KABUL - Senior Afghan officials, civil society and the media gathered at a one-day event in Kabul today to help further people’s right to access public information.

Organized by the Oversight Commission on Access to Information and UNESCO, the event included Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah delivering a key note address.

Abdullah told the 100 participants that government holds information not for itself, but on behalf of the people. Making information available is not only government responsibility, but ensures that citizens are not misinformed, he said.

Afghanistan’s Access to Information Law was adopted in 2015 and guarantees every citizen -not just the media- the right to access information held by public bodies.

“Citizens right to access information contributes to peace, promotes human rights, bolsters freedom of expression and remains an important factor in fighting corruption said UNAMA Head of Governance, Hassan Elhag” noting that access to information is “vital for Afghanistan to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16, ‘to achieve peace, justice and strong institutions” he said.

On 17 November 2015, UNESCO declared 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information, also known as the Right to Know Day.

Over seventy journalists and civil society participated in a series of workshops organized by the Oversight Commission and UNESCO to promote public awareness of the law.