Right to Access to Information

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 28, 2022: This year International Day for Universal Access to Information, “Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information” was commemorated by UNESCO in partnership with the European Union delegation to Pakistan, the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Canadian High Commission. The event involved more than 50 participants from different backgrounds, including civil society, youth, media professionals, academia, international organizations, and diplomatic missions.

 

UNESCO marking the “International Day for Universal Access to Information” (IDUAI) for the past seven years since 2015, adopting a resolution (38 C/70) to commemorate IDUAI every year. Access to Information is a fundamental human right. Artificial Intelligence and e-Governance can play a vital role in improving access to information in this digital world. By bridging the digital divide by giving citizens instantaneous access to tailor-made and accessible information and ensuring more efficient government services by enhancing transparency and accessibility.

 

This year in commemoration of IDUAI 2022, UNESCO also adopted the Tashkent Declaration about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 to promote ‘just, peaceful and inclusive societies, targeting SGD 16.10 which aims to ‘ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, by national legislation and international agreements, and also calls upon member states to adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policies that guarantee public access to information.

 

Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan Ms. Lianne Houben,   in her opening remarks said, “Access to accurate and timely information helps people make well-informed decisions about their safety and well-being, for themselves and their families. The governments have a corresponding obligation to widely disseminate important information and to address disinformation.”

 

Speaking at the occasion Mr. Muhammad Tariq Malik, Chairman, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in his keynote address shared the Authority’s significant role in adopting e-governance solutions in reaching populations living in inaccessible areas of the country.  Talking about digitalization he stated, “Digital Public goods must be developed with the input and perspective of people using ‘whole of society approach. The ethical use of AI that protects human rights is the right way. Digitalization that doesn’t empower ordinary people is just another technology theatre.”