JOINT STATEMENT OF THE INITIATIVE 2020 ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION AUTHORITIES

The members of the Initiative 2020 — Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia — gathered for their 7th annual high-level meeting, hosted by the Information Commissioner in Koper, Slovenia, from 19 to 21 October 2026. They exchanged experience and discussed current developments and challenges in the field of access to public information.

At the high-level meeting, the members presented and discussed on the current challenges. In particular, those associated with governance of information in the digital society, with access to archival records, regarding technological developments and the growing use of artificial intelligence tools, also used to create requests and appeals concerning access to public information.

The members agreed that the right of access to public information continues to constitute an important safeguard for transparency and accountability, enabling individuals, the media and civil society to obtain reliable information. In the context of the rapid development of modern technologies, particular attention should be paid to ensuring transparency in the use of artificial intelligence. This includes the information regarding implications for fundamental human rights and freedoms and the environment.

Particular attention was given to the increasing number of appeals, and in particular to the growing number of cases of administrative silence, an issue which the members have already raised at previous meetings. The members agreed that public authorities must build capacities to be able to respond in a faster pace of communication and in the changing modalities of administrative proceedings. At the same time, having regard to the specific legal and institutional frameworks of each member, legislative provisions should, where necessary, be reviewed and adapted in response to technological developments.

In this context, efforts should be undertaken to modernise and simplify the administrative procedures governing the exercise of the right of access to information. Such measures should seek to ensure effective and accessible remedies for the protection of the right of access to information. The objective should be to ensure that requests for access to information are dealt with in an expeditious and effective manner, thereby ensuring the effective exercise, in practice, of the fundamental human right of access to information in accordance with applicable international standards.

Some members drew attention to the increasing number of unsubstantiated and vexatious requests. They presented cases where the exercise of the right of access to public information does not correspond to the purpose and objectives the right is fulfilling. The members agreed that the principle of the bona fide and fair exercise of rights constitutes one of the fundamental principles applicable to proceedings concerning access to public information. Conduct by applicants that is detrimental to the rights and interests of third parties or to the public interest should not be afforded legal protection.

The authorities reaffirmed their shared commitment to transparency, accountability and independent decision-making as key elements in ensuring the effective exercise of the right of access to information. They agreed to continue their cooperation and professional exchange within the framework of Initiative 2020, with a view to further strengthening the effective exercise and protection of the right of access to information in the region.

The next annual meeting of the Initiative 2020 will be hosted by the North Macedonia authority in 2027.