International Day for Universal Access to Information

Environmental information systems must be transparent, well-organised, and easily accessible, including for people with disabilities

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Environmental information systems must be transparent, well-organised, and easily accessible, including for people with disabilities

Following is the statement endorsed by the participants at the International Day for Universal Access to Information held in Manila, Republic of the Philippines on 29-30 September 2025.

IN accordance with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recalling key international instruments, including the 1992 Rio Declaration, especially Principle 10, and the 2015 Paris Agreement, in particular its Preamble, which affirms the integration of human rights in climate action, and its Article 12, which promotes cooperation to enhance climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information.

Underlining the importance of national and local implementation of the Rio Declaration (1992), we note the beneficial impact of its application in countries that are parties to the Aarhus Convention (1998) and the Escazú (2018) Agreement.

Further recalling the 1993 Vienna Declaration’s affirmation of the universality and interdependence of human rights, and its recognition that environmental harm disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.

Highlighting the Windhoek+30 Declaration, reaffirming information as a public good and underlining that its principles were endorsed by UNESCO’s 2021 General Conference.

Welcoming UN Human Rights Council Resolution 48/13 (2021) and UN General Assembly Resolution 76/300 (2022), recognising the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Acknowledging the Global Digital Compact (2024) as a forward-looking global framework that recognises the importance of responsible data governance in the context of environmental sustainability.