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President Obama: Well, thank you very much.
And thank you, Rakesh, for your introduction.
It is wonderful to see all of you here today.
I still remember your eloquent words when we launched
this effort three years ago, and I'm very grateful for
the role you've played and NGOs have played,
and all the leadership that is represented here has played
in making this a reality -- which is making
a real difference in the lives of so many countries
that are participating.
I want to thank my good friend, President Yudhoyono,
for your leadership and the example that Indonesia has tried
to set as a country that has transitioned from a difficult
past to a full-blown democracy.
And I also want to thank Minister Kuntoro for
hosting us here today.
Both of them have shown extraordinary leadership
in this partnership over the past several years.
President Yudhoyono will be -- this will be the last time
I think that we see each other in his official capacity,
but not in terms of our friendship.
And I think that it's fitting that he's participating here
today and leading it, because it reflects the legacy of his work.
And I also want to acknowledge my dear friend,
President Peña Nieto of Mexico, as well as President Zuma
of South Africa, who have agreed to lead the partnership
in the coming year.
I'm thrilled to see so many leaders from civil society --
men and women who stand up for equality and opportunity
and justice and freedom every single day.
And it's not always easy to do.
Yesterday, I had a chance to speak about the importance
of supporting civil society across the globe --
because throughout history, progress has always been
driven by citizens who have the courage to raise
their voices, and imagine not just what is but what
might be, and that are willing to work to bring about
the change that they seek.
Three years ago, the United States and seven other nations
launched this Open Government Partnership to represent the
other side of that equation -- because when citizens demand
progress, governments need to be able to respond.
And in a new millennium flush with technology that
allows us to connect with a tweet or a text,
citizens rightly demand more responsiveness,
more openness, more transparency, more
accountability from their governments.
In just three short years, this partnership has grown
from eight nations to 64.
It has helped to transform the way governments
serve their citizens.
Together, we have made more than 2,000
commitments -- improving how governments serve more than
2 billion people worldwide.
More citizens are petitioning their governments online,
and more citizens are participating
directly in policymaking.
More entrepreneurs are using open data to innovate
and start new businesses.
More sunlight is shining on how tax dollars are spent.
And more governments are partnering with civil society
to find new ways to expose corruption
and improve good governance.
Here in the United States, we've been trying to lead by example.
We're working to open up and share more data with
entrepreneurs so they can pursue the new innovations
and businesses that create jobs.
We're working to modernize our Freedom of Information Act
process so that it's easier for Americans to use,
so that they can see the workings of their government.
And today, I'm proud to announce a series of new commitments
to expand and broaden our open government efforts.
We're going to work more closely with the health care sector
and state and local law enforcement -- not just
to improve public health and safety, but to better protect
the privacy and personal information
of the American people.
We're going to improve transparency with our upgraded
website, USAspending.gov, to make it easier for Americans
to access and understand how the federal government spends
their tax dollars.
We're going to collaborate more closely with the private sector
and the best minds in our country so that when we design
websites or technologies to better serve the public,
we're benefitting from the best of American ingenuity
and the latest technologies.
And because we know that education is a cornerstone
for progress -- if we want good governance,
we need an educated and informed citizenry -- we're going to
do more to help people in other countries, especially students,
access the incredible online educational tools
and resources that we have here in the States.
In addition, as part of our leadership in the global fight
against corruption, we intend to partner with American businesses
to develop a national plan to promote responsible
and transparent business conduct overseas.
We already have laws in place; they're significantly
stronger than the laws of many other countries.
But we think we can do better.
And we think that ultimately it will
be good for everybody, including business.
Because when they know there's a rule of law,
when they don't have to pay a bribe to ship their goods
or to finalize a contract, that means they're more likely
to invest, and that means more jobs
and prosperity for everybody.
As we look ahead, I believe that continuing this global fight
against corruption has to remain a central focus
in this partnership.
It's an area where we can expand our efforts.
Corruption is not simply immoral.
From a practical perspective, it siphons off billions of dollars
from the public and private sectors that could be used to
feed children or build schools, or build infrastructure
that promotes development.
It also promotes economic inequality.
It facilitates human rights abuses.
It fuels organized crime, and terrorism,
and ultimately instability.
Passing anti-corruption laws is necessary -- and then those laws
have to be enforced, so that those who steal from their
people are held accountable, and so citizens have faith that
the system is not rigged and that justice will be done.
We need to do more to track down the proceeds of corruption
and prevent our legal and financial systems from becoming
safe havens for money gained through bribes or fraud.
And we need to do more to ensure transparency and accountability
in industries that can be especially vulnerable
to corruption, such as the extraction of natural resources.
That's not just good for businesses,
it helps support development in countries that depend
on these industries for growth and for jobs.
In all of these efforts as governments,
we're going to have to deepen our partnerships
with civil society.
As I announced yesterday, I've directed the U.S.
government to elevate its engagement with civil society
groups around the world.
After all, the Open Government Partnership is not simply
a partnership between governments; it's between
governments and their citizens.
At times, this can be frustrating.
At times, it can be contentious.
I think it's fair to say that all governments think
they're doing what's right, and don't like criticism.
And it's shocking to say that not all criticism
from civil society is always fair.
But, as leaders, making our governments more open does
mean that as a consequence of that criticism,
there's self-reflection.
And it means that questions are asked that
might not have otherwise been asked.
And that groupthink doesn't develop inside of a government,
and that people don't start as easily rationalizing behavior
that, if shown in the light of day, people would object to.
As we've seen through the leadership of Rakesh and so many
others who are here today, open and honest collaboration with
citizens and civil society over the long term -- no matter how
uncomfortable it is -- makes countries stronger and it makes
countries more successful, and it creates more prosperous
economies, and more just societies,
and more opportunity for citizens.
So the achievements of these first three years are an example
of the kind of steady, step-by-step progress that
is possible for people and countries around the world.
No country has all the answers.
No country has perfect practices.
So we have to continue to find new ways to learn from each
other, to share best practices, and most importantly,
to turn the commitments that we've made into real and
meaningful action that improves the daily lives of our citizens.
I'm confident that if we do that,
we can ensure that we're living up to the basic truth
that governments exist to serve the people,
and not the other way around.
Let me just close by saying this: When we started this,
we didn't know if it was going to work.
And I could not be more proud to see the enormous changes
that are taking place all around the globe --
in small increments sometimes.
It's not flashy.
It doesn't generate a lot of headlines.
But the work you're doing here is a steady wave of better
government, and a steady wave of stronger civil societies.
And over time, that means that not only will individual
countries be stronger, and not only will the citizens of those
countries have greater opportunity and are less prone
to experience injustice, but that translates into a world
that is more just and more fair.
And that's the kind of world that I want
to leave my children.
So congratulations on the good work.
But don't let up -- as I'm sure you won't,
because I know some of you.
(laughter)
Thank you very much.
(applause)