Launch of Open Government Initiative Conference in Cairo

November 1, 2011

Cairo: The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), together with the Ministry of State for Administrative Development and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (MSAD), kick off a three-day Open Government Initiative Conference November 1 at the Sofitel Gezirah.  The conference will address government ethics and transparency policies and is designed to launch new anti-bribery and civil service reform measures in Egyptian ministries.   

“The path to a more democratic Egypt started with many important positive measures, including a willingness to combat corruption and institutionalize a fair system across all government entities,” remarked Walter North, the USAID Mission Director, at the opening ceremony.  “I hope that this conference will be a real opportunity for the Government of Egypt, partners and institutions that share a commitment to accountability, transparency and open government to exchange best practices about what works and what doesn’t work around the world.” 

Ten key Egyptian government ministries along with numerous private sector and NGOs are participating in this conference, which is a joint effort with and response to the Government of Egypt’s desire to meet its commitments under The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) provisions to formulate a preventative anti-corruption system.