but we are also presented with opportunities that will allow us to build back better.

The OECD will continue to work with its members and with key strategic partners like the OGP to gather evidence and provide policy advice on how to collectively shape a more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable future.  Thank you.

 

 

See also:

OECD work on Public Governance