Now, 70 countries are participating in the OGP."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla emphasized the importance of awareness about transparency and public services at the annual high-level meeting of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

"The vice president shares Indonesias experience in the application of the principles of transparency, openness, as well as improvement of public participation," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release received here on Thursday.

"The Indonesian Government also wants to actively involve civil society in the formulation and implementation of government policies," the vice president said.

The vice president remarked that Indonesia would strengthen collaboration between the ministry and civil society to increase awareness concerning transparency and public services.

"Indonesia has committed to promoting the principles of OGP, including the aspiration to become OGPs ambassador in the Asia Pacific region," he pointed out.

On the occasion, the vice president also welcomed the positive development of OGPs initiative.

The enthusiasm of the countries could be seen from the growing number of OGP member countries.

"Now, 70 countries are participating in the OGP," he remarked.

OGP is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder international initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to their citizenry to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

In pursuit of these goals, OGP provides an international forum for dialogue and sharing ideas and experience among governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector, all of which contribute to a common pursuit of open government.

OGP stakeholders include participating governments, as well as civil society and private sector entities that support the principles and mission of OGP.

The partnership was initiated in 2011 by eight countries, namely South Africa, the United States, Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, Britain, Mexico, and Norway. Indonesia chaired the OGP in 2013.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/S012)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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