Labour MP Chris Elmore has welcomed the UK’s new leadership role in the Open Government Partnership, saying greater transparency, accountability and public participation are essential to rebuilding trust in democratic institutions.
The UK was elected to co-chair the international Open Government Partnership alongside Laura Neuman of The Carter Center, succeeding the current leadership of Brazil and civil society co-chair Steph Muchai. The UK formally becomes lead government co-chair from 1 October 2026 until 30 September 2027.
Elmore said:
Open government is essential to rebuilding trust, strengthening democracy and delivering shared prosperity. That’s the ambition we’ll champion.
He also thanked Brazil and Muchai for their leadership of the partnership over the past year.
UK takes international leadership role
The Open Government Partnership brings together governments and civil society organisations from around the world to promote transparency, accountability and public participation in government.
The UK was one of the founding members of the initiative and was elected to its latest co-chair role by the OGP Steering Committee in November 2025.
Under the organisation’s leadership model, the UK has spent the past year as incoming government co-chair alongside Brazil before taking over as lead co-chair next month. Neuman will simultaneously become lead civil society co-chair.
Focus on democratic resilience and civic space
In its successful candidacy, the UK said it wanted to use the role to strengthen democratic resilience, protect civic space and promote more accountable and inclusive government internationally.
The Government also identified corruption, illicit finance, threats to independent media and restrictions on civil society as areas where stronger international cooperation is needed.
Britain has contributed £16.6 million in development assistance to the Open Government Partnership since 2012, including a recent £3.5 million programme supporting digital governance reforms.
New UK action plan being developed
The international role comes as Britain develops its seventh National Action Plan for Open Government, which is being produced jointly with civil society.
The Government says the process will focus on practical commitments around transparency, accountability and public participation, building on previous work covering areas including procurement, anti-corruption and aid transparency.
The UK’s forthcoming year as lead co-chair will therefore link domestic reform with a wider effort to promote open-government standards internationally.
Elmore puts trust at centre of agenda
Elmore has previously argued that open government is fundamentally about shifting power, strengthening accountability and giving civil society a meaningful role in decision-making.
Speaking earlier this year, he said the UK wanted to work with governments, local authorities and civil society organisations across the world to turn commitments on openness into practical change.
The UK’s co-chairmanship will now give it a prominent international platform to make that case — with Elmore arguing that openness and accountability are central to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democracy.
