The Government of the United Kingdom and Ms Laura Neuman, Senior Advisor for the Office of the Vice-President of Peace Programs of The Carter Center, will serve as the next Co-Chairs for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) from 2026 to 2027, at the end of the tenure of the current co-chairs, Government of Brazil and Kenyan civil society leader, Stephanie Muchai.
Recall that Brazil and Steph Muchai launched their Co-Chair Agenda at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Brazil in November 2025, outlining an ambitious programme to strengthen democratic governance, nurture civic space, and demonstrate the real-world impact of open government reforms.
They will be succeeded in October 2026 by the UK and Ms Neuman.
Chris Elmore MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America, Caribbean), said: “As co-chair of the Open Government Partnership, the UK will stand up for democracy and civil society. That’s what we’re doing at home through the UK Open Government Network and our Defending Democracy Taskforce. These efforts stand side by side with our pivotal work to strengthen open government and democracy across the globe.”
“I look forward to leading our efforts to guide this vital partnership of countries, local governments, and civil society organisations, as we work together to address threats to democratic resilience, shrinking space for civil society, online disinformation, and the scourge of illicit finance,” he added.
On her part, Ms Neuman noted that: “It is a privilege to help guide the Open Government Partnership as we collectively work to protect civic space and ensure that people have a real voice in the decisions that shape their lives.”
She pledged that, “Together with governments and civil society allies, we will strive to show that transparency and accountability are the foundation of more just, resilient, and inclusive societies.”
The new lead and incoming Co-Chairs also pledged to steer the Partnership, in collaboration with the rest of the Steering Committee and the OGP CEO, toward a more open, inclusive, and hopeful future, for people and for the planet.
