International Day for Universal Access to Information 2025

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International Day for Universal Access to Information 2025

The International Day for Universal Access to Information is celebrated annually on September 28th to promote the right of everyone to access information. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, in recognition of the importance of access to information for sustainable development, democracy, and equality.

International Day for Universal Access to Information Theme 2025

The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2025 is themed “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.” This theme shows the important role of digital technologies and open data in delivering timely and transparent access to environmental information, enabling citizens to make informed decisions for sustainable development. It also highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration to share knowledge on critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and environmental risks. Key Aspects of the theme are

Digital Age: Recognizes the growing impact of digital transformation on access to information.
Environmental Information: Focuses on accessing data related to climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and disaster risks.
Transparency and Accountability: Emphasizes that access to information strengthens transparent governance and ensures accountability in environmental management.
Citizen Empowerment: Highlights how information access empowers citizens and stakeholders to actively participate in environmental decision-making.
10th Anniversary: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official recognition of September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
UNESCO and Philippines Hosting: The 2025 IDUAI, including a Global Conference, will be hosted by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in Manila.

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What is Access to Information?

Access to Information refers to the right of every individual to actively seek, receive, and share information, which is a core element of freedom of expression and essential for building transparent, accountable, and inclusive societies.

Informed citizens can make better decisions, particularly during elections.
Understanding governance processes allows people to hold governments accountable for their actions and decisions.
Information is considered a form of power, making universal access a fundamental pillar of knowledge-based societies.
Universal access ensures everyone has the right to obtain and share information freely.
This right is closely connected to freedom of expression, reinforcing democratic values.
Media plays a key role in spreading information on public interest matters.
The effectiveness of media depends on its ability to seek and access information.
Universal access to information and press freedom are interconnected, together fostering transparency and accountability.

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History of International Day for Universal Access to Information

Access to Information refers to the right of every individual to actively seek, receive, and share information, which is a core element of freedom of expression and essential for building transparent, accountable, and inclusive societies.

On November 17, 2015, UNESCO officially designated September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
The day highlights the global importance of access to information, and since then, many civil society organizations and governmental bodies have celebrated it worldwide.
On September 28, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) formally adopted this day as an international observance.
UNESCO’s role: Through its intergovernmental programs, UNESCO provides a platform for global discussions and frameworks on access to information policies and practices.

The list of programs are:

Programme	Focus Areas for Expanding Access to Information (ATI)
International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)	– Strengthening open science – Promoting multilingualism in information access
Information for All Programme (IFAP)	– Enhancing ICT availability for disabled and marginalized communities – Advancing media and information literacy

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Significance of International Day for Universal Access to Information

This day is not just a day of celebration; it’s a call to action for individuals, governments, and organizations to:

Demand and protect the right to information.
Promote open access to government data and public records.
Invest in ICT infrastructure and digital literacy programs.
Support independent media and journalism.
Combat misinformation and disinformation through education and awareness raising.

What are the key takeaways from International Day for Universal Access to Information?

Below are the key takeaways from International Day for Universal Access to Information:

September 28, 2025, is observed as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The day promotes the fundamental right of every individual to access information.
It was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
The observance highlights the role of information in sustainable development, democracy, and equality.
Information is recognized as a catalyst for positive change.
The day emphasizes the need for universal access to empower individuals and build a more informed and equitable world.

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FAQs

Q1. When is the International Day for Universal Access to Information observed?

Ans. It is observed every year on 28th September.

Q2. Who proclaimed this day as an international observance?

Ans. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially proclaimed it in 2019, following UNESCO’s earlier designation in 2015.

Q3. What is the theme of International Day for Universal Access to Information 2025?

Ans. The 2025 theme is “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.”

Q4. Why is access to information important?

Ans. It empowers citizens to make informed decisions, strengthens democracy, ensures transparency, and promotes accountability in governance.

Q5. Who is hosting the 2025 global conference on International Day for Universal Access to Information 2025?

Ans. The 2025 event will be hosted by UNESCO and the Government of the Philippines in Manila.

Q6. What milestone does 2025 mark for this observance?

Ans. It marks the 10th anniversary since September 28 was first officially designated as the International Day for Universal Access to Information by UNESCO in 2015.

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