The IRM is OGP’s accountability arm and the main means of tracking progress in participating countries. The IRM provides independent, evidence-based, and objective reporting to hold OGP members accountable and support their open government efforts. This is done through reports and timely recommendations during key moments in the action plan cycle.

The IRM is guided by, but not directly accountable to, the OGP Steering Committee. An International Experts Panel (IEP) directly oversees the IRM.

Participating governments are encouraged to produce an End-of-term Self-Assessment Report on the final results of reforms completed in the action plan, consultation during implementation, and lessons learned.

A country’s participation in OGP may be reviewed if it acts contrary to OGP process or contrary to OGP principles through the following review mechanisms which are overseen by the OGP Steering Committee.

• OGP Procedural Review: This mechanism is to ensure that all participating members at the national level act in accordance with the OGP process, from the timely delivery of Action Plans, to meeting minimum co-creation standards throughout action plan cycles, and making progress in the implementation of commitments. A country’s participation in OGP may be reviewed by the Steering Committee if it acts contrary to the OGP process. 

• OGP Eligibility Review: OGP member countries that fall below the minimum core eligibility for two consecutive years are automatically placed under “Eligibility Review.” This process includes enhanced support to help them meet the minimum criteria, at which point they can be removed from the list. The list of countries under review is published on the OGP website and updated regularly. While this alone does not lead to an inactive designation, it may prompt the Steering Committee to consider inactivity if a country also fails to meet other requirements for OGP participation, such as delivering action plans on time, meeting minimum co-creation standards, or making progress in implementing commitments.

• OGP Response Policy: This mechanism applies in exceptional circumstances only, when an OGP member country appears to be taking actions that undermine the values and principles of OGP, as articulated in the Open Government Declaration, in a way that demonstrates an egregious and blatant disregard for those values, and has the potential to be sufficiently damaging to OGP reputation.

• OGP Rapid Response Protocol: This mechanism allows OGP to respond swiftly to situations where there are allegations of serious violations of OGP principles by an OGP member country and a response required is urgent in nature, meaning that the concern cannot or will not be addressed in the short term by any of the other OGP accountability and compliance mechanisms.