Dear colleagues,
Earlier this week, members of the OGN Steering Committee met with government officials under the framework of the Multistakeholder Forum that will oversee the action plan process.
In the meeting, we covered the following areas:
1) Presentation of Open Government Civil Society Manifesto 2018
1a) Update on final published version of the Manifesto
1b) The Open Government NAP process in relation to civil society concerns regarding Brexit transparency
2) Finalising the Action Plan
2a) Plans for the consultation process; developing and approving the final plan; and launch
2b) Plans in devolved administrations
3) Consideration of the consultation draft
4) Role of MSF in scrutinising action plan implementation and engaging wider civil society
The notes from this meeting have now been published on the website, which you can read here:
https://www.opengovernment.org.uk/2018/06/14/uk-open-government-multistakeholder-forum-11-june-2018-meeting-notes/
Best
Andreas
Dear UK OGN,
Following last week’s Multistakeholder Forum, Tim Hughes as co-chair of the meeting, today published a blogpost on the civil society concerns around the commitments in the plan this time round, the lack of high-level political commitment to the process and plan, and the broader context of a culture of secrecy in government.
The UK needs ambitious open government commitments for challenging times – Tim Hughes
https://www.opengovernment.org.uk/2018/06/19/the-uk-needs-ambitious-open-government-commitments-for-challenging-times-tim-hughes/
Please read, tweet and disseminate widely!
Best
Andreas
Last week the UK government published its post-implementation review (PIR) of initial reporting by oil, gas and mining companies under the UK’s Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014: short report here, longer government paper here.
The review strongly endorses the UK regulations and states that this type of extractive industry transparency does not disadvantage business interests or competitiveness or incur undue costs. Civil society input and interviews are included/referenced. The report concludes that much good work has been done and reaffirms the UK’s high-profile international policy commitment in this area. No strengthening of the regulations is currently envisaged.
Suggested tweet: The UK government has endorsed a strong anti-corruption law for oil and mining companies. Decision-makers in the US and EU, where similar rules are coming under review, should take note: http://bit.ly/2LMAg6v #NoSecretDeals #ShellKnew
PWYP is considering further steps building on this endorsement from the UK government, including input into the current EU review of its extractives transparency legislation and further advocacy in other jurisdictions where equivalent laws are in place, under review or being campaigned for.
The UK government is required to conduct a review of its extractives transparency regulations every five years.
Miles
Miles Litvinoff
Coordinator | Publish What You Pay UK
mlitvinoff@pwypuk.org
t: +44 (0)1442 825060 | m: +44 (0)7984 720103 | skype: miles_litvinoff
http://www.publishwhatyoupay.org/members/united-kingdom/
@MilesLitvinoff @PWYPtweets
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Nice to have some good news @MilesLitvinoff!
Anna Rurka, President of Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, is seeking input from UK civil society about civil society and democratic participation in the UK, following her consultation visit to the UK in May.
All contributions are welcome. Please see email below including three specific questions and respond directly to Ms Rurka, cc’d.
Many thanks, Miles
Miles Litvinoff
Coordinator | Publish What You Pay UK
mlitvinoff@pwypuk.org
t: +44 (0)1442 825060 | m: +44 (0)7984 720103 | skype: miles_litvinoff
