International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2024

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. The day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). 

UNESCO and its intergovernmental programs - the International Programme for Development of Communication and the Information for All Programme - provide a platform and frame for all the stakeholders to participate in international discussions on policy and guidelines in the area of access to information. 

The theme of the 2024 Global Conference on Universal Access to Information is "Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector". Hosted by the government of Ghana and UNESCO on 1-2 October 2024, the International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) serves as a platform to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. While significant strides have been taken, there remains a pressing need to accelerate progress globally.

This conference aligns with the International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed annually on September 28th. UNESCO and its partners will celebrate this day worldwide through advocacy activities, panel discussions, and global conversations with experts, highlighting the latest trends and best practices with regards to access to information.

The IDUAI 2024 Global Conference aims to explore how mainstreaming Access to Information (ATI) laws across government sectors can enhance the right to information. Throughout the conference, government representatives and civil society actors will demonstrate how access to information policies are implemented across diverse government entities. Additionally, there will be a focus on the role of non-governmental actors in ensuring policy coherence for ATI implementation across both public and private sectors.

The conference's main objective is to offer Governments and civil society a list of best practices for mainstreaming the right to information into the organisational systems and culture of different public authorities.

Emphasizing African experiences, the conference will underscore the benefits of access to information in fostering peaceful and inclusive societies conducive to sustainable development.