The Economic and Social Impact of Open Government

Policy Recommendations for the Arab Countries

Despite progress, open government reforms remain uneven across the Arab region and are hampered by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report assesses the economic and social impact of open government based on experiences and good practices in OECD and Arab countries. It builds on the OECD’s extensive work in this field and provides a robust set of examples of legal and policy frameworks, governance arrangements, and successful initiatives on the ground. Based on this analysis, the report provides a series of policy recommendations for governments in the Arab region to promote open government.

Table of Contents

• Foreword    
• Abbreviations and acronyms    
• Executive summary and key messages    
• Open government: Concept, definitions and implementation    
• Impact of open government on economic, social and governance development    
• Open government in OECD countries: An overview of good practices    
• Open government in Arab States: An overview of good practices    
• Conclusions and recommendations for the Arab countries    
• ESCWA and OECD’s support for open government reforms in Arab countries  
• Further reading

News item:

ESCWA & OECD: Open government key to achieving transparency in Arab countries