ICIC issues statement supporting citizens' access to information

Members of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) recently issued a statement on ‘Transparency and digital age: the information commissioner’s role and citizen empowerment’, following its international conference held in Albania between 3 and 5 June.

The statement recognises that access to information is a fundamental pillar of social, economic and democratic governance, underscored by its inclusion in various international human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The ICIC statement emphasised that access to information is essential for individuals to exercise their rights and participate in governance. The full joint statement can be read here.

There are four Australian members of the ICIC, including the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC gave a report on information access developments on behalf of all other Australian members including the IPC NSW.

For the first time, the OAIC was elected as an ICIC committee member to represent Australia and to share lessons learned as the ICIC works to uplift access to public information globally. Acting Australian Information Commissioner and former NSW Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd will lead the efforts on behalf of Australia at the ICIC.

The 2024 ICIC was held in Tirana, Albania, and virtually from 3–5 July 2024, and is a global forum that connects member information commissioners responsible for the protection and promotion of access to information and transparency laws.

Further information about the ICIC can be found via its website.

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