MANILA – More than 800 delegates, including government officials, civil society leaders, and policymakers from over 40 countries, have assembled in Manila for the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM). The event, hosted at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taguig City, will span from Wednesday to Friday and focus on enhancing open government practices and tackling regional issues through collaborative efforts across the Asia-Pacific region.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the significance of the gathering, stating in a solidarity message, “This meeting transcends mere display of accomplishments; it’s a clarion call for unity among nations… By fostering trust, cooperation, and faith in our collective strength, we can forge a world where every individual’s voice matters and every government is held accountable.” His remarks were shared by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The OGP, a multi-stakeholder platform, encompasses 75 countries and 150 local governments, impacting over two billion people and engaging thousands of civil society organizations committed to promoting transparency, participation, inclusivity, and accountability in governance.
President Marcos is scheduled to give the keynote speech at the opening session on Thursday. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who chairs the Philippine-OGP Steering Committee, will open the event with her remarks. Aurora Chavez, Executive Director of Malayang Lapian ng mga Kababaihan Inc. and PH-OGP Co-Chairperson, will welcome attendees on behalf of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Additionally, Aidan Eyakuze, the incoming CEO of OGP, will address the assembly on the partnership’s future.
The summit will feature three key roundtable discussions: “Leadership in Action: Ambition and Collaboration for Strategy 2023-2028,” “Rising to the Challenge: The Road Ahead for Open Government,” and “A Regional Agenda for Open Government: How Economic Development, Democratic Security, and Open Government Intersect.”
The agenda also includes more than 20 breakout sessions and 35 side events, addressing critical areas such as youth engagement, climate change, economic development, policy formulation, justice, anti-corruption efforts, and digital transformation.