Publishing government data online can improve accountability and transparency not only of national governments, but also of parliaments and the judiciary. Consequently, open data will play an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted in 2015 by the United Nations with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [1, 2]. With growing access to social media, an increasing number of countries now proactively use networking opportunities to engage with people and evolve towards participatory decision-making. This is done through open data, online consultations, and multiple ICT-related channels.
So states the 'E-Government Survey 2016' report, published last month by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM).
Sustainable development
Chapter 2 of the report is in its entirety devoted to 'Transparency through open government data'. It is only through access to the information — that includes data — held by public authorities that people can understand what is happening within governments, how decisions are made and how funds are spent.
The report states four reasons why open access to publicly held information is critical to sustainable development:
- Open government data supports policy integration and institutional coordination by improving data sharing across ministries and levels of government, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of governments' response to complex and multidimensional development challenges.
- Open government data contributes to the effectiveness of public institutions in fighting poverty, reducing hunger, providing essential social services and responding to the needs of women and vulnerable groups. Further, access to timely and reliable data about public sector policies, allocation of tax revenues and international aid provides people with the information they need to hold their governments accountable.
- Open government data can enhance collaboration and partnerships across sectors in planning and decision-making processes, and in the design and delivery of services; therefore increasing value to the public. The availability of data for different government sectors and services can also be used to benchmark different services and thereby increase the performance of the public sector. Access to information about national priorities, policies, action plans and expenditures in support of the SDGs can also ensure that government institutions deliver on promises made. Moreover, quality, accessible, timely and reliable disaggregated data is critical to measure progress made in the implementation of the SDGs and ensure that the goals are making a difference for the poorest and most vulnerable and that no one is left behind.
- Making data available online allows the public to reuse and remix freely available data for any purpose, leading to new services, innovation and enhanced economic opportunities.
