How open data can help fight poverty - Forum:Blog Forum:Blog | The World Economic Forum

"All around the world, governments are recognizing the value and potential of Open Data. This is clear from the G8’s adoption of an Open Data Charter in June 2013 (with the G20 likely to follow suit), the growing number of countries adopting Open Data initiatives, and the 64 countries that have committed to Open Government Partnership action plans (most of which focus on Open Data). Kyrgyzstan has taken the first steps down this path. The Kyrgyz Government has been implementing the Open Government Policy and has already undertaken several measures, such as creating official web portals for state bodies including Open Budget, Electronic Procurement, Foreign Aid and many others. Through these websites, citizens can find information about public services and activities offered by government ministries and other state agencies. In 2013, based on a comprehensive analysis of Kyrgyz public information resources and in consideration of plans for leveraging ICT for good governance and sustainable development, the government designed an e-Government program and corresponding Action Plan for 2014-2017 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This program has passed through all domestic approval and public consultation procedures and has been approved by the Kyrgyz government on November 10, 2014. In addition, this year the UNDP provided support to set up an online network for the Prime Minister’s online community liaison offices. This network has 63 connection points nationwide and supplements the Kyrgyz government’s official website by strengthening relations between the government and civil society by informing citizens about ongoing reforms, as well as and challenges that have been resolved for the country’s communities and citizens. This is one of the existing examples of Kyrgyz government utilizing its openness for greater citizen engagement. The Kyrgyz government recognizes the role of open government and open data as a strong enabler within the e-government program to better engage citizens and improve service delivery as well as governance. Open Data has the potential to be a powerful tool to energize and extend some of the key policies for the transformation of the Kyrgyz Republic, building upon existing initiatives related to open government, investment climate and public sector reform. Other specific benefits of Open Data for Kyrgyz Republic include ..."