Georgia Temporarily Suspended from the Open Government Partnership

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Steering Committee has officially suspended the Government of Georgia from the Partnership following concerns over legislative actions that undermine civic freedoms and fundamental rights. The suspension comes as part of the second phase of OGP’s Response Policy, triggered by Georgia’s inability to meet the original deadline for addressing recommendations issued in response to these concerns.

Georgia, a member of OGP since 2011 and a former co-chair of the Partnership in 2017–2018, has faced growing scrutiny over recent legislative measures. These include the controversial Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, passed in June 2024 and other legislative steps, that, according to respected international bodies, are fundamentally misaligned with principles of protecting civic space and fundamental freedoms. 

Given these developments and the government’s request for a deadline extension and the delayed implementation of OGP’s recommendations, the Steering Committee concluded that meeting the original November 6th deadline was no longer feasible. Consequently, the Steering Committee resolved to move forward with Stage Two Actions, which include the suspension of Georgia’s OGP membership until concerns are adequately addressed. This will also allow the Government of Georgia the additional time requested to honor its expressed commitment to meet the recommendations issued by the C&S Subcommittee:

• The withdrawal of current or proposed legislation that discriminates, stigmatizes, or hinders the freedom of expression and association of civil society organizations, media representatives and vulnerable groups.
• Safeguard freedoms of expression and assembly, the space for civil society and their ability to operate without physical and verbal attacks, including in election periods.

To regain active status in OGP, the Government of Georgia must adequately address the concerns that led to its suspension. The Government of Georgia has been invited to submit a work plan within the next six months, outlining clear milestones for implementation by December 31, 2025. In early 2026, the Steering Committee will assess actions taken to determine whether Georgia will be reinstated as an active OGP member or if the suspension will be made permanent, resulting in the termination of its OGP membership. If at any point during the suspension period the Steering Committee determines that the original concerns have been adequately addressed, Georgia will regain its active status and the Response Policy case will be closed.  

The OGP Steering Committee remains committed to supporting the Government of Georgia in addressing these critical issues and encourages the government to take swift action to address the concerns raised. OGP will also continue to work with Georgian civil society, international partners, and other stakeholders to monitor progress.

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For press queries or more information, please contact jose.perez@opengovpartnership.org. 

ABOUT OGP: 

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a unique global initiative that brings together governments and civil society to drive concrete commitments aimed at promoting transparency, increasing public participation, combating corruption, and leveraging technology to make governments more open, effective, and accountable to citizens worldwide.

Launched on September 20, 2011, during the UN General Assembly, OGP began with eight heads of state and an equal number of civil society leaders endorsing the Open Government Declaration and unveiling the first set of action plans, each containing specific commitments to advance open government reforms. Since then, OGP has expanded to 77 countries, 150 local governments, and thousands of civil society organizations. OGP’s Independent Reporting Mechanism ensures accountability by providing comprehensive, impartial reports that assess government progress on these commitments.