Metropolises committed to transparency
On December 9, to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, local and regional governments around the world joined the campaign #Commit2Transparency, which raises awareness of the negative effects of corruption, and about how to prevent it and fight it.
This year, the Community of Practice on Transparency and Open Government from UCLG, of which Metropolis is part of, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, launched a new edition of the campaign with the aim of renewing the commitment to work towards more transparent, accountable and participative cities and territories.
The campaign consisted of the promotion of messages by local governments on their role in the prevention and fight against corruption. Part of our membership has participated, and some others are already taking direct action and leadership in support of transparency and open government:
“Bogotá is a benchmark in Colombia as it is the first city in the country to have a Districtwide Public Policy on Transparency, Integrity and Non-tolerance of Corruption. Its objectives and actions commit the District Administration to work in coordination with the private sector and citizens to confront this scourge.”
Raúl Buitrago Arias, General Secretary of Bogotá
“Opening public information enables accountability and encourages neighbors to reuse data to create new developments and applications that improve the quality of public services.”
Fernando Straface, General Secretary of Buenos Aires
“The Municipal Autonomous Government of La Paz, committed to transparency in its management, approved the first Law on Access to Public Information in Bolivia that promotes active participation and social control. We know that these type of actions significantly reduces the risk factors of corruption.”
Luis Revilla Herrero, Mayor of La Paz
“Lisbon, as a modern and innovative city, has drawn up a clear strategy in what regards to transparency and anti-corruption. It has been one of the first municipalities to put into force a participatory budget as a way to further promote the engagement of its citizens on day-to-day municipal policies.
Transparency and access to open information is undoubtedly the best way to assure a free corruption management system.”
Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisboa
“Corruption is the virus that threatens all our policies of equality and solidarity. Many of us mayors work to carry out anti-corruption policies and we must feel strong and united in this fight.”
Manuela Carmena, Mayor of Madrid
“I am convinced that efficiency and transparency are the foundations of institutional trust. In order to build that bond with the citizenry, our bet is to strengthen a closer institutional tie, which reaches the territory and the people. I myself govern largely from the streets of my city, listening to the citizens and telling them what we do from the Mayor's Office with its resources. We have two accounts a year, we publish the hiring processes on the web, and through social networks we promote daily the advances the Administration makes. All of the above contributes to building trust.”
Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga, Mayor of Medellín
“Montevideo has an open data system, from which we make available to the citizenry the largest amount of public data handled by the Intendencia. We are convinced that betting on democracy implies betting absolutely on transparency. For this, it is essential that all citizens have access to the information and data corresponding to management. In this way, it is possible to build increasingly inclusive and transparent cities.”
Daniel Martínez, Mayor of Montevideo
“On behalf of the Council of Mayors and the Planning Office of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, we reaffirm our commitment to work in a responsible and participatory manner in regards to administrative management, promoting transparenc, as well as access to public information in order to build safe, prosperous, and inclusive cities.”
Ernesto Muyshondt, Mayor of San Salvador and General Coordinator of COAMSS
“In order to fight corruption, the promotion of active data transparency and the strengthening of links between government and civil society are the focus of our management and a personal priority of mine. São Paulo is one of the pioneer cities in open government in the world and since 2016 is part of the group of 20 subnational governments of the Open Government Partnership.”
Bruno Covas, Mayor of São Paulo
The UN General Assembly declared December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day, to be observed annually. The objective of this Day is to create awareness about the negative effects of corruption and the need to prevent and fight it. One of the principal international instruments available today is the United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in 2003 and ratified by 182 parties to date.
Click here for more information about the campaign.