DBM Press Release
The Open Government Partnership Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting, which the Philippines hosted from February 5-7, 2025, officially concluded with a closing plenary attended by reformers and champions from governments and civil society from over 40 participating countries.
At the end of the three-day landmark event, around 800 participants joined the call to work towards making communities stronger, more open, transparent, participatory, inclusive, and accountable.
“As you know, while much has been accomplished, our work is far from over. With renewed commitment and stronger partnerships, this is just the beginning of a brighter future,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary and PH-OGP Chair Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman said during the Open Government Challenge Workshop on Open Contracting, one of the sessions during the last day of the event.
Speaking at the closing plenary as a representative of the Department of Budget and Management, Undersecretary Rolando U. Toledo recognized the organizing committee, headed by Sec. Pangandaman; the PH-OGP Steering Committee from the government and non-government sectors; the Vice Sub-Committee Chairperson and its members; the PH-OGP Project Management Office; the OGP Support Unit; and all liaison officers, volunteers, and partners who made the event possible.
He also encouraged leaders and participants to apply best practices, commitments, and new partnerships forged during the regional meeting to advance the open government agenda in their areas of influence.
“As we return to our respective fields, may we take this as a challenge to carry forward the knowledge we have gained and find innovative ways to imbed the principles of open government partnership in our daily lives,” Usec. Toledo said.
“As we part ways, let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and strive for excellence in advancing our shared advocacy for a transparent, accountable, and thriving government in all nations,” he added.
From February 5-7, the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting involved 35 side events, 3 plenaries, 3 high-level roundtables, and more than 20 breakout sessions.
The discussions revolved around the open gov challenge areas, including the developments and issues on access to information, anti-corruption, civic space, climate and environment, digital governance, fiscal openness, gender and inclusion, justice, media freedom, and public participation.
The next OGP Global Summit will be held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain on October 7-9, 2025.
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