World Bank official to lead Open Government Partnership
A World Bank official will this year take up the leadership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the international initiative to promote government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens.
Sanjay Pradhan, the World Bank’s vice president for change, leadership and innovation, will take up his post as OGP executive director this spring.
He said: “My long-standing passion for how open government can transform the lives of millions around the globe has led me directly to OGP.
“OGP represents a historic opportunity to advance the open government agenda through a unique platform built on peer learning and the collaboration between government and civil society around the world.”
Previous to his current role, Pradhan was vice president of the World Bank Institute where he championed an open development approach centered around knowledge, learning, collaboration and innovation.
He has also served as the World Bank’s director for governance, where he led the development of the bank’s governance and anticorruption strategy.
Prior to that, Pradhan, who holds a PhD and a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, has done research in developing countries in South Asia, Europe and Central Asia, and East and West Africa.
Alejandro Gonzalez, who co-chairs one of OGPs steering committees, said: “In his former senior position at the World Bank, Sanjay has proven to be a thought leader and practitioner in open government since before the phrase was even coined.
“He is a trusted and experienced interlocutor with both governments and civil society around the world”.
And Ayanda Dlodlo, co-chair of another OGP steering committee, said: “I am confident that through Sanjay’s leadership, the OGP will advance its role as a vehicle for transforming the lives of millions around the world through open, parliamentary governance. “Sanjay has an ideal mix of vision, leadership, and management skills to lead OGP to fully realize its tremendous potential.”
The Open Government Partnership formally launched in September 2011, when the eight founding governments – Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States – endorsed the Open Government Declaration, and announced their country action plans.
In just two years, OGP has welcomed the commitment of 57 additional governments to join the partnership.
In total, OGP participating countries have made over 1,000 commitments to make their governments more open and accountable.
About Winnie Agbonlahor
Winnie is news editor of Global Government Forum. She previously reported for Civil Service World - the trade magazine for senior UK government officials. Originally from Germany, Winnie first came to the UK in 2006 to study a BA in Journalism & Russian at the University of Sheffield. She is bilingual in English and German, and, after spending an academic year abroad in Russia and reporting for the Moscow Times, Winnie also speaks Russian fluently.
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