The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) is annually observed across the globe on 28 September to raise awareness regarding the need to expand laws related to information.
- International Day for Universal Access to Information 2022 is observed on 28 September 2022.
- 28 September 2022 marks the 3rd celebration of International Day for Universal Access to Information 2022.
Global Conference on Universal Access to Information 2022
Global Conference on Universal Access to Information 2022 organised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 28th & 29th September 2022 launched the 2022 edition of the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
- The theme of the Global Conference on Universal Access to Information 2022 is “Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information“.
- The theme focuses on the importance of artificial intelligence, e-Governance, and Access to Information, in addition, to the role of media and information literacy and open access.
Background:
i. The IDUAI was proclaimed by the 38th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference in 2015.
ii. On 15th October 2019, the 74th UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/74/5 and declared 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
iii. The 1st UN International Day for Universal Access to Information was observed on 28 September 2020.
Note: 135 countries in the world have been issued access to Information laws, with six having passed new rules during the COVID-19 period between 2020 & 2021.
Objective:
The IDUAI is annually observed to recognize the importance of the right of access to information for defending other human rights, restoring trust, and advancing inclusive, democratic societies.
Universal Access to Information
i. Access to Information is an integral part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as recognized by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
ii. The Universal Access to Information states that the fundamental right of freedom of expression encompasses the freedom “to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director General- Ms Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters- Paris, France
Establishment- 1945
