NRGI Marks Fifth Anniversary of the Open Government Partnership

In September, the Open Government Partnership celebrated its five-year anniversary at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. NRGI chief operating officer and OGP steering committee member Suneeta Kaimal helped mark the occasion and appeared in two videos.

The first deals with the story of OGP, beginning with U.S. President Barack Obama’s announcement of the partnership in September 2011. From just eight countries, OGP has grown to include more than 70, as well as thousands of civil society organizations. Over 3,000 commitments have been agreed to by OGP members. But the work is just beginning.

“OGP will be as strong—or as weak—as we make it and allow it to be,” Kaimal says.

The second film gives viewers the origin story of OGP. Kaimal and other stakeholders describe their interest in and aspirations for the partnership. They also outline its applicability for civil society, governments and the world community.

“ At the time, I think, we were not sure what kind of traction OGP would receive at the [U.S.] domestic and international level,” Kaimal says.