Government Chancellor: Open Government – A Tool for Strengthening Trust in the State

On 7-9 October, Government Chancellor Laimonas Rudys took part in the global Open Government Partnership (OGP) meeting held in Vitoria, Spain. During high-level bilateral meetings, regional discussions and global dialogues, the Chancellor presented Lithuania's achievements and priorities in the field of open governance, discussed further steps for international cooperation and signed the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration. The declaration confirmed the commitment of the signatories - governments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders - to the principles of open governance, human rights, transparency and accountability.

Focus on cooperation with the OECD and support for Ukraine
During a bilateral meeting with Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Mary Beth Goodman, Mr Rudys discussed Lithuania's plans to develop open governance initiatives, strengthen citizen engagement in decision-making, and explore further directions for cooperation with the OECD, including joint initiatives in the fields of combating disinformation, development cooperation and support for Ukraine.

"Ongoing and firm OECD engagement in supporting Ukraine is of utmost importance. We support the OECD office in Kyiv and the OECD Country Programme for Ukraine, which provides evidence-based policy recommendations to aid the country's recovery, reconstruction and reform processes. These efforts are vital in helping Ukraine move towards European Union membership and closer integration with the OECD," said Mr Rudys.

The Chancellor stressed that Lithuania consistently implements OECD recommendations to strengthen public trust in state institutions. The meeting also highlighted Lithuania's leadership in combating disinformation, with OECD representatives commending the work of the Government Office's National Crisis Management Centre in countering disinformation and sharing best practices.

Lithuania - a leader in combating disinformation
In the discussion "Combating Disinformation", Mr Rudys emphasised that for Lithuania, disinformation is not a theoretical issue but a daily challenge the country has faced for many years. The Chancellor presented Lithuania's model for societal resilience, based on close cooperation between state institutions, the media, civil society and voluntary organisations. He underlined that the principles of open government - transparency, inclusiveness and accountability - are the most effective means of strengthening public trust and resilience within the information space.

"It is crucial to ensure a swift, transparent and coordinated response, strong institutions, an independent media and empowered citizens. These are the elements that make it possible to defend democracy and maintain public trust, even in the face of information attacks," noted Mr Rudys.

Openness - the foundation of trust in the state
During his meeting with Paul Braithwaite, OGP Head of Support for European Countries, Mr Rudys discussed Lithuania's successful participation in the Open Government Partnership and the country's priorities in this field for the near future. He noted that dialogue with society and its involvement in governance are among the priorities of the 20th Government of Lithuania.

"An open government is not only about striving for transparency - it is a tool for strengthening trust in the state. When citizens see that their voices truly matter, the state becomes stronger, and its decisions more resilient, grounded in arguments that society can understand," said the Chancellor.

At the Nordic+ high-level discussion "Open Government - a Driver for More Effective and Reliable Policies?", the Chancellor, together with representatives from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Scotland, Estonia, Latvia, Germany and the Netherlands, discussed how open governance principles can contribute to a more effective and trustworthy public sector. In his speech, he emphasised that the national vision "Lithuania 2050" was developed together with the public - around 2,500 people participated in the process - and that the civil resistance plan was drafted through dialogue with citizens. According to Mr Rudys, such examples of public engagement not only help ensure high-quality decisions but also strengthen people's trust in the state and their shared responsibility for its future.

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is an international initiative established in 2011, bringing together 75 countries, 150 local governments and thousands of non-governmental organisations. OGP aims to promote democracy, transparency, citizen participation in governance and institutional accountability for decision-making.

Last updated: 10-10-2025

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